HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR is sitting entrenched in the top five of the Mininera and District Football League (MDFL) 2024 senior football competition with five wins after the first seven rounds and is eyeing off a finals campaign in late August.

Currently the Eagles sit fourth on the ladder equal on points with third placed Woorndoo-Mortlake and fifth placed Ararat Eagles with all three teams having won five games.

Of the nine games remaining, Hawkesdale-Macarthur plays each of the other current top five teams, plus it plays Lismore-Derrinallum (sixth) twice, and Glenthompson-Dunkeld which is desperate to finish with a finals berth in a tough draw to finalise the season.

Two teams remain undefeated after the first seven rounds of the MDFL, and the Eagles performed well against both in their only losses to date, going down by four goals to second placed Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and being beaten by 44 points by league leading Penshurst.

That loss to Penshurst is the smallest margin the Bombers has been held to with the other six victories being well over 100 points.

The Eagles also defeated reigning premiers Tatyoon, in round five by 10 points as the Hawks came roaring back in the final quarter only to be well held by Hawkesdale-Macarthur.

Led by playing coach Xavier McCartney who is lining up at centre half forward, the Eagles have a potent forward line that is kicking straight and posting winning scores.

Lachlan Glare is leading the way on the goal kickers list for the club as he provides a focal point at full forward, but Patrick Sinnott, McCartney, and Joseph Forrest are all playing their roles to perfection in support.

The midfield of Jack Wortley, Brady Purcell, and Sam Hodgins are moving the ball to the outside runners with Archie Buck, Simon Sharrock, and Joshua Down moving the ball to the forwards with pace and precision.

Oliver Wortley is on holidays from his university and should be available for the next three rounds which will only make the team stronger.

The back line has performed their roles well with the ball being turned over and sent back upfield as Lachlan Tanner at fullback and Jaxen Dalton at centre half back are setting the standard for the rest of the backs to emulate.

Sam Hodgins has been named in the best players for the Eagles in six of the seven games to date to be the overall best player for the team, but Eagles skipper Aaron Seabrook and Lachlan Glare are hot on his heals.

The next three rounds before the next bye sees the Eagles pitted against Great Western (H), Lismore-Derrinallum (A), and Glenthompson-Dunkeld (H).

All three will have Hawkesdale-Macarthur start as favourites and the side should win all three, but if any form of complacency creeps into the mindset of the team, then upsets will occur.

The points from these games must be banked as the final six rounds after the second bye are going to be much tougher to secure victories.

Netball

SITTING third on the Mininera and District Netball Association A grade premiership ladder, Hawkesdale-Macarthur has its sights set firmly on securing a double chance when finals arrive at the end of August after winning five of its first seven games of the season.

Having only lost to reigning premiers Tatyoon by five goals, the Eagles also dropped its game to Woorndoo-Mortlake which is only behind the Eagles on percentage.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur coach, Josie Barker is looking forward to the next phase of the season with all teams set to play another three games before having another bye.

“I am extremely happy with how things are going as I feel as a squad we are improving more and more as the weeks go on, we have a lot of depth this year compared to last year which is great and I know I can back the players in to do their role when rotated around and called upon,” Barker said.

Barker has driven home the mantra of playing simple netball and getting the basics right to all members of the squad, which she is happy to impart even during a game.

“I said this in one of our group huddles in our last game, ‘the message always will remain the same - which is play simple netball, don’t overthink or overcomplicate anything, if we can do the simple things right and work hard while doing them, we will nearly always come out on top”

Having the bye for the Kings Birthday, the Eagles will now enter the next phase of the season looking to improve on some aspects of their game.

“I think we can work harder on doing the simple things well, which comes down to fitness and intensity, so going forward the girls will be ramping up their fitness sessions over the weeks (ahead).

The Eagles have been fortunate with injuries to date with the players not suffering long term injury but rather a week here and there which keeps the continuity of the squad together and not have to swap players in and out too much.

“Katherine Barker is due to return next game against Great Western, starting in the B grade team and we will see how that will eventuate if she returns to A grade this year,” barker said.

“We wish her all the best with her return to the court, as she has put a lot of effort into her ACL rehabilitation over the past 11-12 months and I am extremely proud of her determination and motivation to get back to playing the sport she loves.”

The depth in the Eagles squad, showed in their last round game against SMW Rovers as champion goaler Olivia Twaddle was unavailable for the game but Indiana Ryan stepped into her shoes and shot the lights out with 49 goals at 82 percent.

The next three rounds have Hawkesdale-Macarthur playing Great Western at home, followed by an away game to Lismore-Derrinallum and finally a derby game against Glenthompson-Dunkeld at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve leading into the next bye.

All three games the Eagles will enter as favourites and should come away with the points on offer, but Glenthompson-Dunkeld and Lismore-Derrinallum are also chasing a finals berth and cannot be taken lightly.