Poowong takes positives out of narrow defeat by Longwarry

POOWONG fought back impressively after a slow start to its away game against Longwarry but fell a couple of goals short of the Crows at game’s end, with over 30 majors kicked in the contest.

Longwarry skipped to a 31-point quarter time advantage built on a four-goal burst in the first five minutes of the match, with the Magpies cutting that to just five points by halftime, and it was a close affair thereafter.

Poowong’s president Matt Henshall was delighted that after being led to the ball early on, the Magpies responded positively and began getting their hands on the footy.

Poowong skipper Jack Hazendonk led the way for his side, booting four goals and being its best player, with teammates Gavin Monson, Zac Gray, Jett Blackwood and Micah Williames the other multiple goal scorers for the Magpies with two apiece. 

Winger Monson is an Under 16s player, while Under 18s representative Blackwood was making his senior debut, their impressive efforts illustrating bright times are ahead for Poowong.

Hazendonk was his usual hard-at-it self whether as an in-and-under onballer or a deep forward.

Matt’s son Alex Henshall was another strong performer for the competitive Magpies, breaking away from clearances when on the ball and presenting an option for Poowong’s ball carriers when on the lead as a forward.

Jason Wells spearheaded Longwarry’s success with nine goals, the small forward proving elusive and accurate, his Crows’ teammates giving him room to work his magic.

“They cleared out the forward 50 and let him do his thing,” Matt Henshall said.

As well as Poowong’s ability to hit back after its slow start, the club president was pleased with the way the side stuck to its guns after ruckman Mitch De Kleuver received a third term yellow card, being sent off for 15 minutes.

The Magpies’ persistence while a man short fuelled hopes for the final term.

“We thought that once we got 18 back on the ground that we might have run over them in the last quarter but to their credit they held firm and probably used the ball a bit better than us,” Matt Henshall said.