Great Western were under the pump all day, eventually going down by a massive 150 points to the premiership contenders.

The Lions never looked in the contest as Hawkesdale dominated the first quarter giving their forwards plenty of supply and leaving a shell-shocked Lions behind.

Hawkesdale piled on thirteen scoring shots in the first term while the Lions managed just two behinds for the quarter and just like that the game had slipped away.

Lions coach Nick Thomas was not impressed at the first break, pointing to the team’s lack of

effort and poor work rate as the key issues.

He pleaded with his side to provide both of those aspects for the remainder of the match and

there were signs of improvement. To the Lions credit they responded to their coach through

consistent midfielder Lachie Malloy, who was in every contest for the Lions.

He, along with Sam Cocks, Rayne Salmon and Tom McCord, provided some resistance against

a powerful Hawkesdale side that showed no signs of slowing down.

Key forwards Benjamin Julius and Charles Nield, who both finished with ten goals, continued

to cause headaches for the Lions defence.

The second half was more of the same from Hawkesdale Macarthur who ran rampant on their home

ground, adding sixteen goals to the Lions five majors to run away with the match with ease.

The Lions battled manfully, with in and under players Cody Virgona and Lachie Green finding

plenty of the ball and defender Bobby Garley having a fantastic second half, to reduce the influence

of Hawkesdale’s forwards.

In the finish it was Hawkesdale Macarthur 29.14.188 to Great Western 5.8.38.

Best players on the day were Lachie Malloy, Sam Cocks, and Bobby Garley.

After the match a disappointed Thomas praised his team’s commitment throughout a difficult season.