RETURNING premiership coach Matt Menser is confident his nest of young Hawks will thrive in their A-grade baptism of fire after teenage talent Ned Evans bagged a hat-trick in Henwood Park's season-opening win over Young last weekend.
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Evans, one of six players aged under 18 in a new look, youth-laden squad, celebrated his A-grade run-on debut with three goals as the Hawks avenged last year's finals loss to the Lions.
Menser was player-coach when the club won the premiership in 2017, but will concentrate solely on coaching after stepping back into a playing role last season.
The Hawks have lost a handful of seasoned campaigners, including midfielder Carl Pideski (retired) and striker Jake Ploenges (Wanderers), but Menser is confident the youngsters will gradually improve as they adjust to the step up from reserve grade.
"They're all quite capable, it's just a case of playing for 90 minutes and getting used to playing at that level week-in, week-out," Menser said.
"Ned got a hat-trick to start the year and he's played a couple of games off the bench before, but it was probably his first start leading the line.
"Because there's such a large group of them (young players) coming up together it definitely helps, they can bond together and they were grand finalists in reserves last year.
"On the weekend we had six players under 18, it will take them a while to adjust but come the end of the year we'll be good."
The victory over the Lions was a timely confidence boost before they clash with competition heavyweights and last year's grand finalists Wagga United at Rawlings Park on Saturday night.
Menser said the clash against far more experienced opposition will give them a more accurate gauge of how they're travelling.
"They were grand finalists last year and between them and Lake Albert they'll be the favourites to win (the title)," Menser said.
"This week's definitely a different prospect, if we can compete with them for 90 minutes that would be a good result for us.
"They'll be far more experienced, they've probably got players that have played more first grade games in Wagga than our whole team combined.
"They were grand finalists last year and between them and Lake Albert they'll be the favourites to win (the title).
Saturday's clash kicks off at Rawlings Park's no.5 field at 7pm.
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