HUNTLY co-coach Jamie Hogan says “getting back to the basics” is the focus point for the Hawks kickstarting their Heathcote District league season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Hawks were touted pre-season as being one of 2017’s top challengers to North Bendigo’s reign of dominance.
But the Hawks are yet to fire a shot after two games, copping a 149-point hiding off the Bulldogs in their first game and then going down to White Hills by 19 points last week.
On Saturday the Hawks take on another of the winless teams in Lockington-Bamawm United at Lockington.
“It’s not where we expected to be early in the season and we’ve just been poor in the simple areas that we can control, which is intensity and working for each other,” Hogan said on Friday.
“We haven’t been doing that to the level we need to and we have to pick that up.
“We need to win one soon and it’s not going to be easy against Lockington… we’re both in the same spot and playing them at home is going to be a big challenge.
“Hopefully, we can do enough to win and get our season on track.”
The Hawks have been hit by injury early in the season, with the outs from last week’s team including key playmaker Harry Whittle (thigh).
While the Cats and Hawks are two winless teams, Saturday’s round four matches include two of the unbeaten teams facing off in White Hills hosting North Bendigo.
It’s a massive test for the Demons, who in their past three games against the Bulldogs have been outscored 69 goals to nine.
“Everyone knows North Bendigo is the benchmark and it’s going to be good for our group to test itself against the best,” White Hills coach Brent Millar said.
“We’ve made a good start to the season, but we’re under no illusion as to what we’re coming up against.
“We’ll look to go head-to-head with them through the midfield. Our midfield group has been dangerous in winning a fair bit of the footy with (Lachlan) Sidebottom as our ruckman, but they have also been kicking goals as well.
“We’ll still have to nullify their midfield and we’ll adjust depending on how the game is going as to whether we need to become more defensive or maintain our head-to-head attack.
“It’s certainly a challenge we’re looking forward to.”
Saturday’s game will also be a Past Players and Supporters Day for the Demons, which begins at noon.
• Round four games: Leitchville-Gunbower v Elmore, Colbinabbin v Heathcote, LBU v Huntly, White Hills v North Bendigo. Mount Pleasant bye.
Games start at 2.15pm.
