Hawks champ Shane Crawford coaches Ardmona, Kyabram District Football League

Premiership Hawk Shane Crawford had his first outing as coach of Ardmona on Saturday urging the Bush Cats to keep fighting.

Shane Crawford addresses his Ardmona troops at the final break in the match against Violet Town. Photo: Brayden May.

If you needed a way to sum up the feeling at Ardmona on Saturday afternoon it came late in the final quarter.

The Bush Cats were already down in excess of triple figures but when their third goal of the day sailed through the ground erupted.

The result at Ardmona Recreation Reserve was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

Country footy was back and the Bush Cats were part of it.

In his first game as senior coach, former Hawk star Shane Crawford, remained nothing but positive even as Violet Town’s lead continued to grow in the Kyabram District League opener.

All he asked for was four quarters of effort and that’s what the Bush Cats delivered.

The crowd cheered loudly for every tackle and willed their players to every contest.

“We had a win running out today,” Crawford said.

“The spirit of this group is unbelievable. We haven’t played any practice matches, some guys have played for almost two years because they’ve had a season off because of COVID and then they’ve stayed out there and kept trying.

“I knew fitness was going to be a struggle compared to the team we were playing against. They’re a good side who many people are tipping to be right up there at the end of the season.

“I think they’ll be sore and sorry for the next few days but that will hopefully kickstart us putting us into winning a game down the track.

“That’s the dream.”

Despite what the scoreboard said, Crawford showed continued faith in his side.

Charles Jackson was extremely impressive in the middle of the ground, winning his large share of hit-outs.

“He virtually rucked all day, he plays with the spirit the club needs to really adopt,” Crawford said.

“Tim Keegan, our co-captain down back, he’s 40 and kept putting his body on the line. He’s playing like he’s 20.

“There’s a lot of good stories from today.”

The feeling on the final siren was nothing but happiness for the people of the Ardmona Football Club.

Players were cheered off as they approached the boundary rooms.

And there were countless calls of “we’re proud of you boys” as they waited their post-game review for Crawford.

But they just had to wait a little longer because the former Hawthorn premiership player went out of his way to address Violet Town after the game and congratulate them on their performance.

There were also plenty of positives off the field with Crawford’s debut drawing a large crowd.

The canteen, which was being run by netball players who had already done the hard yards out on the court, almost couldn’t keep up with demand.

Being a country footy club, the committee was putting on a barbecue for players after the game as well as a well-earned beer.

Bush Cats president Tim “Plugger” Magann suggested it was the largest the club had seen in almost six years.

“It’s fantastic to see people back out enjoying the footy,” he said.

“We were pretty happy with how the boys fought it out. It’s only going to get better.

Crawford wasn’t the only player with ex-AFL experience in Ardmona’s ranks either.

Former Carlton player Anthony Franchina made his Bush Cats debut sporting the number 11 jersey.

While on the opposition, former Fremantle forward Josh Mellington marked his return to Violet Town with a bag.