Another week another RDFNL drought breaks for Woodend-Hesket

It seems almost every other week, Woodend-Hesket is breaking new ground in the RDFNL, and the Hawks put an end to an eight-year hoodoo on Saturday.

Alistair Rae in action for Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Aaron Cook

Another week another drought broken for Woodend-Hesket.

The Hawks snatched a come-from-behind 19-point win over Wallan at Gilbert Gordon Oval on Saturday to end an eight-year hoodoo.

While the two teams had a controversial draw last season, Woodend-Hesket had not beaten the Magpies since 2015.

A dominant five-goal finish erased a seven-point deficit at three-quarter-time and delivered a 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) victory.

The result takes the Hawks to the King’s Birthday break with a 7-1 record, which has them second on the RDFNL ladder, and on track for another broken drought – a finals appearance.

Dean Bramley in action for Woodend-Hesket Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Woodend-Hesket coach Josh Pound was rapt to tick off another box in a season of breakthrough wins.

“Great result, every week seems to be some sort of hoodoo or drought-breaking win,” he said.

“You want to have high expectations and set realistic goals but, if I’m being completely honest, I didn’t predict 7-1.

“It’s a credit to the guys, I feel like our worst footy is past us and we’re still improving, so I’m hoping we continue to grow.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t feel like we’d exceeded our expectations.”

Woodend-Hesket jumped out to an early lead, taking a 15-point margin into quarter-time and five-point buffer into the half.

Wallan started to control the game in the second quarter and slammed on five goals in the third term before the Hawks wrestled back control late.

“The momentum changed a lot for both sides, they had 10-minute blocks where they were able to score easily,” Pound said.

“In particular the end of the second quarter and start of the third they got on a strong run, so it was important we stayed composed and slowed the game down to get it back on our terms.

“Being able to possess the ball is something we’ve improved and worked out, it’s pretty simple if they don’t have the ball they can’t score.

“Luckily enough it worked and when we were able to go forward Dan Davie is some sort of form at the moment and is a reckoning force.”

With six goals, Davie was the dominant attacking force on the ground, while at the other end, Marcus Stapleton was named best-on-ground.

Stapleton took a number of intercept marks to put the home team back on the attack.

Dean Bramley overcame a nasty injury to have a strong influence on the game, while Daniel Toman, Sam Medland and Tim Martin were critical in midfield.

“Some sort of game from Stapo, his ability to read the ball and mark and not spoil is such a valuable asset,” Pound said.

“He was highly efficient too by foot, I don’t think he missed a target, for a big guy he can kick the ball too.

“It was one of the better games I’ve seen from a key back.

“Dean Bramley was in my best couple of players, he copped a vicious elbow and had his ear split in half.

“He had to go to hospital that night but played with his head tapped up but continues to put his head in the hole and is another guys who’s tremendously efficient.”

The Hawks now have two weeks off with the long weekend league bye followed by its club bye in Round 9.

The club will return to action with a top-of-the-table blockbuster against Diggers Rest.

Pound missed the win over Wallan with a hamstring injury but is hopeful of returning to face the Burras along with the likes of key players Tom Gawthrop, Ben Toman, James Hicks, Tayte Pears, Frank Fazzolari and Harley Giddings.

Despite missing several first-choice players, Pound was rapt with the club’s depth as reserves skipper Rupert Miranda and youngsters Caelen Templeton and Jobe Dowling stepped up.

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“Rupert, our vice-president, is a very much-loved figure around the club and after a few beers he always taps me on the shoulder and asks when he’s getting a game,” Pound said.

“For a long period of time I thought he was taking the piss but credit where credit is due he’s put in the work and a consistent performer in the reserves and been the captain for some time.

“He definitely wasn’t out of place out there, it’s nice when you can call on those types of guys and have them play a role.”

Elsewhere, Macedon was too good for Western Rams in a 81-point win, Riddell bounced back with a 30-point win over Lancefield and Diggers Rest remained perfect with a six-point nail-biter over Romsey.