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<\/p>\n
Hobbs further praised 17-year-old centre Eden Clifford \u2013 recruited from South Bendigo \u2013 as having showed improvement each week.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Especially for the younger girls, it’s a lot to learn.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“I can see the young girls improving every week.”<\/p>\n
With Castlemaine not fielding an A-grade team, the Hawks will have the bye this weekend, ahead of a round seven showdown against Sandhurst.<\/p>\n
“It will be a test and obviously a challenge against one of the best,” Hobbs said.<\/p>\n
“It is annoying having come off a break and beating Strathfieldsaye to run into another break.<\/p>\n
“As I’m sure most sides are feeling, it’s hard to get any momentum going.<\/p>\n
“You want to keep playing, especially the young girls when they are learning.”<\/p>\n
Round six will be headlined by the clash between perennial powerhouses Sandhurst and Gisborne at the QEO.<\/p>\n
The Dragons have not played since their 10 May win over South Bendigo, while the break has been even longer for Gisborne.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs had the bye during the split round and have not played since 3 May, when they defeated Eaglehawk.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n