The Hawks managed to keep the competition newcomers goalless on the way to a big win, 18.21 (129) to 0.2 (2) at Gumly Oval.

EWK started sensationally with a 10-goal opening term but things got scrappier as the day went on.

They still gave Barellan nothing, and continued to hit the scoreboard regularly enough to bring up a big win in wet conditions.

Hawks forward Marc Geppert continued his big start to the year with a 10-goal haul in a best-on-ground display.

EWK coach Gavin McMahon was unsure how much to take from the big win.

“It’s hard to know what to take from it,” McMahon said.

“We jumped out of the blocks well, executed well and in the first quarter, even though it was wet, I was really pleased to get off to a good start and we played some brilliant footy.

“We backed off in the second quarter, which I wasn’t real happy about but the rain was coming down too, which evens it up.”

Scott Burge and Nathan Scott were two others to shine for EWK.

Full-time

EWK (129)

10.1 12.8 14.15 18.21

BARELLAN (2)

0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Goals: (EWK) M Geppert 10, Joe Scott 3, N Hull, S Smith, C Pullen, B Absolum, N Scott.

Best: (EWK) M Geppert, S Burge, N Scott, C Jackson, S Smith; (Barellan) n/a.