Brad Giddings left 3 players in his wake in a 2020 trial match against the Highland Storm, during the preseason, before Covid-19 hit our shores and the Hawks made the decision to sit the season out.
The uncertainty of the virus at the time left the club with little option. In has felt like an eternity since our twin towns has had local footy and this match was last played. That will all change next Saturday when the Hawks will again trial against the Highland Storm, this time at McLean Oval.
The Harden Hawks will be hitting the paddock against the Highland Storm at McLean Oval on Saturday March 20 at 3pm for the first of their trials, leading into the 2021 season.
The Harden Hawkettes who have been undefeated for the last two seasons prior to Covid 19, look set to take on the Jersey Girls from Binalong in the lead up match, which will commence at 2pm.
Harden is preparing for a big year with 4 sides on the paddock each week. The ladies tackle side will be trialing against the Queanbeyan Blues on the 27th in Canberra.The squad is hoping for a few more players to join but it is coming together nicely under the guidance of David Ings, Chris Ward and Cris Hocking.
The U19s side has also hit the training paddock and will be a joint side of Boorowa and Harden. They will be coached by Scott Duncan, originally from Coota, alongside the very experienced Chris Whybrow.
The ladies League Tag side have made the Grand Final every year they have played in the competition and will welcome back a host of familiar faces to the side for the 100 year celebrations. Made up of mainly local talent, the Hawkettes play an excellent style of fast paced and well drilled league tag, mixed in with some off-the-cuff footy. Even though many of the players are still in their late teens or early 20s they have played together for over 5 seasons and have been guided by long term Club President, Jason Pollard, who has a wealth of experience in Rugby League. The men’s side saw 22 players attend training last week and the squad has ballooned to 30 players meaning that it will be both a coach’s dream and a nightmare at the same time, especially when it comes to picking teams for the weekend. What it will mean is that players will have to attend training and push for positions and in doing so, should push each other to another level.
Club President Jason Pollard said, “ We have a lot of local players or former locals returning for the 100 year celebration season.
Ben Jamieson is another one, he has had a few years off but he is a former Group 9 rep. Chris James is another handy pick up for us. We also have some younger guys like Tyson Ings and Mick West, Jacob Prosser and Jesse Redmond.”
The Manwaring boys, Will and Riley will be returning to the maroon and white jumper with reports Will has been training the house down. Jono Pouono will be back and will likely play in the centres. He has been a prolific try scorer in the past for Harden with his speed and defensive capabilities a highlight. He is well supported by his family who travel out with him and often shout encouragment from the north east corner of McLean.
The Hawks are awaiting a few more signatures which will further bolster a strong and mainly local playing group.
The 100 year reunion has been set down for July 31 at this stage, however, the Hawks are waiting on a final draw from competition headquarters.
George Tooke will certainly have a local flavour with many of the sides located close to the twin towns. Boorowa, Binalong, Burrangong, Harden and the Coota Bulldogs making up 5 sides in the comp within a stones throw of each other.
It will certainly be a handful for our roving reporters to get across all of the teams with a focus on matches where local sides are playing each other from those listed above.
When asked who the ‘dark horse’ for this year’s premiership may be, Jason said, “Coota or Canberra Bears. They are always handy and time will tell.”
The Hawks are all kitted out and will present their new strip in next week’s edition of the Times.
Jason said, “We hope to get a good crowd up there to see and use the new facilities, the trials and to support the Hawks. Our other trial will be on April 20 against the UC Stars from Canberra who will be bringing out men and women’s tackle with the hope that there will also be matches for league tag and the 19s.”
Watch this space, the Hawks are gearing up for 100 years of Rugby League this year and we will follow their season and each side closely.
