You couldn’t wipe the smile from VFLW coach Paddy Hill’s face following his side’s 23-point win over Melbourne University on Sunday.
In what was arguably their best performance of the year, Hawthorn kicked 12 goals three against a strong Melbourne University outfit made up of several North Melbourne AFLW players.
Hawthorn’s 75-point score is the equal highest total in the club’s history.
“I’m so proud and stoked,” said Hill after the match.
“We really set ourselves for this game. Melbourne Uni are a terrific side and have been in terrific form.”
“That was one hell of a game and to come out in front and to play that sort of footy to win a game of that quality was very pleasing.”
Sunday’s side featured two players from Hawthorn’s NAB League affiliate the Eastern Ranges.
Ranges product Serena Gibbs played her fourth game for the Hawks and kicked her first ever goal for the club.
“Serena Gibbs has been going well and she’s been so close to really ripping a game apart,” said Hill.
“This week she was really on fire and kicked two, two today. She just showed what a powerful unit she can be.”
At the other end of the ground U18 All Australian Laura McClelland made her debut in the brown and gold.
“She had a really good U18 national carnival playing in the backline, so we threw her down back.
“She really held up and she was a very good player for us today.”
To make finals Hawthorn will need to win two of their next three games, and they’re not easy games either - two of its final games are against top two sides Collingwood and St Kilda.
This weekend the girls take on Casey at home and although they’re beneath the Hawks on the ladder, Hill won’t be taking the Demons lightly.
“We’ve got the top two teams twice this year so to finish with Collingwood and St Kilda is going to be a hard ask and Casey, you know they’ve got a lot of good players and they’re capable of beating anyone on their day, so we’re going to have to be really focussed on next week get the job done.”
Hawthorn play the Casey Demons this Saturday afternoon at Box Hill City Oval at 1.00pm.
