By Josh Ward
Overview:
After losing a lot of stars between 2019 and 2021, it was a season of growth for a young Rowville side.
They had their moments across what a tough season going 2-6 and finishing 10th after going 11-6 in 2019 and finishing fourth.
Whilst they lost plenty of stars they still found some young guns for the future, including goal kicker Lachlan Wynd.
Best Win: Round 2 vs Berwick (Rowville 17.16.118 defeated Berwick 9.4.58)
After Berwick’s impressive first outing in the competition, expectations for the Wickers went up a level and saw them enter this game as favourites, especially after Ben Wise named eight senior debutants, but it was the young Hawks who came away with the four points in a 10-goal thrashing of the Wickers.
Lachlan McDonald shone in midfield, collecting 31 disposals, 11 clearances, 15 contested possessions, went at 83% disposal efficiency and kicked three goals.
He was well supported by debutant Brock Coleclough in midfield who got 24 disposals, 13 contested possessions and 14 clearances.
Lachlan Wynd though was the star up forward on debut, kicking four goals as Rowville got the somewhat shock win over Berwick at Seebeck Oval in what was the first of only two wins in 2021.
Worst Loss: Round 10 vs Balwyn (Rowville 4.16.40 defeated by Balwyn 18.11.119)
Coming off the last weekend with a good win against North Ringwood at home in the second return of footy, Rowville got hit with a reality check by the red hot Tigers, getting thumped by 79 points.
In what was a dark day for Rowville, there were some shining lights courtesy of Taine Barlow and Lachlan Wynd, with Barlow collecting 30 disposals and eight rebound 50’s whilst Wynd kicked 3.5 and collected 16 disposals.
However, it was the TOTY duo Paul Pattison and Charlie Haley show, with Haley kicking 10 goals, including seven in the first half alone, along with 21 disposals. Pattison collected 37 disposals, 12 clearances, nine inside 50’s and 18 contested possessions.
The Hawks had their chances but ended up kicking 4.16 on the day in what was an absolute humbling by one of the best sides in the EFNL.
Standout Player: Lachlan Wynd
He had high expectations heading into 2021 given he was the son of the legendary and current East Burwood senior coach Stuart Wynd and boy did he meet those expectations.
In his first season, he made Team of the Year, kicked 23 goals, averaged 10.7 Disposals, 3.9 Marks Inside 50 & 2.4 Contested Marks.
He also averaged 3.3 goals per game, the second most by Team of the Year Forwards (behind Charlie Haley). The young Wynd looks set to have a bright future
Offseason Plans:
They had their stars across the field, but the Hawks are going to need to make improvements if they want to climb up the Premier Division table in 2022.
One thing they do need is a tall man down back and up forward. Over the course of 2021, they averaged the third least goals (9.5), second least intercept marks (13), as well as only 8.4 marks inside 50 and 11.3 contested marks per game in 2021.
They also conceded the third most points per game (86.8) and scored the fourth least points per game (68.5). Despite Wynd kicking 23 goals, their next best goal scorers were Kurtis Flakmore, Lachlan McDonald and Mitchell Garner with only six goals.
If the Hawks want to improve and stay in the top division of the EFNL men’s competition, they’re gonna need some versatility in the tall department.
Women’s: Overview:
They were the defending premiers of the South Division in the Eastern Region Women’s Competition of 2019, but this year it was a different story for the Rowville women.
Although they finished second last (ninth) with a 2-8 record, they found a little bit of form later in the year, but still struggled in the second tier of the EFNL Women’s competition.
Only one made the team of the year and the squad (Danielle Brotto), they’ll look to continue to develop their young side next year.
Best Win: Round 11 at Berwick (Rowville 6.1.37 defeated Berwick 2.4.16)
Facing a Berwick side who had won three of their last four and had defeated them earlier on in 2021, the Hawks picked up their second scalp of 2021 in this twilight matchup.
Coming off two massive losses by 83 points and 34 points against Ferntree Gully and Park Orchards, Rowville got a big win of their own.
Danielle Brotto continued her good season, kicking three goals. Isabelle Khoury picked up the three best and fairest votes, with Katie Cornish picking up two votes.
Worst Loss: Round 4 at East Ringwood (Rowville 6.6.42 defeated by East Ringwood 7.6.48)
Facing an East Ringwood side that had lost six games in a row since round 12, 2019, the Kangaroos were too good for the Hawks as they picked up their first win of 2021.
Both were winless to start 2021, with Rowville looking the better side with an average losing margin of 16.5 (East Ringwood = 73.3 points). It was a tight contest at Ainslie Park; however, a strong final quarter was the difference as East Ringwood won by a straight kick.
Danielle Brotto and Haneen Bou-Karroum kicked two goals each on the day, with Katie Cornish picking up her first B&F vote of 2021.
Standout Player: Isabelle Khoury
Danielle Brotto was a consistent performer throughout, but it was highly touted prospect Isabelle Khoury who was a standout whenever she performed.
The Hawthorn VFLW and Eastern Ranges midfielder only played five games, but still polled votes in four of those games, including two best on grounds against Park Orchards and in the win against Berwick.
Wasn’t drafted to anyone this year and didn’t make the team of the year but will be an extremely bright prospect wherever she plays, whether it be potentially in the AFLW, VFLW or in the EFNL with Rowville.
Offseason Plans:
Not a lot has happened for the Hawks since the end of the season, but it will be interesting to see if they can keep most of their young core. They could try to bring in some experience though.
It is a very talented side with plenty of youth, but if you want to compete in the top divisions, you need that touch of experience.