With the Hawks resting a few regular players with one eye on this week’s finals campaign, Isaac Bell took on the role of captain for the week, won the toss and chose to run with the breeze in the first quarter.

The Hawks dominated the clearances right from the first bounce, and the glut of possession amounted to a 6.4 (40) start, while the Saints failed to bother the scorer in the first stanza.

Caleb Clyden was at his mercurial best, reading the taps, winning the ball in space and at pace, and then using his laser-like left boot to penetrate deep into the forward line, if not between the big sticks himself. 

With several regular starting players sitting on the bench to begin the game, this was a really positive sign for the team as the younger, less experienced players were able to show their ability against capable opposition.

The second quarter started like a switch had been flicked and the two teams had swapped jerseys at quarter-time.

The Saints came out and kicked the first four goals straight, with their tall ruckman punching the ball long and straight down the middle from the centre bounce.

The flow required coach Andy Bilske to orchestrate Kurtley Silver loose in the backline to stem the onslaught.

Silver was able to use his great leap, speed and amazing recovery and reflexes to turn the tide and rebound the ball out of the defensive half.

This, along with shifting Paddy Kossack into a role up front as a leading forward, resulted in the Hawks responding with two goals to the Saints’ solitary major to finish off the first half.

The Hawks led by 24 points at half-time.

It was still a pensive half-time breather with the Saints very much back in the game. 

The third quarter resulted in the switch being flicked again, as the Hawks regained total control to pile on another six majors for the period.

With Sylvester Wurramara having a breakout game across centre halfback and in the ruck, and the consistent, indefatigable efforts of Bell, Jess Buderick, Wewak Ross and Lyndon Gumbula, the young men in brown and yellow steamed home.

The team in green was unable to add to its three-quarter time tally in the final period, despite having the breeze at their backs, and the Hawks added a further two goals to round out the match.

The clash was a terrific tune-up for the team ahead of the upcoming finals series, with hopes high within the club. 

The Hawks will battle the Darwin Buffaloes at TIO Stadium No. 2 on February 21 in the NTFL under-18 qualifying final, with the victors securing the chance to take on the minor premiers the following week for a shot at the grand final.

The first bounce is at 1.15pm.

BIG RIVER HAWKS 16.10 (106) defeated ST MARYS SAINTS 6.0 (36)

Big River Hawks

Goal kickers: C. Clyden 5, F. Hall 4, P. Kossack 2, D. Turner, J. Braun, J. Buderick, J. Isaac, M. Sampson 1

Best players: I. Bell, S. Wurramara, K. Silver, P. Kossack, C. Clyden, J. Buderick