Harden Hawks Legendary Trainer Glen Howe will be on hand to look after the Hawks squads on the big day. The Youth League kicks off at 10:10am, just 26 hours away. Such is the respect for Glen’s ability at repairing and rehabilitating player injuries over the last 30 years, many Hawks seek Glen’s advice before heading to the Doctor.
The Harden Hawks are calling on their supporters to descend on McLean Oval on Saturday, as the club attempts to bring home 3 Premierships in the George Tooke competition. The Youth League Grand Final commences at 10:10am where Harden Murrumburrah and surrounds young men take on the Tuggeranong Bushrangers. If successful they will claim a maiden premiership. The Hawkettes will be taking on the Bungendore Tigerettes in their Grand Final at 11:40am. Harden will be looking to reverse last year’s Grand Final loss to Bungendore. The main game will see the undefeated Harden Hawks take on the North Canberra Bears after the Bears won a hard fought match against Gunning 18 to 12 last Saturday.
The Harden Hawks will be out to win their first Premiership in 7 years. The Hawks haven’t claimed a title in 7 years. The club’s 3 premierships coming in ‘62, ‘81 and 2009. The lack of premierships has not occurred from a lack of trying. The Harden club have played in many unsuccessful Grand Final attempts with the Hawks competing against much larger towns in Group Nine up until 2007. They won their first Premiership back in 1962 when they defeated West Wyalong 18-10. They lost 3 successive Grand Finals previous to that in 1958 and 59 against Temora before going down to West Wyalong in 1960. They lost again in 1964 to Junee 17-7. It was another 11 years before the Hawks got another chance against Turvey Park in 75, going down 26-6. They faced Wagga Kangaroos in 1979 only to come up short 20-7 before claiming their historic win in 1981, 18-15.
The Hawks then suffered from a Grand Final appearance drought before they began to make Group 9 sit up and take notice when they made 3 Grand Finals in 4 years. 1996 saw Harden go down to Adelong Batlow 20-10. In 1997 they were defeated by Tumbarumba 28-22 and in 1999 they went down to the Wagga Kangaroos 40-16. The Harden Hawks were forced out of Group Nine in 2007 as the larger towns with cashed up clubs brought in stars on big money to deliver premierships. The 3 Grand Final appearances made by Harden in the late 90s were made up of players who were predominantly local products. Names such as Ward, Pobjie, Ricketts, Quinn and Whybrow are to name but a few.
Harden has performed strongly since joining the George Tooke Shield with a joint venture Grand Final appearance as the South West Brahmans going down 23-14 against Bungendore in 2007. A Premiership in 2009 followed when the Hawks reformed defeating Bungendore in extra time16-11. Harden went on to face Binalong 3 times in 2010, 2013 and 2014 going down 25-12, 32-6 and 34-4.
All of this history is great to learn and understand, it shows just a small portion however, of the blood sweat and tears which makes up a football club. One thing is for sure on Saturday though, and that is, none of the history matters for the 80 minutes our young men and women are playing on McLean Oval. They must live and play in the moment and take the oppotunities when they present themselves and create the opportunities needed to secure victory. They must play as Daft Punk have said “Harder, Better Faster Stronger.” Leave nothing in the tank and execute their game plans to precision. They must be brutal in defence yet control their aggression. They must Carpe Diem and make it theirs. We wish the Harden Hawks Club all the best and know they will do the town proud which ever way the result goes. Good luck Hawks. Hawks Hawks Hawks!!!
