By: Hayden Tilbrook
COMING into a daunting Round 6 match-up against an undefeated Vermont outfit, Rowville found itself on a two-game slide and in danger of losing touch with the top four.
After beginning the season with three straight wins, Rowville was dismantled by Balwyn in Round 4 in a 47-point home loss, before surrendering five goals in the final 10 minutes against Norwood in Round 5 to collapse to a 38-point defeat.
Producing a 16.7 (103) to 13.17 (95) win on Saturday ending Vermont’s undefeated run, Hawks coach John Brown told the EFL Sunday team how the losses had triggered a player-led review of the team’s start to the year.
“There was a bit of agitation amongst the playing group after last week,” Brown said.
“We had a thorough review of the match itself on Tuesday night, really engaged by the leadership group and the team of players.”
With some key injuries handing senior debuts to a number of young Hawks, many could excuse Rowville’s fluctuations in form as inexperience of a young playing group.
Brown refused to make such excuses for his side however, believing that with injuries come opportunities.
One benefactor was home-grown talent Thomas Lockman, who took hold of his Premier Division opportunity with both hands, booting two goals in the win against the reigning premier.
“He (Thomas) is a good young kid”, Brown said.
“He’s still in our under-19s program and we’ve really watched him pretty closely probably over the last year and a half.
“We brought him up to play in the development squad last Saturday, with some intent to look at some senior football over the next month or two.
“I guess circumstantially we thought here’s a great opportunity to bring him in – and we had no concerns about who the opponent was … each week’s a tough opponent so if you’re going to debut at senior level in Premier (Division) you’ve got to be up for the task each week.”
And it’s players like Lockman that Brown believes will be key to bridging the gap between Rowville’s best and worst performances.
The Rowville mentor said that internal development would prove crucial as the season wears on.
“We can talk about personnel that may have missed games here and there but we’re looking for club depth and for players to step up when opportunities arise,” Brown said.
“And that’s what we need, we had some young players yesterday – Taine Barlow, who’s only 19 himself, who’s only played his sixth senior game (on Saturday) played a big job on (Andrew) Ainger.
“I think what it is, is it’s about these young players actually gaining the confidence that they can deliver at this level, and we’re starting to see that.
“With young kids there comes a little bit of fluctuation from time to time. We need to make sure as a coaching staff that we’re aware of that and we provide support to make sure we don’t let them bottom out and that we keep them at the level that’s required week in, week out.”
Brown’s young side will look to gather momentum once again as they travel to Montrose Recreation Reserve to take on the Demons in Round 7.
EFL SUNDAY PODCAST | Listen to Rowville coach John Brown’s full interview here
