Sport
20 May, 2025
Talbot Hawks defeat 2024 premiers Natte Bealiba by six points in instant classic
The Talbot Hawks are flying up, up in their quest to be a premiership contender in 2025, defeating the reigning premiers Natte Bealiba in an absolute thriller.
Both teams were without star players. Natte coach Trent Mortlock was injured in the warm-up and pulled out before the game commenced, while Talbot forward Dean Limbach has had minor knee surgery and will be out for some time.
Talbot got the jump on the Swans and had the first three goals on the board before Natte could answer with a late goal from Austin McKenzie from a free kick.
Will Holt had a chance to score earlier, but after he marked the ball, it was reversed after the big forward clashed with an opponent.
Talbot big man Jarrod Stephens kicked two of the Hawks’ three goals as Talbot led at quarter time by 14 points.
Jayden Hind was getting plenty of the ball for the Hawks, and his amazing inside-out snapshot in front of the social room facility went through the big sticks to give the Hawks a 20-point lead just five minutes into the second term.
Hind played very well in the first half, but did not return to the playing field after half time.
Goals to Will Holt and Jordan Fraser reduced the margin to seven points at the 17-minute mark, before Josh Britten gathered the ball from scrimmage and goaled on the run as Talbot led at half time by 11 points.
Michael Sikora and McKenzie were having a tough contest in the ruck, with Sikora trying to shepherd McKenzie, who was jumping all over him, as the enthralling ruck contest could be considered a draw.
Aaron Collicoat kicked the opening goal for the third term for the Hawks to take a three-goal lead, but the Swans were ignited by two goals in succession from Will Holt, who got great delight in some banter with the Talbot faithful behind the goals.
Jacobs excelled when he side-stepped his opponent on the boundary and snapped a left footer to level the scores at the 15-minute mark.
This was followed by a number of minor scores for each team and at three quarter time, it was two points in favour of the Swans.
It was goal for goal in the final term, as the Swans Nathan Holt kicked the first goal for the Swans to open up an eight-point lead, before Zac Cicchini goaled from a set shot for the Hawks and it was back to two points.
The Hawks’ full back then missed a target from a kick-in and Jacobs gathered the ball and kicked a check-side goal back over the Talbot defenders’ head to once again make it a six-point lead for the Swans.
Late in the game, Hawks ruckman Sikora took the ball out of a ruck contest and kicked truly to level the score with six minutes on the clock.
Five minutes later, Stephens took a strong contested mark and his fourth goal put the Hawks six points up with a minute to play.
Natte went forward, but the Hawks’ defence stood tall and propelled the ball to the centre square when the siren sounded, to the delight of the Hawks’ players and supporters.
Talbot’s Jamieson House played an inspiring game as did Kirk Lang and
Sikora, and others who played well were Brandon McRedmond, Lachlan Hind and Mitch Webb.
The Swans named their best players as Aaron Hayes, McKenzie, Stephen Ross, Daniel Vadala, Brayden Mills and Nathan Holt.