Bendigo Advertiser |EAGLEHAWK is not far away from challenging for another BFNL premiership, according to coach Luke Monaghan.
The Hawks were bundled out of the BFNL finals race by Sandhurst in Sunday’s first semi-final leaving Monaghan to ponder what might have been in 2015.
The Hawks didn’t beat a top three team in seven attempts this year, but weren’t helped by injuries to key players at different times throughout the season.
Monaghan said the future was bright for the Hawks if they could maintain their core group of players.
“We’ve made some progress in the last couple of years,’’ Monaghan said.
“Last year we made the elimination final and played a lot of good kids.
“This year we recruited a little better, were able to compete better with the top teams and made the first semi-final.
“I don’t think we’re too far away. If we can keep developing these kids and top up with a couple of recruits them we can take the next step.
“There’s good depth at the club. Our reserves are playing good footy and are in the preliminary final and there’s more good kids coming through the under-18s.
“We’ve got the core there, but like every club we need a bit more top-end talent if we’re going to challenge teams like Strathfieldsaye.”
After five years in charge Monaghan was unsure if he’d remain senior coach for 2016.
“Nothing is confirmed as yet. We’ll let this season settle and see what happens from there,’’ Monaghan said.
“I’ll sit down with the club and see what’s best for the club.”
After doing his coaching apprenticeship with the Eaglehawk under-18s and as an assistant with the Bendigo Pioneers, Monaghan took over the senior coaching job at Eaglehawk in 2011.
Despite a plethora of senior players leaving the club at the end of 2010, Monaghan led the Hawks into the grand final in his first year in charge.
The Hawks lost the grand final to Golden Square by 135 points.
They finished sixth in 2012 before finishing second on the ladder at the completion of the 2013 season.
The Hawks made it to the preliminary final in 2013 where they lost by 19 points to Strathfieldsaye.
Damien Lock
Club favourite Damien Lock was Monaghan’s assistant this year and is seen as the likely replacement should Monaghan not take on the job again.
Lock, a premiership player with Eaglehawk, has senior coaching experience in the Heathcote District Football League with Colbinabbin and North Bendigo.
