Another second quarter fade out has cost the Great Western Lions victory in the Mininera and District Football League when they took on Hawkesdale Macarthur.
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Great Western started well in trying conditions, as young ruckman Rayne Salmon, along with his onballers Tom Cairns, Danny Grellet and BJ Burton, gave the Lions several opportunities inside forward 50.
Young star Lachie Malloy, Sam Cocks and the experienced Shannon Notting were also battling hard to get the scoreboard ticking over.
In poor conditions the ball went back and forth, with the game mostly played in the middle of the ground.
Much the same as last week however, after an even first quarter Great Western were blown away by a hungrier opposition.
Hawkesdale Macarthur controlled the play, kicking 10 goals to one to effectively end the game at the long break.
Thomas implored his players to keep their heads up and fight it out and to the team's credit they were able to stem the flow of goals.
While the game was never in doubt for Hawkesdale, the embattled Lions made things a lot tougher for their opposition in the second half with Nathan Ringin, Ryan Cullen and Josh McCartney providing plenty of pressure at the contest.
The inform Ringin was repelling plenty of ball off half back.
Some positive signs for the Lions was a return to form for full forward Ben Hustler who in tough conditions kicked three second half goals, giving him some confidence going into a huge match against SM&W Rovers next weekend.
The list of injury concerns still lingers for Great Western with captain Brett Dowie still struggling with his knee, defender Mark Bradshaw suffering leg soreness and Danny Grellet an injured hip.
Those three players will be closely monitored throughout the week as the Lions can ill afford losing any more of their senior players.
The final score on the weekend was Great Western 8.9.57 losing to Hawkesdale-Macarthur 18.18.126.