This 2024 season is looking very promising for the Hawks, who are sitting on top of the HFA ladder.
We trust you will enjoy our blow by blow descriptions of the rounds leading up to the final series and hope you will continue to sponsor and support the management, committee and great players in our club.
First week of the finals and the rain stayed away making conditions perfect for playing footy. After finishing the year with the minor premiership and several close results against Swan View, meant we were in for another blinder.
The 1st final between Chidlow and Gidge was very intriguing. Gidge started well and had most of the play for the 1st, before Chidlow got on top for the next 2 and then Gidge charged home from 6 goals down to fall short by less than a goal. A ripping match to get the crowd up and about.
After an exciting 1st semi, it was time to get excited for the 2nd. With the tunes pumping down in the rooms, it helped to calm the nerves a little and we were under way.
Up the big boys went and the footy was in dispute as the 2 best midfields battled it out. Jacko v Jacko, Chetts v Jetts, Keggy v Hollingum, it was going to be great battle. The footy was freer flowing to start, as the mid stars from both sides played their natural game. After a couple of misses from both teams, it took a nice chest mark from Wolfy and a beautiful kick from 35m out to get us under way. Cut-off by AB on the halfback line with precision hits Chetts in the center, quickly turning and finding Lukey 40m out on a strong lead. He sends it home with a raking left boot. Tim was in the thick of it early and rewarded with a good tackle, he put it to the top of the goal square, dropping short and another chest mark from Wolfy at the top of the square. He finished with 3 for the qtr.
QT – 4.4 – 1.3
With a good start, some complacency started to kick in. Chetts was copping a tight tag and they were starting to win some footy out the middle. Harley took some nice contested grabs, but wasn’t finding it easy to move the footy. It took 2 separate 50m penalties to get us anywhere near our foward line and the delivery wasn’t helping the forwards. When both Gios and Mitch didnt flush it, we assumed something might have been wrong with the footy. Some MJ hang time saw Lukey come flying from the side as he soared about 5m to take a ripping hanga! He was officially denied after a confusing decision, but the crowd still loved it and free kick or not, a great mark is a great mark! It was about our only highlight for the quarter, managing only a couple of behinds and the pressure from the Mitchys lessened the damage.
HT – 4.8 – 3.9
Both teams were keen to get on top and the pressure was up from the start. We were straight on the backfoot as they kicked the 1st and took the lead. With another clearance from their backline and again looking dangerous, it took a strong grab from Jono to halt the momentum. He spotted Jamie on the wing, a quick side step and hit Brocky with a juggler. From long range he squeezes it home. The footy was rebounding out of our forward line, and our backmen were quickly under the pump. A kick towards full forward saw both players misjudged the footy and it rolled out the back for a goal. Keggy was willing the footy forward, scrambling it out to Googs who copped one high and set sail for the goals. Another goal to them and they were starting to pull away. Luckily, they were kicking plenty of behinds and from the kick in Mitch hit Jacko long, taking a big grab he wheeled and hit Mick on a long lead. From 45m out on an angle, he hit the board and got the lads fired up.
3QT – 7.9 – 8.14
With the game on the line and some firey words said at 3 qtr time, it was time to see what these lads were made of. It wasn’t a great start with them scoring the 1st. After a quiet day by his standards, we needed Chetts and the mids to give us more. And more they gave us, the very next footy he won it and handed off to a streaming Keggy, hitting Brocky short, he banged it long and a strong chest mark in the goal square from Micky B. The mid battle kept getting better and the footy was bouncing between the arcs. It took not 1 but 2 mighty efforts from Milky to make a contest, 1 on the wing and one deep in the pocket, both resulted in throw ins. On a day where we couldn’t buy a tackle, Googs stood up and laid some MASSIVE tackles, 1 resulting in a free kick. Patiently waiting, he lowered his eyes and found Marky through the middle, with Vallo streaming past, he was looking for Mick, but Wolfy waiting at his feet, clean as you like snaps his 4th. They missed an opportunity to go 2 goals up and sensing the urgency, Mitch went straight down the centre, a contested footy won by Chetts, a quick kick out to Timmy and another big contested mark from Luke. Cool as you like, he slots his 2nd and gets us within a goal. They went forward and were looking like scoring until a hard contest from Harley extracted it out to AB, finding Gios on the wing he banged it long to Socky, out of position he provided a great contest and managed to go long to the forward pocket. The ball rolled out deep in the pocket and somehow Mick scored a free kick. After a fairly quiet day, cometh the man, cometh the moment, with 2 minutes left on the clock he bananad it through and put us back in front, clutch! The next couple of minutes was a scrum and every single player was in Swan Views forward line. Finally the ump blew his whistle and a roar from the terraces. I don’t know what it is about us in finals, but we love to get the punters heart racing.
