By Marcus Uhe
Hallam is undergoing a rapid learning curve in Outer East’s Division One, but their head coach can see the improvements.
The newcomers are 0-3 after round four as they as they adjust from Division Four in the Southern Football League to a considerably higher standard in the new surrounds of the Outer East competition.
In Berwick Springs and Emerald, they’ve been welcomed with two of the stronger outfits, suffering heavy defeats in both, and blew an opportunity to bag their first victory against Belgrave in round two.
With those factors providing the context, Scott Kerr knew it would take time to find their feet, and is pleased with the intangibles of his playing group.
“We didn’t know, and I certainly didn’t know, how we were going to go in this new competition,” he said.
“We knew it was a standard higher and it was going to take some time, but until we got into the games, we didn’t know how big that gap was.
“I think we’re breaking even most of the time around the ball.
“Our backline is holding up and our defence is holding up as well as it can, we’re just falling down in our forward line.
“There’s work to be done but the endeavour and the enthusiasm from the boys can’t be questioned.
“If we continue the way we’re going and keep building, the wins will come.
“At the moment it’s about being competitive for longer.”
Faced with the daunting prospect of curtailing the high-flying Bombers on Saturday, poor kicking for goal meant they registered just two majors from 14 attempts on goal in the 2.12 14 to 16.15 111 loss.
It was 15 goals to one in favour of the undefeated Emerald side after quarter time, with Callum White kicking four to claim top spot on the leading goalkicker tally.
It’s the speed of ball movement that is proving the biggest obstacle so far, according to Kerr.
“Our endeavour and our attack on the footy all day was great, and I think the way that we finished off the game on Saturday was commendable to the boys,” he said.
“They never dropped their heads, even though the score was beyond us at that point.
“They (Emerald) really got us in that third quarter, they were a lot cleaner when the rain came.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, given the scores in our three games this year, and we’re working on that, but we need to find an avenue to goal.
“In terms of the game-style, they were very very used to pack footy in division four; get it down the line, bomb it and reset.
“Trying to get them to carry and look inside with runners from behind and handballs received, that style of footy we’re training a lot.
“It’s coming in patches, I had a quick look at some of the vision back from the weekend and there were some really pleasing parts of the game.”
Jack Sharlassian, Dean Kelly and Adam Nekic have been pillars of consistency so far, as have Gabriel Bonicelli and Joel Danilo, all named in the best players in multiple occasions so far this season.
Kerr was full of admiration for Sharlassian, a young midfielder who he believes is destined for higher honours at the Hawks.
“Harry’s been sensational, he’s only a young guy but he’ll be a future captain of the club.
“He led the team on the weekend with Joel (Danilo) away.
“Dean Kelly’s played a lot of high-standard footy as well in the past.
“Adem Nekic is a workhorse, he’s definitely been a great pickup for us and those guys are holding their own at this level.”
Over at Healesville, Berwick Springs failed to bounce back from their loss to Emerald the week prior, this time going down to Healesville by 30 points.
Star forward Ty Ellison was held goalless as the Titans only managed one goal in the second half, and were held scoreless in the third quarter.
With the margin just 16 points at the final break, Healesville made the most of their opportunities when it mattered, kicking 4.2 to 1.6 in the last quarter to hold their visiting opponents off in the 3.11 29 to 8.11 59 contest.
It sets-up a huge contest with Emerald next week, who will be striving to maintain their unblemished record.
Seville joined Berwick Springs and Healesville in the two-win club, having recovered from a slow start to take care of business against Belgrave with a 43-point victory at home.
32 shots on goal to 19 told the tale of the game as the hosts kicked eight goals to three in the second half to distance themselves in the 14.18 102 to 8.11 59 result.
The Magpies will rue a missed opportunity to grab their second win of the campaign, however, having kicked 4.7 in the opening quarter for an 18-point lead at the first break.
They would only kick one goal in the following two periods, where Seville kicked eight of their own.
