EFL 2019: Waverley Blues scores gritty seven-point win over Glen Waverley Hawks

An undermanned Waverley Blues showed their grit to overcome Glen Waverley Hawks after a four-goal final term gave them their first win of the season.

Simon Hawkins was in Waverley Blues best players in their first win of the year. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Little separated the sides throughout the game and the result wasn’t decided until the final minutes but an undermanned Waverley Blues was able to score a seven-point win over Glen Waverley Hawks on Saturday.

The margin didn’t get beyond two goals for the majority of the game, until Waverley kicked two majors during time-on in the final quarter to give the Blues their first win of the Division 3 season.

Waverley was kept to one behind in the third term but rallied when it mattered to score a 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory.

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Unavailabilities forced the Blues to make seven changes from their Round 1 side, fielding seven players with less than six games of senior experience.

Waverley Blues coach Bryce McGain. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

Lachlan Maclean, Joe Facey and Ed Dalton were each handed debuts.

Coach Bryce McGain was thrilled his side’s showed its grit after being challenged in the third quarter.

“We had nine guys out there who played under-19s last year so we were super young and the encouraging bit was the way we finished off,” McGain said.

“We kicked four goals in the last quarter when the game was on the line, when they needed to work really hard they did the things that they needed to.

“For our young guys to actually make a difference, that was the most pleasing bit. It was really pleasing.”

McGain said Waverley capitalised on its chances in the final term to edge out the Hawks.

“We probably took the most of our opportunities — we both had inside our 50 10 times in the last quarter,” he said.

“Our forwards made the most of their opportunities … that was probably the difference at the end of the day.”

Waverley has upcoming assignments against South Belgrave and Warrandyte — two sides tipped to be in premiership contention after fruitful recruiting periods.

“We want to know the work we need to do and we know we’ve got a bit on our plate to keep improving,”

“It’s not just relying on personnel to come back in, it’s about us playing together and having great connection.”

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