FT – 11.10 – 9.18
Just like the whole season, these boys showed heart when it mattered and that final qtr was nothing less than inspirational. Impressive effort to make it to another grand final and hopefully the week off will give us some fresh legs.
We need to acknowledge everyone who keeps this great club going. From GM, Macca, Chris on keeping the facilities and oval functional. Foxy and the committee for all their hard work behind the scenes, the logistics of running a club is similar to running a business, and anyone who has run a business knows it isn’t always a picnic.
Of course, without the Sponsors, supporters and players, we wouldn’t even have a team. A HUGE Thanks to everyone who has committed money and time to make this a great club.
We hope to see everyone out at Mundaring next weekend to help cheer the lads on to another flag!
A wet and wild Saturday night out at Percy Cullen. We headed out to Gidge to take on the Bulldogs in what was one of the least flooded grounds in town.
With 4th spot up for grabs, we were anticipating a hungry opponent. Jacko won the 1st tap down to Matty who quickly slapped it on the boot and with head in hands did his best to try convince the ump he copped one high. Play on! Some scrappy footy and big hits made it very hard to get a clean grab. The coach made a brilliant tactical move by putting Rooster forward, only to do a hammy while having a shot. Mick wasn’t sure whether he was meant to be playing footy or at the pub, but the short sleeve didn’t go unnoticed. Harley took a nice grab at CHF and tried to find Mick in the pocket, it popped back out to a waiting Outy 35m out. Ice cold as usual, he finally got our 1st after 4 behinds. With another 3 behinds on the board, Keggy stepped up and showed em how its done, like most of his possessions he had to work hard for that one.
2.7 – 0.1
As the rain got heavier, the clashes got harder. It wasn’t long before Brocky got grumpy after a late hit and yellow carded for retaliating, probably had enough of the rain. Even in the swamp, Cody was still happy to go for a run of halfback, he missed Marky with a short pass and the rebound ended in a goal. A great contest and tackle from Jono, holding the ball, he spotted up Mitch through the middle and barreled it long to the goal square. Another ground ball crumbed by Spike and he dribbled it right to the line. A few more shots at goal flew wayward and the lads were making Rich earn his money.
Finally, it stopped raining long enough to enjoy some cleanish footy. Jacko clean as a whistle down to Chetts with a tight tag, any other team reading this I don’t know why you bother, even Ryan Crowley couldn’t stop him, under pressure he squeezed it out to Gios and with surgical precision found Brocky with a strong grab. This man doesn’t miss to many and he got us off to a good start. Salas and AB were getting their hands dirty across the halfback and generating some run, linking up with Harls through the centre, long to Mick and a nice contested mark saw him finally hit the board.
Somehow, they managed to find some space in their forward line and they had a 2nd on the board. They got it forward again, but Linga was having none of that as he gracefully scooped it up and delivered to Milky. In a paddock he took off and found Marky basically on his own, with composure he chipped one over to Gios. In typical Gios fashion, he flushed it beautifully from the paint. Mitch took charge in the centre and Socky clean as a whistle burst through to hit Matty with a 10m sliding mark. He had his 2nd and looking like the Matty of 2023, shame injury and work means we haven’t got to enjoy his clinics this season.
4.3-1.0
And just when you thought it couldn’t get much wetter, it absolutely pissed down. By this point pretty sure the lads were cursing me for stitching them up. Googs was keeping a tight leash but we know he loves a good fist and he smashed it down to a waiting Pricey. He hit top gear and delivered to Keggy for his 30th touch, who delivered to Harley for his 10th grab and eventually Micky B for his 2nd mark and with that I love cheap thrills scream, he had 2 and went straight to the showers. As the rain kept smashing down, it was all about preservation. Times like these you wish the umps would call the game early and enjoy a couple of frothies.
