Special time: Rowville captain Matthew Stanley (No.5) shares a moment with teammate Brendan Walsh after their grand final win on Saturday. Pictures: Rob Carew
SOME of Rowville's favourite sons will get the reward for years of loyalty when the Hawks run out in the Eastern Football League division 1 competition next season.
While the majority of the Hawks 2012 division 2 premiership side are young, emerging players, the side still held several long-standing figures this season who have long wanted to test themselves against the best players in the EFL.
Hawks coach Paul Mynott said only one of his players, key forward Cody Morris, had played division 1 before and he was excited for the rest of his side to get their chance.
He listed premiership players Robbie McEwin, Gavin Willoughby, Morris, Matt Jackson, Troy Allen, Matthew Stanley and Brendan Walsh as those who had waited to take the club to division 1.
For younger stars like Alex Frawley and Luke Scanlan, they will get to prove their class after starring in the past two seasons.
"It's great for the club and adds an element of excitement to next season," he said. "It's an opportunity for everyone to have their taste of division 1 football. Hopefully, we can consolidate and be competitive in the competition."
Hawks assistant coach and player McEwin is one of the Hawks longer serving players.
"People like Robbie McEwin have been with me for the whole journey since playing as a 17 year old in 2003," Mynott said. "He has had to wait another eight years to get another a flag.
"Now he is 27-28 year old going into his first year of division 1 footy when he could have been playing it for years. When I think of those other older guys who have stuck thick with the club I'm pleased for them because they will get their shot while not being too old."
Mynott also said he wanted to continue to coach the club in 2013. "We haven't talked about it yet but I've expressed an interest in coaching again and I'd like think I'm in a good position to get it."
Pollypraise
ROWVILLE Hawks' premiership success briefly put them on the national political stage on Monday when Aston federal MP Alan Tudge congratulated the club in Federal Parliament.
Mr Tudge acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Rowville Football Club president David Howlett and vice-president Jason Kennedy.
He also congratulated the players for their victory. "I congratulate the Rowville Hawks Football Club for their outstanding victory in division 2 of the EFL on Saturday," Mr Tudge said.
"They have had a stellar year, and their victory means they will go into division 1 of the EFL next year, the EFL being one of the largest competitions in the nation.
"Congratulations not only to the captain, Matthew Stanley, and the vice-captain Robbie McEwin, but also to the coaches — senior coach Paul Mynott and assistant coaches Paul Barlow and Marc Hardy."