Border Mail |
MOST people thought Wangaratta Rovers captain Tyson Hartwig was going to have his hands full yesterday.
But not with the footy.
With North Albury’s twin towers Adam Prior and Daniel Leslie destroying Wodonga just over a week ago, the Hawks faced a battle as to which of the Hoppers’ star forwards their main man in defence would go to.
It was a potentially game-defining call for Wangaratta Rovers coach Mick Caruso to make.
But with Leslie down back and Prior well down on the day, Hartwig ended up running riot in the Hawks thrilling eight-point win over North Albury yesterday.
Caruso said pre-game he expected Leslie to play forward and that call wasn’t shown to be bluff when Hayden Lowe started the match on Prior.
Hartwig, who quickly realised Leslie was down the other end, went straight to Prior after he booted the first goal of the game and the two-time Strang medallist managed just two more for the rest of the day.
Importantly, neither of those goals came in the second half.
In a low-scoring scrap, Hartwig’s poise, strength and smarts in defence was the major factor in getting Rovers over the line.
Caruso found it hard to disagree.
“Tyson was terrific,” he said.
“He took some fantastic contested marks.
“He not only took marks in those situations but was able to mop up himself and use the ball quite well out of the back line.
“His leadership was terrific.”
The performance of Hartwig, who is in his first year as captain of the Hawks, was one of few highlights in a match largely devoid of positives.
Both teams butchered the ball, both teams wasted opportunities in front of goal when they had the aid of a strong breeze and both have plenty to work on if they want to get anywhere near Yarrawonga, Albury and Lavington this year.
Hartwig’s game was exceptional, but the competition’s premier defender certainly had help on the day.
Karl Norman smashed first-gamer Josh Wilson in the ruck while Aiden Yelland collected 33 disposals and pumped the ball inside 50 11 times in his first game for the year.
He also led the Hawks in clearances.
Ash Pollard was electric, while Sam Caruso lifted in the midfield as in-form teammate Jamie Sheahan was well held by North Albury duo Adam Rowland and Brandon Ryan.
Jason Akermanis refused to blame the defeat on Jason Gram’s hamstring injury that saw him play no role in the second half.
The Hoppers squandered a three-goal half-time lead and gave up four goals against the breeze in a match-turning third quarter from the Hawks.
“Every time we have Grammy he plays a half and goes off,” Akermanis said.
“The third quarter’s not really my issue, either.
“We just had a lot of dumb kicks to two on ones (and) didn’t execute well enough.”
