2018 SWFL | Augusta Margaret River win tight match

The Hawks went into the match as the underdogs as they were playing second placed Tigers at home.

South Bunbury also had a good knack of winning tight games, with five of their victories achieved by under a goal.

It was a typical winter’s day with rain on and off for the whole match as well as a strong breeze and even some sunshine.

The Hawks got off a to a good start, dominating possession and keeping the ball in their forward half.

They didn’t make the most of their opportunities at the start with two misses from Brett Dobson and Jack Hick.

Once South Bunbury broke the line they punished the Hawks with three goals in the second half of the first quarter.

When the momentum shifted the Hawks became ineffective with the ball and struggled to get it out of their defence.

The quarter time break was just what they needed as they came out in the second quarter firing.

The Hawks kicked the first goal within minutes of the term starting and it was quickly followed by a missed opportunity from Jake Rodgers.

It was a bit of deja voo from the the first quarter with South Bunbury being slow to get their game started while the Hawks were able to dominate possession and keep the ball in the forward line.

Hick kicked AMR’s second goal and they evened the score after a free kick to James Price on the 50 metre line had players fumbling over the ball but ended with a goal to the Hawks.

The game was slow with both teams smothering the ball or players causing stoppages.

Ruckman Harrison Morgan did have to go off for a time after finding himself on the ground from a contest.

South Bunbury’s Liam McKenna gave away a free kick and 50 metre penalty which gifted the Hawks’ Ben Gerrans a goal to edge them out in front.

The Tigers had the clearance from the centre bounce which provided a great opportunity for Rhys Crawford to even the score. However he missed the shot the completely.

It wasn’t long after the miss that the lead changed again when South Bunbury’s Jack Deschamp received a free kick in the forward half and kicked a goal.

Just before half time South Bunbury were able to get some momentum as they were able to get the ball in to their attacking half.

Tiger’s Leigh Kohlmann had an opportunity to extend the lead but missed the shot and the Hawks were able to capitalise with Tom McDonald getting their fifth goal.

The Hawks went into half time with an eight point lead.

The sun poked through the clouds as the players came back on for the third quarter.

Unfortunately a miss tackle at the start of the term left a South Bunbury pleyer concussed and the game stopped while he was stretchered off the ground.

The ambulance also had to come to Hands Oval for the player.

Once playing resumed the Hawks got into their forward 50 and provided Mitchell Payne with what looked like an easy shot on goal but it went across the face for a behind.

After the ball went backwards and forwards down the ground Payne had the ball once more in almost the exact same spot and he missed again.

South Bunbury’s Deschamp then misses their opportunity to get in front.

The Hawks failed to score a goal in the third term with McDonald missing another shot on goal.

At the last break Hawks coach Matt Jamieson brought his men together and said the last quarter was not the time to be a hero and said hitting the target was imperative.

As the fourth quarter began you could tell both teams felt the pressure of what the win would mean for their season as they both missed opportunities on goal.

The Hawks had two behinds before it was third time lucky and got the first and only goal for the quarter.

Both teams struggled to get clean possessions and as the rain came down it made it harder and harder for any team to get momentum.

After the Hawks’ goal the Tigers were able to stop their opposition from scoring but were unable to score themselves.

The siren went and the Hawks celebrated a five point win. The score was 6.6. (42)  to 6.11.(47).