EAGLEHAWK’S Josh Bowe and his coaching staff face a challenge over the next month to cover the loss of key forward Matt Gretgrix and not lose any of the momentum the Hawks have built.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With eight wins in a row, the Hawks are the new ladder-leader in the Bendigo Football-Netball League, but will have to make do without Gretgrix for at least the next four weeks after he broke his hand last weekend.
Gretgrix has kicked 65 out of the Hawks’ tally of 200 goals for the season – a contribution of 32.5 per cent.
It’s a big loss to cover, but the Hawks showed in their victory over Golden Square last Saturday that as integral as Gretgrix has been to their 11-2 record this season, they can still win without him.
Gretgrix’s game against the Bulldogs ended early in the second quarter when the Hawks had just two goals on the board.
But despite their gun forward off the ground, the Hawks were able to kick another 14 goals against what had before Saturday been the top team and overcome a 29-point third quarter deficit to win by 26.
Gretgrix is one of eight forwards across the AFL Central Victoria region that takes in the Bendigo, Heathcote District, Loddon Valley and North Central leagues who have carried the heavy load of kicking more than 30 per cent of their team’s goals.
While he hasn’t been as dominant as he was last year, Mitiamo coach Justin Maddern is the most relied upon forward in the AFLCV region in terms of percentage of team goals kicked.
Maddern’s tally of 55 out of the Superoos’ 156 goals equates to 35.3 per cent, which is narrowly ahead of Birchip-Watchem star recruit Stephen Paulke’s 34.4 per cent (43 of 125).
Nick Coghlan’s percentage of 32.8 for St Arnaud was significantly boosted in round three when he kicked all nine of the Saints’ goals against Wycheproof-Narraport.
• Highest percentage of team’s goals this season:
Justin Maddern (Miti)
35.3% – 55 of 156 goals.
…………………………….
Stephen Paulke (Birch)
34.4% – 43 of 125 goals.
…………………………….
Lachlan Sharp (Strath)
33.6% – 72 of 214 goals.
…………………………….
Nick Coghlan (St A)
32.8% – 42 of 128 goals.
…………………………….
Matt Gretgrix (Eh)
32.5% – 65 of 200 goals.
…………………………….
Alex Collins (Bwater)
32.1% – 67 of 209 goals.
…………………………….
Ben Weightman (Kyn)
31.6% – 75 of 237 goals.
…………………………….
Matt Perri (LG)
30.9% – 88 of 285 goals.