Woodend-Hesket claims thrilling win over Macedon to end hoodoo

Defeat biggest rival and end 12-year drought, big recruit plays best game, ex-AFL star debuts. Woodend-Hesket ticked all the boxes on Saturday.

Tom Gawthrop in action for Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Hamish Blair

Woodend-Hesket claimed one of the biggest wins in club history on Saturday, upsetting Macedon by five points.

For the first time in 12 years the Hawks beat their arch-rivals, coming from behind in a nail-biting last quarter to spark wild celebrations at Gilbert Gordon Oval.

Having been on the other side of the RDFL rivalry for the last two seasons, Woodend-Hesket coach Ben Tankard revealed what it meant, not only to the team, but to the entire town.

“I was really stoked with the win but after the game was amazing, there were supporters with tears in their eyes,” he said.

“I was quite blown away, I underestimated how big it is for people in the town.”

Woodend-Hesket trailed by 13 points at half-time and managed to whittle the margin back to nine points at the final change.

The home team rode a wave of momentum, kicking two goals to nil to put their nose in front and run out 12.6 (78) to 11.7 (73) winners.

Tankard said it was a critical win for the team’s season with the Hawks now fifth on percentage at 2-2.

“We set ourselves all week, we were obviously really disappointed with our last home game, getting beaten by 100 points,” he said.

“To be honest Macedon were probably the better side for most of the day, they got out to 20 points at one stage, but we hung around and finished really strongly in the last quarter.

“The four points were crucial … it keeps us in touch, it would have been difficult to go 1-3 in a 16-game season, and to knock off one of the top sides was fantastic.”

Ethan Gove was the hero for Woodend-Hesket kicking the winning goal while James Vistarini was awarded the Bill Tunn Medal as best on ground.

“James had an honest first half (on Saturday) and an honest first three games, he’s come with a good reputation having won a league medal in the Essendon District,” Tankard said.

Bill Tunn Medallist James Vistarini. Picture: Hamish Blair

Tom Gawthrop in action for Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Hamish Blair

Jordan Filakis in action for Woodend-Hesket. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I put it on him at half-time and I know he’s the type of player that will respond to the criticism and his second half was unbelievable, lots of contested ball, big one-on-ones, he hit the scoreboard.

“He’s a real barometer-type player and when he plays well he brings a few teammates along with him.”

However, Woodend-Hesket paid a heavy price with several players racing the clock to be fit for this week’s match against Rockbank.

“We finished the game without a bench and I anticipate eight or nine forced changes next week,” Tankard said.

“It was a fantastic day and night (on Saturday) but we’re certainly licking our wounds, we’ve certainly paid the price.

“We think we’ve got pretty good depth and our reserves have been going well, we’ve got Rockbank next week and we’ll give a few more kids a go.

Jordan Filakis booted four goals in the win, while skipper Alistair Rae and Marcus Stapleton also impressed.

It was also an important day for former Essendon star Tayte Pears, who made his return after several years out of the game.

“He got through, which was fantastic,” Tankard said.

“He started really strongly, used his big frame and knocked a few bodies over, and looked like a bloke who was going to tear it to pieces.

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“Obviously, first game in seven years, things got tougher for him and he certainly won’t be able to bounce back next week, we’ll be smart with him.

“It was a really special day to be a part of so it worked out well for him that it was his first game and he’s really put himself into the club.”

Toby Sims, Jordan Dyer and captain Matthew Hutchesson were Macedon’s best.

The Cats will look to bounce back this Saturday against when they host Lancefield.