Thanks to everyone who came to watch, the crowd from both sides was pretty impressive, considering that was the wettest game I’ve seen in the HFA.
Country Week Competition …
Come down and support the team this Friday and Saturday 12 – 13 July as The HFA takes on the best of the WA country leagues. Mitch Shilling is representing the Pickering Brook Football Club.
Friday – Gill Fraser Reserve, Nth Fremantle
Game 1 v Esperance@12pm
Game 2 v Central Wheatbelt@3pm
Saturday – Pentanent Stadium, Joondalup
Game 1 v North Midlands@11am
Game 2 v Onshore Cup@12
Round 13, Mundaring V’s Pickering Brook Sunday 7 July at Mundaring Oval
Another reasonably short drive out to Mundaring to take on the Roos and hopefully get back on the winners list.
Due to injuries, work and winter breaks, we were scrambling to get 22 and ended up with 21 to start with. Amazing how quickly you can go from a list of 35 to pulling players out of retirement!
The Skip was back and didn’t take long to get involved with a couple of shuffles, that resulted in some not so graceful moves. Bainsey was looking dangerous, taking some big contested marks and a ping or 2 at goal. After a couple of shots for both sides, another Keggy inspired center clearance ended up with Mick and we were on the board. The ruck dual was fairly even, considering their ruckman was under 6 foot, until Jacko copped an accidental fist to the face, resulting in some nice war paint. Quinny was back in and looking smooth as ever, with a clean pickup, some candy, he nailed it from 40m out. Although it seemed we were inside 50 more often, they managed to kick a couple of goals with some clean footy.
4.2 – 2.0
After resting most of the 1st, we put Jacko up forward and kept Big bro Mitch on ruck duty. Chetta and Keggy were being made to earn it and again Bainsey was looking the most dangerous forward. Another good mark and goal#2 for the day, could of easily had 5 by halftime. We were starting to get on top until injury ended Steves day, adding to the already lack of mid rotations. Timmy was one of those rotations, providing quick hands out to Vlas, chip out to Mitchy J streaming off the square and finding Mick on a strong lead.
The backline was providing plenty of run through Cody and his run and carry helped clear the half forward line. Though we were taking to many shots from 40m+, resulting in 8 behinds for the qtr.
6.10 – 2.2
With only 2 on the bench to start the 2nd, we were going to need to start well. Well, they came out hungry and took it straight out of the guts and down the forwards throat. Another clearance and before we knew it, they had another couple of goals on the board. The middle wasn’t providing much pressure and Jono and JB were doing their best to provide it down back. It would take some individual brilliance from AB to stem the flow. Just as they were clearing it again, somehow AB managed to run across the wing/half forward and get a smother in, then he managed to beat 3 players and win a free kick. Ice cold under pressure and too hot to handle. With a controlled kick to Socky, he nailed a leading Brocky, wheeling and finding Mick in the pocket. I nice snap for goal and he was fired up! Spike was providing some good leads and was rewarded with a nice chip pass from Cozza got him on the board and his 1st for the Hawks.
8.13 – 6.5
Going into the final qtr on the back foot and 2 men down was going to test the lads character. Especially with the noise coming from the local crowd. Jacko was back in the ruck and ready to give the lads that much needed 1st use. It wasn’t long before Keggy had a boot on it and into the waiting arms of Brocky. Another beautifully timed kick hitting Mick out in front. After copping some friendly encouragement behind the goals, he slotted #5. By this point our regular mids Keggy and Vlas were running on empty but still giving it everything, Vlas snapping a nice goal while having a rest. The half backline of Googs, AB and Cody kept it tight and stopped them from getting it deep enough to score. While their backline put up a good fight, the constant leading from Mick, Spike and Vallo was to much in the end. Micky B finished with 7 for the day and BOG.
13.15 – 6.5
In the end it was a really gutsy win. We started with 21, finished with 20 and were really challenged in the 3rd.
This week the lads can recover and if you’re still after a footy fix, The HFA team will be playing in the AG Nutrient carnival.
