INVERELL Hawks celebrated one of their best seasons when they packed out the Inverell RSM Club last Saturday night.
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The Hawks lost just three games all season in first grade and Under 18s when both teams won Group 19 grand finals at Moree’s Burt Jovanovic Oval two Sundays back.
The David Koch and Alex McCosker-coached Under 18s went through undefeated to beat Glen Innes 14-6 in their grand final while the first grade Hawks hung on to beat minor premiers and defending titleholders Moree Boomerangs 26-24.
The second grade side lost its grand final 28-16 to the Boomies.
Hawks club president Garry Lavender was delighted with the GF wins and the turn out for the presentation night. “We had the biggest crowd we’ve ever had,” he said.
“Packed the RSM out. I remember back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s when they used to get big crowds at the Town Hall. It was a big year for us though.
“The juniors were great. David Koch and Alex McCosker did a great job with them. We’ve got some great kids coming through.
“The girls also finished their season on a good note too and they went well but the first grade side also finished well.”
The first grade side finished strongly with the likes of Guy Mepham, Nick Dawson and Mick Hodges sharing the major awards.
Unfortunately for the Hawks it appears Dawson, first grade’s players player award winner and winner of the Maitland Foster Memorial Award for Players Player across all grades may be retiring. “We have two or three players retiring,” Lavender said.
Scott Fitzgerald was voted most consistent A Grader, the big prop earning a fitting accolade after distinguished service.
Young giant, James Ballinger, is just one of the talented Hawk teenagers coming through the ranks.
He and centre Brayden Sunderland were joint winners of the Paul Cootee Memorial Award for most promising first year out of juniors.
Corey Alexander, son of former first grade fullback Dave Alexander, won the Kevin Dewberry Award for best young talent out of Minor League.