One of the teams to receive a forfeit, the under 11s, benefited from the easy competition points as the finals loom but the under-13s are in need of hard games to keep them in top form for the playoffs.

They played a “scratch” match against the Albion Park Crows players who turned up, but they could not provide hard competition.

But three of the under-13s were required to step up for the under-15s and they certainly were given a hard work out against a red-hot Figtree Red Roos side.

Right from the first bounce, the Roos’ bigger “goal-to-goal” line ran the ball hard and brushed aside their smaller opponents.

The Hawks stuck to their task and early in the third term had edged back to within seven points and looked like they were going to stage an amazing comeback.

But a dominant backline and accurate passing to their fast leading forwards, the Roos broke clear again and ran out comfortable winners.

The Hawks, who were without several midfield runners and a few tall players such as Ben Farrell and Phil Syrros, were unable to stem the flow of scoring opportunities.

The under-12s gave a polished display around the ground in their encounter with the Roos but lacked precision in front of goal.

At the final change they held a good lead but had kicked five goals and 22 behinds, plus a couple out of bounds shots.

Jacob Sgouros played his first game of the season and immediately made his presence felt.

He was involved in a great example of team play that saw the Hawks kick a goal in a passage of play that started with an accurate centre tap from Jesse Dunn.

He found Gareth Maples and after a series of clever foot and hand passes, the ball was delivered to Eric McIntyre who did the honours with a long drop punt.

Despite their inaccurate goal kicking, the Hawks ran out easy winners and kept alive their hopes of grabbing the double chance in the finals, courtesy of second spot on the ladder.