Bendigo Advertiser | EAGLEHAWK escaped from Camp Reserve with a one-point win over Castlemaine in their Bendigo Football League clash on Saturday.
The Magpies had led at each of the first three breaks, but not when it counted after the Hawks kicked three goals to one in the final term to prevail 9.15 (69) to 10.8 (68) and improve to 4-1.
“Our skill level wasn’t up to the standard it needed to be today, we turned the ball over in crucial parts of the ground and missed some very gettable shots, particularly early in the game,” Hawks coach Luke Monaghan said.
“Their pressure and gameplan was fantastic, but we kept working away and were able to get the win.”
The Hawks had led by seven points late in the game, before Castlemaine’s Jarryd Graham goaled from a free-kick to cut the deficit to one point in what was the final score of the game.
Sean Williams was the most dangerous forward for the Hawks, kicking six of their nine goals to be one of the best players.
Cameron Milward through the midfield, Glenn Daly, who was switched onto Castlemaine’s looming match-winner Klai Jermyn, Ben McPhee and Brodie Collins were others in the best for the Hawks, who ended the game with Matt Gretgrix, Brodie Filo and Williams on the bench with what Monaghan said was soreness.
Jermyn showed plenty of tricks for the Magpies to bag seven of their 10 goals.
James O’Brien continued his strong form through the middle, while key backman David Stephens, Graham and ruckman Tom Godsell were also prominent for the Magpies, who were missing a large chunk of their spine - Mark Ramsey (knee), Niko Cakitaki (knee) and Jackson Hood (overseas).
“The effort was outstanding, and it’s obviously very disappointing to fall so short against a side that I really rate,” Magpies coach Shane Robertson said.
“It was probably only a bit of inexperience in the end as to why we fell short, but the steps we’re taking forward is a positive.”
The Magpies are now 2-3, with Saturday the second of their defeats by a single-figure margin.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day the Magpies forfeited the under-18s game because of a lack of numbers.
“That was bitterly disappointing,” Robertson said.
“Luckily, we were able to give our kids who have been training regularly a run around in the reserves, but it’s not a good look for the footy club.
“It’s a sign of the time with numbers and I think it’s an embarrassment for the kids who left the club and have gone out to minor league clubs because of the age difference to play easier footy and then come back in next year.
“To see their home club not put a side on the field is really disappointing.”
