By Trevor Jackson
IF one side in the Mid South Eastern Football League has something to prove it is Kongorong.
The Hawks finished with the wooden spoon in 2023, but were certainly not without some strong games across the season.
A major issue for the Hawks was injury, which decimated the side as the season progressed.
Coach Cam Sandercock said it was a frustrating season, with ups and more downs throughout the year.
“Last year when we first started, Kalangadoo we were seven goals up at three quarter time and they rolled us in the end,” he said.
“Port Mac got the jump on us and kicked seven goals in the first quarter.
“We won the next three quarters but couldn’t close the gap.
“Then we rolled Glencoe, but from then on, every game we picked up and injury or two.
“We rolled through 43 injuries and had an horrific year.
“The worst thing was most of it was nothing to do with footy.
“It was all work related.”
The Hawks will need everything to go right to move back up the ladder, but with a different structure in the roster, Sandercock is keen to put that behind him and concentrate on what he hopes will be a more successful year of football.
“We have had about six or seven outs and the same ins,” he said.
“We picked up a few older heads – our average age last year was about 20 in the end.
“Last year, trying to get a side used to playing with each other was hard with all the injuries, so hopefully that will improve this year.”
Sandercock said training had been well attended and upbeat.
He also noted a concentration on trying to keep the younger players at the club.
“We have some good young players coming through,” Sandercock said.
“Corbin O’Dea and Will Vickery, Darcy Hunt from East – he had an injury prone year last year but this year he is looking good – those three will be good to watch.”
Now in his third year as coach, Sandercock said the club was certainly in good spirits, with strong bonds between the players and the community.
“The boys are a tight-knit bunch,” he said.
“They aren’t backing down from anything.
“We will have a different game plan, but you can’t let all the cats out of the bag.
“I think they will be alright.”
The first test for the Hawks will be a reinvigorated Mount Burr under the tutelage of Clint Gallio, no easy feat for any side.
