The whistle shrieked, a final, definitive sound that cut through the humid air at McLean Oval. It was more than a sound; it was a verdict. For the Harden Hawks, it was the triumphant announcement of their survival, a ticket punched for the next round of a season that was still very much alive.
The scoreboard, a silent, unblinking witness, cemented their victory: a gut-wrenching 10-8.
For the Binalong Brahmans, that same shriek was the death knell of their season. A bitter pill to swallow after a hard-fought battle, their campaign was over.
The journey had ended. The game itself was a masterclass in attrition, a gritty, defence-first clash that was as much a battle of wills as it was a contest of skill.
It was a day where every tackle was a statement and every metre gained was a hard-earned triumph.
The Hawks’ coach, Nick Hall, reflected on the brutal contest with a weary sort of respect.
“That’s probably the base of any good side,” he said, his voice hoarse from a day of sideline shouting. “And that’s definitely the base of Binalong. They always defend very well, they’re a physical side, they knock you around, and they get in front of you.”
He knew the Brahmans had endured a tough season, one plagued by injuries and inconsistency, but that didn’t diminish his respect for their core strength and grit. They had shown up, as they always did, ready to fight.
The scoreboard told a story of two teams locked in a dead heat, a testament to the importance of every single point. The Hawks’ victory was decided by the slimmest of margins, a final score that could have easily swung the other way with a different bounce of the ball. “I think the same number of tries,” Hall mused, shaking his head. “We had a try or two disallowed that we thought maybe could have opened up that gap a little bit more, but it came down to the kicking and fell in our favour.” It was a familiar outcome. The Hawks had consistently bested the Brahmans in recent years, but the wins were never easy. “It’s pleasing to beat them because they are a good side,” he added, a hint of genuine respect in his voice, the kind of respect that only comes from knowing you’ve faced a worthy opponent.
With the Brahmans now in their rearview mirror, the Hawks had secured a spot in the elimination semi-final against the Crookwell Green Devils. Hall wasn’t underestimating their next opponent. He knew what they were capable of and the brand of football they played.
“Crookwell are fresh in our minds; we only played them a few weeks ago,” he said, recalling a physical match that had left both teams battered and bruised. The Green Devils had a reputation as a relentless, physical side, a team that didn’t just play the game, but embraced the fight. “They’ve come off a couple of other physical games, so it will be interesting to see how healthy they are.”
The stakes were clear: it was “do or die” for both teams. Hall knew his own team was carrying their share of injuries and unavailable players, but there was a fierce resolve in his words as he looked ahead. “We’ll see who is available this week, and we’ll line back up, who needs a rest, who can dust themselves off and go again, and we’ll get into a fight with Crookwell this week.”
He knew the style of football the Green Devils played—the same consistent, powerful brand that had led them to grand finals and premierships for years. But he also knew that if Crookwell didn’t show up with their A-game, the Hawks would be there, ready to take advantage of any weakness.
This was the moment they had been working for all season, and they were ready to leave everything on the field. As for the victory over the Brahmans, Hall was quick to praise his players, singling out individual efforts that had contributed to the collective win. Corey Lucas was “terrific,” a consistent force in a game where every player had to perform. Steele Rudd was “exceptional on the wing,” his speed and agility a constant threat to the Brahmans’ defence. He singled out Riley Manwaring not just for his powerful runs but for his “great job” on defence, highlighting the all-around effort that had defined their victory.
“I thought the whole team had to perform, they had to stay connected and play well,” he said, rattling off more names like Josh Coade and Joie Whybrow. He was proud of every single player and their commitment, especially considering the challenges they had faced throughout the season. The injuries, the tough losses, the moments of self-doubt—all of it had led to this one moment.
“I wasn’t disappointed in anyone’s efforts, that’s for sure. I thought everyone played to their potential, and that’s what needs to happen for the next three weeks.”
The Hawks were a team on a mission, and they were ready to fight for their place in the finals. They had survived, and now it was time to thrive. The road ahead would be brutal, but they were ready to walk it, together.
– Tully Potts
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