EAGLEHAWK orchestrated a 55-point turnaround in 44 minutes of football on Saturday to dislodge Golden Square from top spot on the BFNL ladder.
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The heat was on the Hawks in the 1 v 2 clash at Wade Street when the Bulldogs led by 29 points at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter.
However, the Hawks responded in style, kicking the last nine goals of the game – the final three of the third quarter and then six in the last – to record a 16.15 (111) to 12.13 (85) win.
The 11-2 Hawks – on an eight-game winning streak – have now taken what had been Golden Square’s position at the top of the ladder and are one game clear. The Bulldogs are now third.
“I’m really proud of the boys… Square controlled a fair bit of the game over the first three quarters, but we were able to stick with them to give ourselves a chance in the last,” said Eaglehawk coach Josh Bowe, who was sidelined through a hamstring injury.
“We took a lot of belief out of last week (win over Strathfieldsaye) and the boys have got a real desire to win and are working hard to really grind out games.”
The boys have got a real desire to win and are working hard to really grind out games
- Josh Bowe
In a blow to the Hawks, they lost key forward Matt Gretgrix to a hand injury early in the second quarter.
“We’re not sure how serious it is yet… we’ll send him in for scans and then take it from there,” Bowe said.
With the Hawks’ main avenue to goal off the ground, Brodie Collins, Riley Saunders and mid-season recruit Trent Bacon all stepped up to help cover the loss with three goals each.
Golden Square’s tally of 12 goals included another five to Travis Baird – including three in the third term – and three to opportunist Liam Marciano.
Other round 13 winners on Saturday were Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton, South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye