EFNL 2025: Early warning? Rowville stars stun in scratch-match

It may only be March, but could the Hawks have put their Premier Division rivals on notice? The Eastern league power had several VFL names missing but put on a clinic on Saturday.

The Hawks took no prisoners in their scratch-match with Frankston YCW on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Read into it what you will – but Rowville may have sent an early and ominous warning to its Eastern league premiership rivals on Saturday.

The Hawks, missing eight VFL-listed players, ran out 10-goal winners over Mornington Peninsula league top-flight club Frankston YCW in a performance leaving Rowville coach Ben Wise beaming.

“It’s a bit of the unknown, going into practice matches against (teams from) other comps. We really set ourselves for a big challenge and they’re really well respected in that comp,” Wise said.

“We started really well, got ascendancy through the midfield which gave us good opportunities forward of centre. We used the ball really well and put them on the back foot, really.

“I was really happy.”

Hawks turn up the heat on the Stonecats. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Wise, who led the Hawks to the 2023 Premier Division flag, said there was no shortage of contributors – including midfield bull Anthony Brolic, who looked set for another big campaign, while VFL-listed pair Cooper MacDonald and Tyson Sruk also turned heads.

“Cooper MacDonald was outstanding, Tyson Sruk was really impressive, my on-ball brigade with ‘Brol’ (Anthony Brolic), he’s moving as good as he has in a couple of years, ‘Schoey’ (ruckman Nik Schoenmakers) impressed in his first game back, and my backline was really strong,” Wise said.

“Forward of centre we obviously executed in front of goal reasonably well – I think Mav (Taylor) kicked five and a couple of the other boys kicked three.

“It was just a really good all-round effort, to be honest. You could go through the whole list and all the boys did their job.”

Taylor bagged five for the Hawks on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Young spearhead Mav Taylor featured among the Premier Division’s top forwards last season, booting 42 majors.

“He sets himself up to succeed – the amount of work he does in his off-season, he obviously does training with us but he’s also got a personal trainer through the off-season that works really hard on his game and little biomechanic stuff that helps come game time,” Wise said.

“He’s just such a hard worker – he might have a quiet quarter but he very rarely has a quiet match.”

Plenty to like from Saturday, the Hawks coach says. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Hawks are also set to enjoy a swag of names back full-time from VFL level this season – with a pair of names standing out on Saturday.

“Cal Verrell was really solid across half-back again and Kyle Stainthorpe chipped in kicking three,” Wise said.

“Those guys have been sensational for us – just to have those experienced guys back training with us every week, it makes a massive difference.”

Rowville opens its season at home to Noble Park on April 12.