Hawks ready for sternAnzac Day test against Bloods

EAGLEHAWK co-coach Travis Matheson says the Hawks will embrace the challenge of tackling a red-hot South Bendigo in a standalone Anzac Day blockbuster at the QEO.

The clash under lights will pit two of the league’s three only undefeated teams after two rounds.

The Hawks warmed up with a 132-point win over Kangaroo Flat at Canterbury Park on Good Friday, while South Bendigo served further notice of its intentions of a much-improved season with a stirring 27-point victory against last season’s runners-up at Gisborne.

South Bendigo’s bright early season form has not gone unnoticed at Eaglehawk, with Matheson anticipating a stern test against the rejuvenated Bloods in their marquee Anzac Day clash.

“We’ll definitely have our work cut out – it will be very much a finals-like atmosphere,” he said.

“Everyone I know associated with Bendigo footy seems to be coming along for a look. It will be a great spectacle.

“The raps on them (South Bendigo) are high and they have the form early on in the piece to back it up.

“I suppose with two rounds down, we are still looking to improve in all aspects of our game. We are looking forward to the contest.”

As the host club, South Bendigo will partner with the Bendigo RSL to raise funds in support of veterans and their families with initiatives throughout the day.

Matheson gave his unequivocal support to the concept of an Anzac Day clash under lights.

“I played in a couple back in the Central Murray, but they probably weren’t standalone games like this one,” he said.

“But I am really expecting this one to be like a final.

“Anything to pump up the BFNL we’ll fully support.”

While thrilled to emerge with a big win over Kangaroo Flat, Matheson intimated the Hawks were still a work in progress, with some tinkering on their game still to be done.

“It was a scrappy old game – pretty congested in our forward line for most of the day – a little bit of a tricky breeze,” he said.

“We probably weren’t as clean in that end of our ground as we would have liked, but sometimes you have those weeks.

“We’ll bank the win and move on to a big week this week.”

Matheson said the Hawks were eagerly looking forward to a stretch of tough games against South Bendigo, Gisborne, Strathfieldsaye, Castlemaine and reigning premiers Sandhurst, which would give them a clearer indication of where they sat in the scheme of things.

“We had a bit of an interrupted back end to our pre-season, so to get those first couple of games playing together has been good, to get a feel how the new guys play,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting into a run of what looks like a tough run of games.”

One of the most pleasing aspects of the Hawks’ two wins for Matheson and his co-coach Clayton Holmes is the form of their season 2025 recruits.

“Tyh Evans has been really good. His finish on the ball and his ability to execute by foot has been really impressive,” he said. “Jack Donat has looked good off half-back and has given us something a bit different with how we move the ball from there.

“And Joel Budarick has looked pretty solid through the middle, working with Billy (Evans) and Ben Thompson as well.”

Evans was at his blistering best against the Roos, finishing the contest with three goals and a game-high 37 possessions.

In other round three matches – to be played on Saturday – Gisborne (1-1) meets Strathfieldsaye (0-2) at Gardiner Reserve; Golden Square (0-2) hosts unbeaten Sandhurst at Wade Street; and Kangaroo Flat (0-2) makes the trek to Camp Reserve to play Castlemaine (1-0) after the Magpies took care of Golden Square by 50 points on Good Friday.