Baulkham Hills Hawks Swoop Off with Three Titles

Baulkham Hills Hawks have much to celebrate after three of their four teams won their AFL grand finals recently.

The champions are the Under-11 Tarrant, Under-13 YG Glover and Under-15YG Mack teams. Under-12 Baker finished impressive runners-up in their grand final.

The Hawks Under-11 Tarrant defeated Camden JAFC 42 (to 2 after being command throughout the grand final. Best on Ground was Sebastian Bush (Baulko Hawks).

Baulko Hawks Year 13 Glover outclassed North West Lightning Youth Girls 82 to 8, after leading 40-8 at half-time. Ana Sue Delana was named the Best on the Field.

In the Year 15 grand final, Baulko Mighty Macks overcame St Ives 23 to 4 despite being held scoreless in the first and third quarters.

Hawks president Kirsten Groll praised all four teams in the grand finals, saying the club was very proud of them. “Hold your heads up high, you have worked hard this year, and making the grand final is something to be proud of,” she said.

For Hawks Under-11 coach Trent Sandercoe, it was an emotional day because the Hawks have been his childhood club and also his son’s team.

“If you had asked us (assistant coach Casey Norrish) and I at the beginning of the season, with such a diverse group of kids (athletically and skill wise) that we would playing in a Division 1 Grand final, we would have said … maybe,” Trent said. “I was so proud of the way the team developed and played as a team throughout the season to make the grand final. Then on the day, the team played their best game both as a team and as individuals to bring it home.

“On a personal level it was pretty satisfying to help get my childhood club, and now my son’s club, a premiership win.”

The team was well led by Harvey Irvine, and vice-captain Sebastian Bush. The team managers were Rachael Smith and Joe Rizzuti.

Coach Grant Pittendrigh of the champion Year 13 Glover team, captained by Asher Ally, said their team spirit was exceptional and they were a “brilliant bunch of girls.”

“The girls built their teamwork nicely throughout the year to give themselves another opportunity on grand final day,” Grant said. “To produce the ultimate team display and turn that opportunity into a great moment that they will remember forever was awesome to see.

“The girls had three team words that they decided played by: strength, determination and communication.” Darren Hardman was the assistant coach while the manager was Ben Caunt.

Rick Berville, the Year-15 coach, praised the hard work throughout the season. It was a double celebration for skipper Piper Lillia who completed 100 games.

“I am so proud of the girls they worked really hard to get to the GF, and their determination paid off,” Rick said. “They played without subs every week and often without a full team.

“On the GF day, we had a few serious injuries, but the girls played on, and that just showed me how much these girls meant to each other and being a part of a well-bonded team. It was my privilege to work with the girls this season.”

Darren Peebles was assistant coach while the managers were Merryn Lillia and Jen Murnane.

The Hawks Under-12 Bakers lost their grand final to Penrith 22-46, but coach Wes Komorowski could not have been prouder of his young charges.

“It was fantastic for the team to make their first grand final and for them to put up an amazing performance,” said Wes. “ To watch the boys improve so much through the year was very satisfying.”

Hawks skipper Bernie Irvine was named Best on Field while Kris won the Sportsmanship Award. Daniel Irvine was the assistant coach.