Sport
14 July, 2026
Hawks soar past Bombers with 105-point victory
Talbot showcased the lethal potential of their acclaimed attacking arsenal at Maldon’s expense on Saturday, ascending to an impressive 105-point victory.
While the Hawks eventually overpowered the Bombers, the first quarter proved to be a tight affair.
Even as a noticeable gust pushed towards the non-clubroom wing that added an extra challenge to their ball movement, Talbot immediately looked threatening, registering six inside 50s in the opening five minutes.
Yet the Bombers were able to soak up the early pressure, with Isaiah Hartley and Max Johns restricting contested forward marks while Damian Wust quickly got his hands on the football to help clear the constant danger.
Only an Ashley Woodman behind was on the scoreboard after 10 minutes before Adam Scott kicked the game’s first goal with a clever turn and finish.
When Jarrod Stephens added a second with a sweet set-shot from just inside 50, the Hawks looked to be on a roll.
However, a moment of magic from Matthew Gray at the ensuing centre bounce cut the margin back to five, bouncing Maldon’s first goal through after launching his kick from inside the centre square.
Late goals from Zac Cicchini and Stephens allowed the Hawks to establish control late in the term, heading into quarter time up by 16 points.
Just as the second quarter looked destined to replicate the gritty tone of the preceding term, a well-taken set-shot from Dylan Tarczon 11 minutes into the quarter began a goal-kicking flourish for the hosts.
Despite the best efforts of Darcy Kelly and Callum Buchanan, the Hawks booted five unanswered goals to expand Maldon’s deficit to 49 points at half time.
Talbot kept their foot on the gas after the interval, with rising star Elliot Cullinan opening the second half with a goal on the run less than two minutes into the third quarter.
Outside of Buchanan capitalising on a 100-metre penalty with a clinical set-shot, the Hawks dominated the third term with six goals to enter the final change up by 79 points.
After Stephens added his sixth goal early in the fourth quarter, a quickfire double from Alex Marshall and a set-shot by Trent Barras concluded another impressive showing from Talbot.
Tommy Alkemade was a constant threat with the ball in his hands, named among Talbot’s best players alongside Kirk Lang, Stephens, Tarczon, Jayson Atkins and Cicchini, who finished with four goals.
Buchanan battled hard in Maldon’s disheartening defeat, excelling in multiple roles when called upon. Kelly, Bennett, Johns and Kane Harris were also named standout performers for the Bombers.