Although it was a comprehensive first round win to the Hawks, club president, Gary Lavender, thought the Wombats would improve as the season progressed.

“Realistically I don’t think the score indicated too much,” Lavender said.

“We controlled the ball fairly well, but Warialda will trouble some sides in the middle section, I can see that coming down the track.

“They’ve got a good forward pack, and I think once they get a couple of good playmakers organised in their back line they’ll be a bit of a threat to some sides in the competition.”

Lavender said that took nothing away from the Hawks players, who were very keen and eager to go.

“In the wash up we were too good for them. We laid a good platform for our forwards, going through the middle with Carl Hobday and young James Ballinger backing up,” he said.

“They laid the platform and the backs just took over from there. Bradon Sunderland had a pretty solid game in the backs.

Lavender said it was the Hawks’ first hit-out as a team 

“Warialda had a few chances there, pressing our line, and to our boy’s credit they held them out.

“Our defence held out and it was a good result, and we won in all four grades,” Lavender said.