After leading the HFA competition all season in 2023 the Hawks went on to win the Grand Final against Chidlow at Chidlow Oval last Sunday, 10 September 2023.
A large crowd attended this game hoping the Hawks would throw off the shackles that has prevented them from winning a premiership in the Hills competition for 31 years.
Over the past 13 years Pickering Brook and Chidlow have battled for the premiership cup on 4 occasions with Chidlow victorious in all of them.
Since 2011 the Hawks had reached the Grand final on 3 other occasions losing to Gidgegannup twice and once to Mt Helena in 2021 creating a ‘hoodoo’ that many supporters thought would never be broken.
Hawks coach Michael Outridge was determined that despite a run of injuries leading up to the finals he had the team with the skill and fitness to win this encounter and end the hoodoo hovering over the Hawks!
As it turned out the Hawks had the courage to forget past defeats and they led in this game from start to finish to the joy of their supporters.
The game was a torrid affair with both sides throwing everything they had into the contest. The Hawks scored the first goal through Mick Brescacin and Tim Mcquoid who was every where in the forward line during the first quarter.
Rowan Arnott was dominating the ruck, providing opportunities for rovers Steve Caccetta and Brad Jetta to penetrate Chidlows back line with John Armstrong creating plenty of headaches for the Cougars backs.
As expected, Cougars veterans Adam Mckinlay, Matt Mallaby and Luke Elliot started to pressure the Hawks backs, who stood firm through Mitch Shilling and Cody Christensen, by repulsing many attacks throughout the game.
Ben Harffey will provide one of his ‘blow by blow’ descriptions on this game in This Weeks Topic, ‘Hawks action in 2023’ so I will leave this description of the game to him.
This was a great team performance and made us proud of the Pickering Brook Football Club, Premiers 2023!
Final Scores: Pickering Brook 13.14 – 92, Chidlow 9.8 – 62
The HFA presentation for the victors took place after the game where Coach Outridge and Captain Mitch Shilling were presented with the Associations Perpetual Trophy and Grand Finals Winner’s Cup.
Hawks players were then presented with their commemoration medals. (Chidlow for once had to sit through all this!) Bradley Jetta won the best player award for the Grand Final and we wish to add our congratulations.
Celebrations after the win were held at the Pickering Brook Sports Club where a large group of supporters saw the players sing the clubs victory song and display their trophies.
Celebrations for this win are expected to last for a long period as Sporting Club President Fred van Elswick said ‘this was the Hawks first GF win in the 31 years the club has been in the Hills Football Association’.
Season finishing positions and finals appearances for the PBFC since 2011 – GF lost to Gidgegannup, 2012 – lost GF to Gidgegannup, 2013 – lost Elimination Final to Gidgegannup, 2014 lost 1st Semi-Final to Parkerville, 2015 – finished in 5th position, 2016 – finished second bottom, 2017 – lost 1st Semi-Final to Parkerville, 2018 – lost GF to Chidlow, 2019 – lost Preliminary final to Chidlow, 2020 – lost GF to Mt Helena, 2021 – lost GF to Chidlow, 2022 – lost GF to Chidlow, Defeated Chidlow in GF 2023!
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