Friday – Gill Fraser Reserve, North Freo
Saturday – Pentangent Stadium, Joondalup
Also, BIG WEEK at the club NEXT Sunday.
Not only will we be celebrating the ladies with a LADIES DAY, including an amazing door prize, 1 x wine/bubbly/beer, plenty of finger food and gate entry for $15.
But, we will also be celebrating Timmy McQuoids 200th game!
One of the best and most respected players to pull on a Hawks jumper. The way he plays footy and conducts himself on and off the field, what’s not to love? Legend
Congratulations mate!!!
This report courtesy of Rig Safe, proud sponsors of the Pickering Brook Football Club
Round 12, Swan View V’s Pickering BrookSunday 30 Jun 24 at Brown Park
This week we travelled down to Swan View for the much anticipated, top of the table clash. With some pretty decent weather forecast, the lads were looking forward to challenge.
The day started off well with Cory having to pull the boots on and Barby arriving last minute to run water. There was a decent crowd building as they sat around the boundary enjoying the sun. The ball went up and straight away you could see the wind was going to be a big factor, as it blustered across the ground towards the northern end.
With an even ruck to get things under way, they managed to get the footy out and nailed the 1st for the day. After conceding the 1st goal of the game all season, the lads kept their focus and Keggy banged it forward, with ever reliable hands takes a nice overhead mark and sets up Wolfy with a nice chest mark for our 1st of the day. After a scramble in the backline they found an avenue to goal and it was clearly game on!
This sparked Gio into action as he got the hard ball and worked the old 1,2 with Mitch down the wing and Timmy taking another contested grab. Unfortunately, he shanked that one, but got another chance with a free kick and made it count.
3.3 – 2.1
The 2nd started with another clash of bodies, it was clear they were targeting Steveo and trying to get under his skin. Not sure if the tactic worked but they moved it forward and JB had his hands full with their new recruit. It was a bit of a scrap, but eventually they kicked the 1st of the 2nd. You can imagine this only fired up JB even more and he laid some monster tackles that went unrewarded. Not really sure why the AFL keeps mucking around with the rules, but you’ve got to feel for the umps with the holding the ball interpretation. The footy spent a bit of time on the west side wing as the players battled with wind. It also spent a bit of time in our back line. The lads were now very focused and AB was never far from the action, providing plenty of pressure and a cool head, he chipped it out to Bainsey and in typical fashion turned and found Wolfy with another nice chest mark. He slotted our only goal, as both teams struggled to find the big sticks. Although they found a man out the back of the 50 and he sailed one home in the dying seconds. It was starting to heat up and a bit of a scrap and trash talk finished the half.
4.6 – 4.5
With a bit of feeling in the game, it was time for the lads to re-focus. Vlas provided some much needed grunt and fed the hardball out to a waiting Jamie, who was instantly under pressure, but managed to squeeze it out to a Gio and had to beat 2 opponents. We were looking for Micky B, but after trying to weld his finger during the week, struggled to get a handle on it. After a couple of misses from both sides, eventually they moved it forward and goaled to level the scores. Our midfield were working hard but a lack of midfielder meant they had to keep pushing. They launched it forward and Googs provided a big fist, hitting Vlas in the square, who linked up with Lukey and hitting Brocky with a nice lead. With the wind blowing across his right shoulder, he guided it home for a much needed settler. After a hard qtr with plenty of big hits, they ended it with a goal to hit the lead at 3 qtr time.
5.8 – 6.9
The 4th started with a finals like atmosphere and the passion from the crowd really lifted. With laser focus, Jacko and the mids needed to get us off to a good start. Jacko guided it down to Vlas, with intense pressure managed to find Keggy and under similar pressure kicked it as long as he could. The forward line kept the pressure on early and another under pressure kick found Chetta on his own. He went back and guided it home to get the scores back on par. They kept pushing hard and a hit to the guts saw Wolfy rolling around on the ground in anger. Mitch, Bomber, Sala and Jono were keeping the pressure on and kept repelling attack after attack. Although 1 to many attacks saw them kick a goal and hit the lead again. Milky took more than 1 goal saving mark and many a timely fist and his long kicks got us out of trouble on more than 1 occasion. With one of his long, raking kicks, he found Gios with 2 opponents and a great kick/mark. With another long kick deep into the forward line, the contested scrappy footy somehow found Bainseys boot and we were 1 point down. With less than 5 minutes on the clock it was anyone’s game and the intensity was GF like. After threatening with a couple of shots at goals they eventually goaled with a minute on the clock and an 8 point lead was enough.
