HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR took a major step forward in its development on Saturday when the Eagles tamed the Lions of Great Western at Macarthur Recreation Reserve, 17.15 (117) – 8.8 (56).

Winning form had disappeared for the Eagles after their first-round victory against cellar-dweller, Caramut, as the side lost their next four games despite showing glimpses of how good they could be.

The Eagles regained that winning feeling last round against Moyston-Willaura with a thumping 119-point victory and the side carried this forward to this game against the highly-fancied Lions who were sitting in the top five.

The first term saw both teams play bright, attacking football as the ball travelled up and down the field with a total of 10 goals posted between the teams.

The home side had 13 shots on goal in the first term to hold an 18-point lead at the sound of the first siren.

The Eagles carried that brand of football forward into the second quarter, as they took control of the game with a further six majors to open a 52-point lead at the long break, as the Lions were kept to only a single goal in reply.

With the game in hand, Hawkesdale-Macarthur remained in control when play resumed after the half time break, as the gap between the teams widened and at three quarter time it had crept out to 65 points, and it was a case of how far the Eagles.

With only one quarter of the game remaining, the Lions were determined to make a statement that they weren’t going down without a fight.

Great Western won the final term by four points to reduce the final margin to 61 points, to take a small positive from the game.

 Hamish Gleeson, Lachlan Glare, Ollie Wortley, Aaron Seabrook, James North and Joshua Down were Hawlesdale-Macarthur’s best players, as North booted six goals, and Glare added five of his own.

Great Western was well served by Jeremy Cronin, Andrew Cameron, Lee Marshall, Jesse Bennett and Nick Dunford.

 The Lions remain in fifth after the loss, but have been joined by Penshurst and Glenthompson-Dunkeld, while the Eagles rise to eighth spot only four points behind with an away game to Penshurst having great bearing on the ladder.

Other games

PENSHURST thrashed Caramut away from home with a 17.16 (118) to 3.5 (23) victory to leapfrog Glenthompson-Dunkeld on the ladder.

Young forward, Henry Bensch, only enhanced his growing reputation with another best on ground performance and four goals to cap another great game for the rising star.

  Ryan Smith, Edward Rentsch, Jacob Mibus, Oscar Hausler and Kieran Neeson also starred for the Bombers as the visitors controlled the game from the opening bounce.

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD has fallen out of the top five for the first time this season after being outclassed by the undefeated Tatyoon at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve, 19.10 (124) – 4.4 (28).

The unwanted result has seen the Rams lose their last three games after winning the first four, but the draw is kind to the Rams from here on and the side is expected to reach the finals.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC thrashed Lismore-Derrinallum at home, 28.16 (184) to 3.2 (20) to cement its second placing on the ladder, as Lewis Crichton, Andrew Boseley (nine goals), Lachlan Reilly, Tim Brejcha, Lachlan Staig and Izaak De Agrela were far too good for the Demons.

ARARAT Eagles overcame a determined SMW Rovers at Conna Wilson Reserve in a game that saw the lead change hands throughout, 11.9 (75) to 7.8 (50), with Jaydo Wright, Naish McRoberts, Ryan Weppner, Adrian Reid and Dale Reid all starring for the Eagles.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE had a field day against Moyston-Willaura at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve, as star forward Jesse Horan put on a goal kicking masterclass with 18 majors, as the home side had a virtual training drill by winning, 38.28 (257) – 2.6 (18).