By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – DIVISION 2 AND 3
NOT for decades has there been this much interest in Hallam football.
The Hawks have soared through the start of 2016, putting behind them the difficult start to life in Southern Football League with a fifth consecutive win.
People are knocking down the door to join the high-flying Hawks; a rare position for a side in years gone by that struggled to get senior men, senior women or even juniors down to Frawley Road.
“We’ve got three or four walking in each week,” Slater said.
“Quality footballers who we haven’t had down here before and we’re attracting good quality local kids that aren’t tied up anywhere or given the game away for a couple of seasons.
“That’s greater depth long term and it’s pleasing that they want to come down to Hallam.”
Success is integral to that renewed interest of course and it doesn’t hurt that Hallam now sits second in SFL Division 3 following a bruise-free victory, knocking over Dandenong by 93 on Saturday.
Star midfielder Matt Neve (four goals) had another gear over the Redlegs while Tom Bradley (four goals) had a field day alongside Stephen Chin, Kieran Smith and Rory McIvor.
Coach Scott Slater puts the winning ways down to continued improvement and learning that the harder options reap the greatest rewards.
“Was really good – every week we’re getting better which is the pleasing part,” Slater said. “Could’ve taken some easy options and blaze away – but we challenged them early to consolidate on yesterday.
“Once we passed last week winning four straight – a club record – now it’s about ticking the box each week and not looking too far ahead.
“We’ve beaten two other teams in the five and we’re two games clear of fourth, so that’s a massive benefit for us if we do drop off, got the buffer that we worked hard to make early.”
Slater praised the back six – even though they didn’t have much of it, because whenever they did it was all class from the last line.
“I was very impressed with the backline on the weekend – even though it didn’t reflect it on the scoreboard,” Slater said. “We’re rebounding the forward entries and we’re getting our match ups good as well and getting comfortable in those positions.
“Steve Chin leading by example in the back line, Kieran Smith – doesn’t look like a footballer but gives 100 per cent at every contest.
“Rory McIvor – an absolute jet, running off half-back with what seems like 200 metres in front of him.”
Endeavour Hills rounded out the triumphant in SFL Division 3, knocking over Moorabbin 11.17(82) to 7.10(52) as Byron Hoe, Jayson Bruce and Jake Van Hoesel led the Falcons’ swoop to success.
Doveton Eagles was pipped at the post by Ashwood 11.12(78) to 11.13(79). The Eagles couldn’t hold a slender lead through the final term, despite the best efforts of Matt O’Callaghan, Jarrod O’Neill and Brett Hidgcock.
Lyndhurst suffered at the hands of the ladder leading Mount Waverley by 48 points as Cory Willshire, Matt Gardner and Jeremy Jakupi were best on.