7.8 – 8.10
Unfortunately, we didn’t come home with the win. But, it was nice to have a close, high pressure game, that our lads had been craving. We’ll be better for the hit out and can’t wait to play against these lads again.
Don’t forget July 12-14 is country week and it would be great to see some spectators come down and cheer on the HFA Association team!
Round 11, PBFC V’s Gidgegannup Sunday 23 June, PB Oval. (Note: Editor missed the last 3 games because of leg surgery.)
HAWKS GAME CANCELLED!
Good morning loyal supporters, it is with great disappointment to inform you that due to various reasons, the opposition is unable to field a side this weekend. Therefore the game will be forfeited.
However, due to the planning and effort gone into organising, we will still be going ahead as planned with the Ladies and Lads Masters games from 11am.
Welcome to Country will now be before the Mens game at 12:30.
Although it’ll be disappointing not to see the lads run out in the indigenous jumpers, we can still support the club by coming down and watching yesterday’s heroes and having a drink. The footy will be on the big screen, heaters going and canteen open!
NO GATE FEE FOR THIS WEEK!
Round 10, PBFC V’s Bullsbrook Sunday 16 June, PB Oval. Hawks won by 113 points. Note I have missed the last
Round 9, Chidlow V’s PBFC Sunday 9 June, Chidlow Recreation Centre. Hawks won by 86 points.
Round, 8 Mt Helena V’ PBFC Sunday 2 June, 2024 Elsie Austin Oval. Hawks won by 143 points.
It’s been a while, but we were back at The Club to take on the Saints for Think Mental Health Round.
As we officially recognised mental health this round, we should be conscious of it every day. Mental and physical health are what keeps you going, so please take the time to look after both and ask for help if needed.
As the injuries and winter start to take toll, the opposition managed to get 17 players to travel up and give us a game. With 17 a field and fairly decent weather, we started with both Chetts in the guts. Jacko won the 1st of many taps to give our lads first use. The hardball specialists found a way to squeeze it out to Brocky, shrugging aside his opponent, hitting Mick lace out and straight through the middle. It was a scrappy 1st qtr with not much clean footy going forward. Somehow both Wolfy and Jamie opening their accounts after some strong work around the packs. 4.4-0.2
Is that Arnie I see? After warming up for Masters in Rockingham, he raced up the hill in time for his 1st game of the year. Why you ask? Besides the fact he is part machine, maybe mostly, injuries have started to take their toll. With a mighty fist he smashed it to Timmy on the 50m arc, stepping aside his opponent and hitting Wolfy in the pocket. He snapped a run of behinds with a nice check-side straight over Dicks hat. Their midfield had a crack and had a few clearances that kept hitting Bomber and AB on the lead. Yes, they were playing in the backline but leading and marking like forwards. With pin point accuracy they were moving the footy quickly through Gios and Milky, galloping down the wings, they hit Wolfy and Jamie leading out of full forward. De ja vu but with a chain of different players. A goal and a few behinds from Mick gave us a nice lead that could have been much better. 10.10-1.2
After no doubt getting a spray during the break after spraying so many, the lads were still cleaning themselves off when their full forward, who was wearing the tightest shorts ever seen in Pickering Book, came out firing with 2 goals and the last of the 1st half. With no Cody down back, Mitch and Rooster had to get them settled quick, otherwise they could have a game on our hands. Of course, you don’t see Steve get beaten out the middle to often, so the next center clearance saw him flex, getting the footy out to Vlas who with great vision, burned all 3 leading forwards to hit Vallo out all on his own. Just to add to his highlight real, Wolfy channeled his inner Maradona to execute a flying bicycle kick from the pocket, that somehow hit Micky B on the chest. Unbelievable!
