By Josh Ward
Overview:
In its second consecutive season in Division Three, Glen Waverley had to fight, but they pushed through and survived for yet another season in the fourth tier of the EFNL.
Finished seventh with a 2-7-1 record, it was a promising start to 2021 and for majority of their games were quite often in each contest, but they still lost their last five games, with three of those losses by single digits.
The Hawks had three players named in the Team of the Year and four in the squad, have already started recruiting for 2021 and will look to build with new coach Brett Gatehouse.
Best Win: Round 6 vs Waverley Blues (Glen Waverley 5.12.42 defeated Waverley Blues 5.11.41)
On a wild Saturday afternoon at Central Reserve, Glen Waverley managed to pick up their second win of 2021 in the Battle of Waverley, defeating Waverley Blues by the smallest of all margins and taking home the Community Bank Pinewood Cup.
Coming up against the 2019 Third Division runners-up, who had been inconsistent to start 2021, the Hawks were down by 17 at three quarter time before a strong final quarter gave Glen Waverley their second and best win of 2021.
Andrew Murray picked up the three votes on the day, with Luke Broad picking up two votes. Jack Steinfort, Scott McInerney, Ned Bradley, Nicholas Dore and Ashley Black were also all named in the best for the Hawks.
Matthew Sharpe got one B&F vote for the Blues, but despite inaccurate kicking, particularly in the final term where they kicked 2.7, it was still enough for Glen Waverley as they picked up their first win against their local rivals since re-entering Division Three.
Worst Loss: Round. 13 at Fairpark (Glen Waverley 12.10.82 defeated by Fairpark 13.11.89)
Up against a side who were still winless and having thumped them back in round four, it was disappointment and more heartbreak for Glen Waverley as they lost their third single-digit game of 2021, this time to Fairpark
A tight contest throughout, and with the Hawks having a six point lead at three quarter time, the Lions were the stronger side in the final quarter, winning it 33-20 and running over Glen Waverley to pick up a famous victory.
Adam Amin was yet again superb up forward, kicking four goals. Evan Pickering, Andrew Murray, Scott Davis, Ashley Black and Scott McInerney named in the best, with Billy Huxtable picking up the Best on Ground and two B&F votes.
Kyle Hird was named Fairpark’s Best on Ground and picked up three B&F votes, with Ben McLeod picking up one as the Lions got their first third division victory in 25 years.
Standout Player: Adam Amin
He has been a star for the Hawks since his first senior game in 2015 and Amin yet again shone up forward in 2021.
Was a constant threat in the forward line, kicking 35 goals in 10 games and only had one goalless game (against East Burwood). However, Amin was only named in Glen Waverley’s best twice.
Did get the most votes for Glen Waverley with five, including one BOG performance against Fairpark where he kicked nine goals, was also named in the forward pocket in the Division Three Team of the Year and will be crucial for the Hawks chances in 2022 if he stays with the club.
Offseason Plans:
The offseason at Staircom Oval has well and truly begun, with Glen Waverley announcing a new coach in ex-St Mary’s Salesian man Brett Gatehouse, as well as (at time of writing) four re-signings and four new signings.
All four signings, Jack Gale, Daniel Ryan, D’Arcy Grant and Louis Holmes, have followed Gatehouse from Ferndale Park and improve the Hawks across all three areas of the park, particularly up forward,
They’ve acquired a bit more depth in midfield, which could help them compete next year. And up forward they’ve got in Daniel Ryan and Louis Holmes, both of whom are proven goalkickers.
Ryan managed to kick 80 in 2017, but hasn’t been able to reach those heights since then. Louis Holmes though, despite having a slightly below standard 2021, has kicked 30 goals a season in every season he played bar one.