With just four weeks left in the 2025 George Tooke Shield competition, Harden Hawks coach Nick Hall is feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the final stretch of the season. After a bye week that allowed the team to recover, Hall is optimistic about his side’s chances, but acknowledges that the road to the finals won’t be easy.
“We had the week off to freshen up, and now it’s back to business. Three games to go,” said Hall, with a confident yet calm demeanour.
“At this time of year, it’s been a long season, both mentally and physically. Everyone can use a bit of a break. It’s been cold and wet for a few weeks, so the week off was a good chance for us to recharge.”
Hall, who has been coaching for years, isn’t fazed by the ups and downs of the season, including the challenges that come with a week off or potential rainy conditions. “I don’t get too stressed about it. If it rains, fine. If we get three hard weeks of footy, fine. I’ve been doing this for so long now that I don’t see it as a problem, it’s just part of the job.”
The break also offered the team an opportunity to recover from injuries. Hall noted, “We’ve had a few injuries throughout the season, and this time off gives us a chance to physically get over some of those niggles. It’s a good reset for the boys.”
Looking ahead to their next challenge, Hall is cautious but optimistic about their upcoming matchup against Googong. The two sides faced off earlier in the season, with Googong putting in a decent performance despite some early-season injuries.
“I thought they were a good side when we played them in round one,” Hall reflected. “They showed potential, but they were missing a few key players at that time. They really came out strong, scoring early, but ran out of steam. But that was a while ago. I expect them to be much stronger now, with their key players back and their combinations coming together.”
Despite this, Hall remains confident in his team’s ability to perform. “Googong are a solid team, and playing them at home adds another layer of challenge. I’m wary of the threats they pose, especially after we’ve had a week off. But we’ve prepared well and we’re ready to face them head-on.”
Hall also acknowledged that while Googong has likely improved, so too have the Hawks. “We’ve got a big squad, and while we’ve had a few injuries, we’ve managed to rotate players and give them opportunities. It’s been a bit of a juggling act, but it’s helped us develop some depth. It’s not always easy to build combinations when you’re changing things up every week, but we’ve worked through it, and I think we’ll be fine.”
With just three or four games left in the regular season, Hall is focused on making the semis and carrying positive momentum into the finals. “We’re in a good spot to make the semis, but we need to keep our heads down and focus on playing well in these final weeks,” Hall explained.
“In recent years, we’ve been fighting for the top two, but just missed out. This year, we’re likely to be in the mix, but it all depends on how we finish these last few games.” The road ahead includes tough matches against Googong, Bungendore, and UC, with the Hawks aiming to build momentum and enter the finals on a high note.
“It’s about finding our footy and building some momentum,” Hall said. “You don’t want to limp into the semis, you want to go in with confidence. These next few games are crucial for us to make sure we’re in the best possible shape.”
With the finals just around the corner, the Harden Hawks are ready for the final push, and Coach Hall is confident that his side is primed to compete for the 2025 George Tooke Shield.
– Liam Stuart
