Matt Gretgrix has been around footy long enough to know that talent can only take you so far.
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To win big games of footy and win finals you need the right attitude and team chemistry to go with the talent.
The attitude and team chemistry of this year’s Eaglehawk side is what impresses Gretgrix most.
“The boys are all good mates,’’ Gretgrix said on Friday.
“Sometimes I forget that I’m 13 or 14 years older than some of the boys. We all get on so well on and off the field and I think it shows in the way we’ve been playing.
“We have a lot of fun together and it’s always good fun when you’re winning.
“There’s no doubt that you need that unity if you want to be successful.”
The Hawks have won seven on the trot and face arch-rival Golden Square on Saturday, with the winner to claim top spot with five rounds remaining.
After thumping Strathfieldsaye last weekend, the Hawks are being treated as a serious premiership contender.
“We’re confident we can beat anyone on our day,’’ Gretgrix said.
“We don’t fear anyone and we’d like to think that we’re a team that people fear.
“It’s exciting to be a team that’s hunted. I think we have earned more respect this year from the way we’ve played.
“The next two weeks (Golden Square and Sandhurst) are going to play a big part in our season, but if we can win both games then we’re going to set ourselves up.”
Eaglehawk’s quest to defeat Golden Square for the second time this year hasn’t been helped by a hamstring injury to coach Josh Bowe.
The Hawks won’t take a risk with their key inside midfielder at this time of the year.
“We’d love to have Bowey out there, but we do have plenty of depth this year,’’ Gretgrix said.
“The young guys just keep stepping up and there’s another opportunity for that to happen this week.”
The highlight of the day will be the battle of the bookends.
Gretgrix is enjoying a brilliant season and he’ll come up against a strong Golden Square team defence that has been miserly all season.
At the other end of the ground, Golden Square full-forward Travis Baird is in career-best form and his battle with either Tim Hill or Dylan Hanley will be vital to the outcome of the game.
“I wouldn’t like to play on either of those blokes,’’ Gretgrix said of Hill and Hanley.
“I’ve had to play on them in practice matches and I struggle to get a kick.”
The Bulldogs and Hawks do battle at Wade Street from 2.20pm.