Woodend-Hesket breaks finals hoodoo, sets sights on double chance

Woodend-Hesket hasn’t played finals since 2009 but has officially locked in a post-season return and coach Josh Pound says the club now has bigger ambitions.

Jack Arceri in action for Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Hamish Blair

A 14-year wait is officially over – Woodend-Hesket will play finals in 2003.

Not since 2009 had the Hawks featured in the Riddell District post-season but are locked in after Saturday’s 11-point win over Melton Centrals at Arnolds Creek Reserve.

In a season of ending hoodoos, Woodend-Hesket has ticked off its first goal and is now aiming higher.

It has its sights set on a top-three finish and double chance ahead of a difficult final month with games against fifth-placed Romsey, third-placed Wallan, fast-finishing Macedon and a bye.

Hawks coach Josh Pound said the club could not let itself be satisfied now.

Woodend-Hesket’s Kyle Baker wraps up Lachlan Giles of Lancefield. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It was only really on the weekend that we were officially locked in, I didn’t want to think about it until we got the job done,” he said.

“It’s interesting because I don’t want our finals goal being ticked to get in the way of our revised expectations, I don’t want to be just happy with finals.

“We want to win as many games as we can in the last three matches, all against tough opposition, and secure our spot in second or third position. That’s our revised goal now.

“We’re trying to instil the belief in the group that anything is possible when we’re firing.

“We’ve shown good patches throughout the year where we feel like we can beat anyone on our day.

“To put ourselves in second or third spot and if you win that game you guarantee yourself at least a preliminary final.”

The past month has been a fight for the Hawks with losses to Diggers Rest and Riddell and ugly wins over Lancefield and Centrals.

In a significant blow, gun midfielder Sam Medland injured his hamstring on the weekend and will be racing the clock to be fit for finals.

Woodend-Hesket coach Josh Pound. Picture: Hamish Blair

However, reinforcements are on the horizon.

Daniel Davey and Ethan Minns are expected to return from overseas holidays for the final two games, while the likes of Tom Gawthrop, Tayte Pears, Harley Giddings and James Hicks are also nearing full fitness.

Pound said a lack of height has shown in recent games.

“With the situation we’re in a the moment, our biggest weaknesses is having no key forward to kick to,” he said.

“It’s been myself and Riley Ferguson and different under-19s players tying to fill the void but we should have Daniel back from overseas for the last two games and Tayte Pears and Tom Gawthrop are battling back from injury.

“There’s still a few guys out at the moment and also senior guys coming back through the reserves like Miles Miranda and Tom O’Loughlin.

“It is going to produce some coaching headaches in the back half of the year around our best mix because we’ve had a number of guys come in and contribute.

“For instance, Riley Ferguson is really starting to know his strengths as an under-19s player and has been superb in the past month.”

Diggers Rest remains undefeated on top of the table after a 24-point win over Wallan, with the Magpies retaining third spot on percentage ahead of Riddell – which had the bye.

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Romsey holds fifth on percentage after a 166-point win over Western Rams ahead of Macedon, which got the better of Lancefield by 28 points.

While the senior men are celebrating, it was a season-ending weekend for the Hawks’ women.

Woodend-Hesket lost the minor semi-final to Macedon by 16 points at Gilbert Gordon Oval.

Kyneton is through to the grand final after handing Melton a 95-point hiding with the Bloods to face the Cats in the preliminary final on Saturday.