Hawks progress pleases Hobbs

EAGLEHAWK coach Jannelle Hobbs says she is seeing definite signs of progress from the Hawks in the early part of the 2025 BFNL season.

In what promises to be an intriguing season-long battle for fourth and fifth spots, the Hawks moved into fourth with a hard-fought 37-33 win over Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park last Saturday.

While the Hawks led throughout the contest, they had to withstand several surges of momentum from the Storm, including one late in the game when Eaglehawk was reduced to six players for a couple of minutes.

Hobbs was pleased and relieved to bank what she declared as an important four points.

“We needed that win, so we’ll happily take those points,” she said.

“It was a must-win for us – and for them as well really – how things are shaping.

“The Storm played some good netball…it was a good tight game, with the courts a little slippery.

“They certainly made us earn the win.”

The win was highlighted by strong performances by wing attack Gracie Berryman, Allira Holmes in defence, and goalers Abbey McLean and Chloe Langley.

Recruited from Elmore, McLean was promoted from A-reserve early in the season as cover for the injured Lucy Morcom and has held her spot in the lineup.

“Lucy played some A-res (on Saturday), but Abbey is playing so well that you can’t drop her,” Hobbs said.

“She has really stepped up and is thriving.

“She shot some beautiful long bombs.

“Her and Chloe seem to combine really well. It’s good to have competition for spots and some depth.”

Hobbs further praised 17-year-old centre Eden Clifford – recruited from South Bendigo – as having showed improvement each week.

“We are making good progress. It is a whole new structure the girls are learning, so it is going to take a while,” she said.

“Especially for the younger girls, it’s a lot to learn.

“But it’s coming together each week. Hopefully by the second half of the year the combinations will all be familiar and it will all come together.

“I can see the young girls improving every week.”

With Castlemaine not fielding an A-grade team, the Hawks will have the bye this weekend, ahead of a round seven showdown against Sandhurst.

“It will be a test and obviously a challenge against one of the best,” Hobbs said.

“It is annoying having come off a break and beating Strathfieldsaye to run into another break.

“As I’m sure most sides are feeling, it’s hard to get any momentum going.

“You want to keep playing, especially the young girls when they are learning.”

Round six will be headlined by the clash between perennial powerhouses Sandhurst and Gisborne at the QEO.

The Dragons have not played since their 10 May win over South Bendigo, while the break has been even longer for Gisborne.

The Bulldogs had the bye during the split round and have not played since 3 May, when they defeated Eaglehawk.

Round 5 recap: Kangaroo Flat 73 def Golden Square 22; Eaglehawk 37 def Strathfieldsaye 33; South Bendigo 32 lost to Sandhurst 75 (played 10 May).

Round 6: Sandhurst v Gisborne; Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye; Golden Square v South Bendigo.