Barooga is building momentum as the Murray Football League season approaches its zenith.
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Unfortunately for the Hawks, that momentum will not be used in the finals this year, but it will certainly help lay the platform for the side’s next campaign. The Hawks ground out a 9.10 (64) to 6.19 (55) win against Moama on Saturday to secure back-to-back victories, with teenager Riley Gow proving the destroyer with six goals.
‘‘It was a pretty ugly game to be honest and I reckon Moama would say the same,’’ Barooga coach James Hazelman said.
‘‘But to come out on the winning side of it is a positive.
‘‘That’s two wins in a row now and hopefully we can finish with another next week. ‘‘Riley’s such a natural talent and as a local kid if he works hard he’s going to be the type of player you can build a side around.’’
Xavier Hunt, Will Robinson, Ricky Thomson, Brendan Goesch and Logan Morey were also impressive for Barooga, which will complete its campaign in round 18 against Congupna.
‘‘Our main focus is obviously to finish as well as we can,’’ Hazelman said.
‘‘We’ve lost four games by under 10 points this season, so if it had have gone a little bit differently we’d be the ones still finding ourselves in a battle for finals.’’
The clash will mark the end of Hazelman’s tenure as coach of the Hawks, but he is still aiming to come back from a serious knee injury and take to the field again.
"This will be my last game as coach, I’m finishing up,’’ he said. ‘‘Football moves pretty fast, so the club is in the process of looking for a new coach and can hopefully find one in the next few weeks. ‘‘I’m still in the process of rehab with the knee, but the plan is to play footy again.
‘‘I have enjoyed it, it’s had its ups and downs and I’ll always be proud of making the grand final, but to walk away without a premiership does burn because it’s what you do it all for.
‘‘Leigh Ramsdale, Nick Flanagan and Tyrone Downie are just a few of the boys who helped me out along the way and I probably wouldn’t have done it without them.
‘‘I’m always thankful for the opportunity the club gave me.’’
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