Revenge for Hawks

Augusta-Margaret River kept its hopes of playing finals football alive with a 34 point win over Donnybrook at Gloucester Park on Saturday.

The equally matched game saw a good tussle between half back lines with shots on goal a premium for the Hawks as they kicked against the wind in the first quarter.

The Dons maintained their strength in the second quarter, as they held onto an 11-point lead at half time.

The teams traded points for the first five minutes of the second half before Hawks half-forward Kelvin Lawrence scored two vital goals.

The Dons were looking good with weather likely to close in during the second half, but the rain held off giving the Hawks a chance to adjust their play.

Three goals against the wind in the third term by Harry Taylor and Ben Gerrans and strong tackling through the midfield gave the Hawks a six point lead heading into the final quarter.

The Hawks defence was pivotal in the second half only allowing one late Donnybrook goal as Hawks mercurial utility Harry Taylor hit the scoreboard with three goals to secure the comeback victory.

The win was revenge for the Hawks who lost to Donnybrook in last years Qualifying final at Gloucester Park.

Hawks coach Matt Jamieson said everyone contributed to the surge in the second half.

“I think we just had to adjust, we wanted to keep the contest tight and then surge through the contest with a bit of speed,” Mr Jamieson said.

“We probably didn’t adjust to that early enough in the first half, but at half time we addressed that and the boys executed really well.

“We’ve probably been a bit patchy in the first few weeks, we knew we were going to be challenged today and they were going to come out hard, they like to put pressure on the ball and surge forward, but we adjusted well after half time and ran away with it,” he said.

The Hawks will embark on the longest road trip in the SWFL on Sunday when they travel to the Collie Recreation Ground and face the Eagles, while the Dons are at home to Carey Park.

Score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Augusta-Margaret River 1.2-8 3.7-25 6.10-46 11.14-80

Donnybrook 3.3-21 5.6-36 5.10-40 6.10-46

Goals: AMR K. Lawrence 3, H. Taylor 3, B. Gerrans 2, M. Gerrans, H Mitchell, C. Rodgers DON S. Bevan 3, S. Gizzarelli 2, H. Hutton.

Best: H. Mitchell, M. Gerrans, M. Jukes, N. Martin, N. McCosker