A captain’s knock from Ben Absolum inspired East Wagga-Kooringal to an important win at Temora on Saturday which lifted the Hawks into the Farrer League top five.
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On a horrendous day out for the Kangaroos, EWK served warning that their premiership defence will be on in earnest in the back half of the season, with an 11.10 (76) to 8.9 (57) win at Nixon Park.
Hawks coach Gavin McMahon isn’t concerned about the ladder but didn’t back away from the importance of their third win.
“Massive, if we’d ended up at five (losses) and two (wins)… geez, you’re starting to really battle,” McMahon said.
EWK excitement was in stark contrast to the Kangaroos’ blues, who were facing virtual mission impossible after the main-break.
Still goalless, they were racking up all the stats they didn’t want, with seven behinds, three injuries, two yellow cards and one report
The Hawks had led from late in the first quarter, but it was against the run of play, as Temora failed to take advantage of a wealth of possession up forward.
But Absolum showed the way in the second with pressure and possession, leading to a swing in momentum
“When there’s a lot of pot-shots taken at your footy club, there’s nothing better than your captain standing up and delivering,” McMahon said.
EWK capitalised with three goals, while Temora missed another three opportunities, and then their problems compounded.
Defender Liam Pattison was gone with a back injury, Kane Peeters was yellow carded and reported for striking, and Luke Gerhard was stretchered off with torn ankle ligaments.
An off-the-ball scuffle between Hawks defender Tim Smith and Roos forward Matt Harpley saw them cop yellows, and Temora didn’t have a fit or legal player to send on.
With Sam Jackson copping a head knock, Temora played the first four minutes of the second half with just 16 men, the next 10 minutes with 17 players, and the rest of the game without a bench.
Down by 22 points at half-time, the Roos didn’t lie down, and after consecutive goals in the middle of the third quarter narrowed the margin to 14 points.
But with Nick Hull dominant in the ruck, forward Billy Carey on his way to three goals, and Absolum kicking a second inspirational goal, the Hawks set sail for victory.
Midway through the final term they’d opened up a 43-point advantage against a tiring Temora.
Still, the Roos had some fight in them, mounting an unlikely challenge as they kicked the last four goals of the game, with the help of some quirky umpiring calls.
But the Hawks weren’t to be denied.
Chris Gordon and Luke Cuthbert were also influential while mid-season signing Carey is a more-than-handy acquisition up forward alongside Chris Jackson and James Hodges.
“He is a nice addition, a ripping fella too – keen and enthusiastic,” McMahon said.
“And he’s hungry for the contest and a bit of body contact so that’s exactly what you need.”
Brayden Ambler and Kieren Shea were tireless in trying to lift Temora off the canvas but it wasn’t enough to avoid the Roos third loss of the year.