Hawks soar to victory in Pat Cronin match

EAGLEHAWK claimed a fifteen-point victory against Sandhurst as both clubs contested the Pat Cronin Foundation Match in Saturday’s finale to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s sixth round.

It was a big day as an important message was spread by the Pat Cronin Foundation about the dangers and effects of the ‘coward punch’.

Players wore yellow armbands in honour of Pat Cronin who was a talented footballer with Lower Plenty but had his life cut shot at 19 when struck during a pub brawl.

For the Hawks and Dragons there was plenty to play for in a round which also marked the important role umpires play.

A win would keep Eaglehawk in touch with the top three, and the Dragons were chasing a hat-trick of victories and to keep the heat on those in fourth and fifth place.

Eaglehawk led 42-35 at half-time and a high-scoring and highly skilled contest kept rolling on.

The Travis Matheson-coached Borough added 6.4 to 5.3 in a vital third term.

Defences took control in the final quarter which the Hawks won, 15-14, to complete a 92-87 victory.

The Eaglehawk welcomed back premiership player Sean Williams to its attack and he kicked three goals, as did the classy Liam Marciano.

After missing several games because of injury, Darcy Richards was also back in attack for the Hawks and kicked two majors. A feat matched by Shaun Knott.

It was a different looking attack for the Ash Connick-coached Sandhurst in which Joel Wharton led the way on a match-high five goals.

Eaglehawk’s best players were Noah Wheeler, Kobe Lloyd, key defender Oscar Madden, ruck-rover Billy Evans, Zack Bulger and Dillon Williams.

Best for the Dragons were Alex Wharton, Noah Walsh, Lee Coghlan, Joel Wharton, James Coghlan and ruckman Hamish Hosking.

Not named in Sandhurst’s team on Thursday night because of a Play HQ system glitch, Lee Coghlan did play and racked up plenty of possessions.

Donations and merchandise sales at the ground play a big part in the Pat Cronin Foundation continuing to spread such a vital message to clubs, schools, and across the community.