Hoppers couldn’t have asked for much more in the first part of the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant season.
All the Hawks sides were sitting in the top four leading into the Christmas break, headlined by their division 3, section 1 side sitting on top of the table as it goes for a second straight premiership.
Hoppers coach Stephen Macklin said there was a buzz around the club.
“We started midweek on Tuesday and three of the four sides are in the top four,” he said before the weekend’s match.
“We were pretty excited at selection for Saturday as we’ve had a long unavailability list and it’s looking a lot shorter.
“With all five teams in the top four, we’re pretty excited to be honest.
“As a whole club we’re really happy with the season and hopefully we can start off with some good wins.”
The Hawks top side has a tough run home with its remaining four matches coming against the other sides in the top five.
Just three points separated Hoppers, Yarraville Footscray 3 and Altona 3 at the Christmas break.
It faces fifth placed Williamstown on Saturday.
“Willy is a must win,” Macklin said. “It’s never an easy game when it’s an away game.
“If we can get over the line in that game it will help us go to secure a top two spot.
“We then face Melton, Yarraville and Altona after each other.
“Beating Willy and Melton will set up us up and if we can get over one of the other two we should finish in the top two.
“We’re in a good position, our fate is in our own hands.”
The Hawks have a boost on Saturday with the former coach Mark Coleman getting a clearance to play a one off game with the side.
A top two spot would be massive for the Hawks that only returned to division 3 this season.
Macklin pointed out that Bacchus Marsh 2, the other side to come up for this season, was sitting bottom.
“It shows the fantastic effort everyone has put in,” he said. “:We were proud of last year and now to set into a higher division, it’s a real credit to the players.”