14.14-4.2
After kicking 5 goals, Mick was banished to full back to start the qtr. Arnie gave Jacko a chop out and guided it to a gliding Quinny, parting his way through the guts and barreled it home from 60m out. Marky kept working forward and got himself on the board. Unfortunately his hunger got the best of him and he copped a massive hit from Googs going back with the flight. Bomber was having a run through the middle on his way to another footy for the trophy cabinet, while Jamie and Wolfy were helping themselves to another bag with 5 & 6 respectively. A great win by the lads and hopefully we get a few back this week, otherwise we’ll be calling on a few masters.
Gotta give Scroopy a mention as well, runner, water and score keeper! Legendary effort and even more impressive he only got the score wrong twice.
This week we celebrate Indigenous round and all our multicultural people who make this country and game the best. Come join us for a huge day starting with the Ladies@11am, masters@12:30 and of course the Mighty Hawks v Gidge@2:30.
Raffles, tickets and merchandise will be available to purchase all day.
Hope to see you there!
Round 7, Bye
Round 6, PBFC V’s Mundaring
Twas another mint day for footy out at the Brook, as we took on The Roos for BELT UP Round.
Mick B accepting the ‘Belt-up’ football
Hit with injuries and FIFO, the opposition was struggling for numbers, this was obvious during the line up. We decided to start with 16v16, even though they had 19. This opened both forward lines right up and before you knew it Mickey B was on the board.
Both Luke and Matt were back and had an immediate impact with Chetta hitting Matt and lacing it out to Lukey. Casually as you like, goes back and opens his account for the day.
Quinny picked up where he left off and kept hitting the footy with no remorse, setting up Mickey B for goal#2, or possibly behind#1. All I know is the ball spent a lot of time up forward and on the race track! When Keggy came streaming out the guts and hit Luke without breaking stride, a big score was looming 7.4 – 0.1
With 7 on the bench, Scroopy, in a knee brace after an innocuous incident as the runner last week, was working hard making sure everyone got their minutes. Although some seemed happier to spectate and commentate. Mundaring came out hard and managed to score the 1st. The pressure had lifted and everyone, particularly the backline needed to switch back on. To be fair not sure if any of the back 6 touched it in the 1st. Rooster was back and along with Mitch managed to protect the extra space, always difficult if midfield applies none, but even more so with 5 on 5. This definitely didn’t sit well with Cody, taking an intercept mark and having a stroll down the wing, he butchered the pass, but cleaned it up with a big 2nd effort. Lucky AB is never far to clean up and popped it up for Brocky to take a nice grab. From 45m out he pinned the ears back and squeezed it home to close out a scrappy qtr. 10.6 – 1.2
With another stirring halftime speech from bday boy Ben, the lads came out firing. Maybe not on all cylinders, but 3rd gear was enough. Especially, since they had lost 3 to injuries and were down to 16!
This time it was Tim’s turn to get his hands dirty and with a well-timed hand ball hit a passing Gios with a bullet to Mick in the pocket. A nice snap around the corner and he had goal#4 or 5. Not to be out done Vlas dived on the footy, rolled out and snapped one of the left. Goal of the day!
Again, this caught the backmen sleeping and they managed to steal a 2nd. Now I love my backmen, so this must have been due to lack of forward and midfield pressure. Or possibly lack of pressure everywhere. Couldn’t remember exactly where Bomber was playing all day, but he wasn’t missing out, finishing with 3 goals in row to finish the 3rd! 16.11 – 2.2
With the game in the bag, our lads didn’t put the foot down, in fact, our 4th qtrs are becoming the most ruthless. Jamie chimed in with a contested goal, lots of love goes out to him and his family. The mids were running a clinic, with Keggy taking his own ball out the guts and slamming home 2 goals.
Marky may not spend as much time in the midfield but we know the skipper loves kicking a goal more. Chetta was getting leather poisoning and keen to take home another footy. But Michael had other plans, showing no mercy to his opponent, he kept racking up mark after mark. They may not have all sailed through for goal, but not one of them hit the goal net. He finished with 8.6 and BOG.
All I can say is, your forward line is only as good as your midfield, but the forward line makes the mids look good! And of course, the backline makes everyone look good.
Enjoy the weekend off everyone and we will see you out at Mt Helena next weekend Sunday 2 June at 12.30 PM
This page is dedicated to Della’s Electrical Services, proud sponsors of the Pickering Brook Football Club.
