A HEARTBREAKING one-point elimination final defeat will provide a platform for redemption in Hawkesdale-Macarthur’s bid for a maiden premiership under the direction of Simon O’Keefe.
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In a game dominated by momentum swings, Hawkesdale-Macarthur managed 12 scoring shots to post six majors in a feat which gifted the Eagles’ an 18-point lead at the final break.
But they couldn’t hold off a last quarter scoring spree from Penshurst, with the Bombers piling on five goals late in the game to snatch a 12.9 (81) to 10.20 (80) victory over the Eagles.
O’Keefe, who has recommitted to coach Hawkesdale-Macarthur again next season, said the club would look to build on an albeit short finals experience for a tilt next year.
“It was a bit disappointing. Inaccuracy really hurt us, in that I think we hit the post four or five times,” he told The Standard.
“It’s disappointing for the club in that they’ve worked really hard to get here. The blokes have put in a massive pre-season and I think losing out on a top three spot, purely on percentage, hurt us a bit.”
The 34-year-old Koroit premiership player said the improvement of the playing group was palpable.
The club has soared under O’Keefe’s leadership, posting a seven-win improvement on last year since he took the helm at the start of this season.
“We’ll have yet another big pre-season and head into next year ready to go. We have a few decisions to make over the summer and things to work on before next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hawkesdale-Macarthur’s reserves and under 16.5 side’s advanced to the semi-finals of the Mininera and District football finals after comfortable victories over SMW Rovers and Tatyoon respectively.
The club’s A Grade netballers fell to Tatyoon by eight goals in the qualifying final, meaning they will get the chance to redeem themselves in a semi-final next week.
