In 1991 Orange Hawks won the Group 10 first division minor title before going on to take out the premiership a couple of weeks later.
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That year current skipper Adam Hamling was born.
It’s been 27 years since the two blues have enjoyed reserve grade success in Group 10 but the 2018 crop led by Hamling and coach Jack Middleton are on the cusp of something special, they can feel it.
Hawks took out the 2018 minor title – the club’s first in reserve grade since that 1991 triumph – and will take on Bathurst St Pat’s in the major semi-final at Cowra on Sunday.
Hamling can’t wait.
“It’s been quite a while since we’ve been successful, the last time we won a minor premiership was the year I was born,” he said.
“Everyone has been turning up and it’s great. Hopefully we can get the job done on Sunday.”
Last year Hawks’ first division side finished eighth.
The year before that, 2016, one win landed Hawks the wooden spoon while 2015 has been the club’s only appearance in the finals in the last half-decade.
“It’s been a long, long, long time,” Hamling said looking for some success in the Hawks history books.
“Back in 2013 when we played CYMS in the (premier league) grand final, I think (first division) came dead last that year.”
They finished 7th, in fact, but that seems a distant memory after 12 wins in 2018.
“We’ve made the finals once since I’ve been at the club. I didn’t think we’d go this well, but I’m really confident in the team we have. We’ve got a bit of size and that’s something we haven’t had in the past, that’s helping us,” Hamling added.
“And there’s some depth, which has been good.”
Depth that has helped the club qualify for three major semi-finals this year.
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Hawks is a win away from a grand final appearance in premier league, first division and league tag when all three teams run out on to Sid Kallas Oval on Sunday.
“I’m extremely proud of where we are at the moment,” Hawks president Mark Johnston said.
“The effort of our players, sponsors, volunteers, committee, juniors and supporters has been unbelievable. We are exceptionally lucky all three areas are working in together with a common goal.”
Hawks play Cowra in the top grade while Hamling’s first division side and Marty Lydon’s girls in the league tag both take on St Pat’s.
“I’m confident we can book that grand final berth,” Hamling enthused, although he admitted there’s a touch of nerves.
“It’d mean so much to me and the club, a few of the young boys, we haven’t played a lot of finals footy. every game is a pleasure to play.”
The Group 10 major semi-finals start at 9.45am on Sunday, when St Pat’s and Hawks go head-to-head in the league tag.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
