Hawks beat gallant Bulls

The Augusta Margaret River Hawks survived a first quarter scare to defeat the Harvey Bulls at Gloucester Park on Saturday winning by 57 points.

After the Hawks kicked the first goal of the game the last-placed Bulls kicked three goals in quick succession.

Kyle Hickman started well at centre half forward kicking an early goal and looking like an imposing target up forward for the Bulls.

Augusta Margaret River captain Mitch Lynn then steadied the ship for the Hawks with a goal seconds before the quarter time siren to give the Hawks a two point buffer.

Augusta Margaret River coach Matt Jamieson was livid at quarter time challenging his players to lift their workload.

The Hawks responded with Max Patterson tackling strongly and Lincoln McLoed hitting the ball hard to put a stamp of authority on the contest for the home side.

Augusta Margaret River veteran utility Mitch Gerrans directed traffic from half back creating many switches of play which allowed the Hawks to change lanes and score six goals to one for the quarter.

In the third the Bulls bounced back with Jay Collard getting more of the ball and Anthony Vitalone running hard forward to finish with two goals for the day.

Harvey outscored the Hawks in the third term and for the second time in the match Jamieson demanded his team respect the opposition and run with their opposing midfielders on the defensive side of the game.

Again, the Hawks responded with silky centre Jon Coghlan repeatedly lacing out teammates and Lynn winning several clearances.

In form half forward Harry Taylor kicked three goals in the final term to finish with five for the match and stretch the margin to near ten goals.

Harvey Bulls coach Craig Nicholls said his team had played with a strong desire and enjoyed their best first quarter of the season.

“We had five guys play both colts and league today and when we’re in a redevelopment phase we have to play these guys,” he said.

“We’ve worked on our centre clearances and I thought our contest work was good.”

Jamieson was left perplexed by his team’s mind-set considering it was addressed pre-game.

“I think sometimes when you play a bottom team with a big game the week after you can get a little ahead of yourselves and we were guilty of that today,” he said.

“But to their credit they came out to play early, made the most of their opportunities and we were a bit lazy with the ball.”

“If we get back to running in straight lines and playing instinctively we will give HBL a good crack.”

Hawks full forward Ricky Cary did not play the second half with a tight hamstring and is in doubt for the top four clash against the undefeated Harvey Brunswick Leschenault next Sunday.

“Rick hasn’t done a hamstring before so we pulled him off as a precaution,” Jamieson said.

Scoreboard:

Augusta Margaret River Q1 3.3 - 21 Q2 9.8 - 62 Q3 11-12 - 78 Q4 17.13 - 115

Harvey Bulls Q1 3.1 - 19 Q2 4.3 - 27 Q3 7.4 - 46 Q4 9.4 - 58

Augusta Margaret River

Best 1. L McLeod 2. J Coghlan 3. M Lynn 4. H Taylor 5. S Grantis 6. M Jukes

Goals H. Taylor 5, B Smith 3, H Hall 2, J Coghlan 1, J Hick 1, M Jukes 1, M Lynn 1, M Patterson 1, T McDonald 1.

Harvey Bulls

Best: 1 K Hickman, 2 A Vitalone, 3 J Collard, 4 E Dan, 5 M Robson, 6 M Robinson

Goals: D Davis 3, A Vitalone 2, J Collard 1, K Hitchman 1, E Dan 1, C Thorne 1.