CLEAR AND CONCISE

By Matt Fotia

Monbulk big man Michael Langworthy has praised his clubs first year senior coach Andrew Williams for his clarity, attention to detail and structural set up, following the Hawks gutsy 10 point win over fellow top five rivals Mount Evelyn, 6.18(54) to 6.8(44) in wet and windy conditions at Monbulk Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The Hawks overused the ball in the first quarter, failing to adapt to the torrential conditions, and trailed the Rovers by two points at the first change, before getting on top in the clearances and changing to a more direct style, which saw them kick four of the next six goals. 

The only downside from the Hawks victory was their returning goal kicking woes, kicking 18 behinds for the afternoon, with six of those coming in a goalless last quarter for the men in maroon and gold. 

Langworthy, who has spent more time in the ruck this year and kicked four behinds on Saturday himself, said Williams knows exactly what he wants from his players and has full confidence that his chargers will execute his game plan. 

“He’s a very thorough coach, he knows exactly what he wants and he really backs us in – he’s always telling us that if it stuffs up, he’ll wear it (criticism),”

“In saying that he’s big on making sure that all of us know when to go and that we are all playing our role for the team,”

“We’ve got good structures and he’s very clear in his messaging and you can clearly see that it’s working.” 

Langworthy said Monbulk spend a healthy chunk of their training emphasising the set up of their defensive zone, and how to find their place in said zone as quickly as possible.

“We set up four to five drills focusing on specific game situations, usually around how to best set up in the zone,”

“You have to keep refreshing everyone, because under pressure we can sometimes get lost amongst it all.”

The Hawks sit on top of the Hallam and Bayswater Truck Centres Division One ladder with an unblemished record, having beaten all of the other sides in the division. 

They continue their campaign when they take on fifth placed Officer at home this weekend.