EFL Division 3: Glen Waverley holds off Whitehorse Pioneers by eight points

A returning name bagged five while a teenager starred in the ruck as the Hawks snapped a losing-streak in the EFL’s Division 3 on Saturday.

Glen Waverley senior coach Brett Gatehouse described it as “as gutsy a win as I can remember”.

The embattled Hawks snapped a four-match losing-streak on Saturday as they edged the Whitehorse Pioneers in the Eastern league’s Division 3, 10.9 (69) to 9.7 (61).

Brothers Louis and Max Holmes finished with eight goals between them. Picture: Glen Waverley FC

Injuries and Covid had ravaged the club of late, with its reserves forced to forfeit a match a fortnight ago.

Thrilled with Saturday’s response, Gatehouse said his side battled on without ruckmen Ned Bradley and Jack Gale due to knee injuries, while the back six had also taken a hit with key post Marc Meachen missing.

“We were pretty undermanned,” Gatehouse said.

“We didn’t have a ruckman, we didn’t have a key defender, so we were undersized.

“All the boys just fought so hard. That was as gutsy a win as I can remember, considering all the injuries and other stuff we’re dealing with at the moment.”

Despite the starting ruckmen missing, 19-year-old Connor Cochrane “had an absolute blinder” and filled the void with a best afield display.

“He was unbelievable,” Gatehouse said.

“For a young bloke to do what he did (on Saturday), he’s been great up forward for us, but he was undersized (in the ruck), he just jumped and jumped and had a super game.”

The Hawks raced out to a 25-point quarter-time lead before the Pioneers cut the deficit to just two points at the final change.

Gatehouse’s men have been no strangers to close finishes this season, with Saturday’s clash marking the fourth occasion of a result of less than 10 points – two of those losses by a kick.

“It was a bit of a relief, that’s for sure,” Gatehouse said.

“We’ve lost a couple of close ones early that we were all pulling our hair out about.

“I think just a bit of belief (proved the difference) – I keep saying to all the boys that we are playing some good footy in patches, and if we can get it right for a full game, we’re going to be very tough to beat.

“To fight back and hold on was very pleasing.”

The victory also marked a dominant return for spearhead Louis Holmes, who finished with five goals.

“We haven’t had him since Round 2 (due to concussion), that was his first game back and he’s a star,” Gatehouse said.

“If we had’ve had him in a couple of the close ones we lost, it probably could’ve gone the other way.

“It was certainly good to have him back out there.”

Brother Max wasn’t far behind with three goals, while Daniel Horvat kicked four for the Pioneers as midfielder James Fasan finished best afield for the visitors.

The win lifts the Hawks to 2-5 for seventh spot on the ladder, while the Pioneers sit fifth on 3-3.

Glen Waverley has the bye this weekend while Whitehorse hosts Scoresby.