Abermain Hawks coach Dean Peterkin expects the majority of the team to return for another shot at the premiership after Saturday's grand final loss to Waratah Mayfield.
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The Hawks went down 42-28 after the scores had been locked 12-all at half-time.
“It’s always hard to lose a grand final, but I am incredibly proud of the boys’ effort this year in making the grand final after a tough start to the year,” Peterkin said.
“Speaking to them after the game I think the majority will be back for another year at Abermain and hopefully we will go one better.
“The feeling in the sheds afterwards was one of real disappointment, but I think we realised pretty quickly that we had so much to be proud of and so much to celebrate.
“There were a few boys new to the club this year, including myself, but we have just become an incredibly close knit group of mates and that extends to the families as well.
“We’re building something special here and I think the majority of the boys will stick around next year and going forward.”
Peterkin came to the Hawks after coaching Kurri Kurri Bulldogs to back to back open age grand finals, including the 2015 premiership.
However, despite the Newcastle Rugby League reinstating open age in 2018, Peterkin said he would play at Abermain although he had yet to decide whether he would continue to coach.
“A few of the boys who came across from Kurri Kurri have to make up their mind over the next couple of months, but I think most will probably stay,” he said.
Peterkin said a 25 minute section of the game starting five minutes before half-time had proved decisive.
The Hawks were leading 12-6 in the shadows of the break, but were unable to hold out repeat sets by Waratah who crossed virtually on the siren to even things up.
The Cheetahs scored three minutes after the break to lead 16-12. The Hawks struck back through a converted try when hooker Cameron Davies crossed beside the posts but the Cheetahs added the next 20 points.
“That 25 minute period, five minutes before half-time and the 20 minutes after was where we lost the game,” Peterkin said.
“We made to many errors with the ball and cost ourselves with penalties and we just didn’t have the juice to defend those mistakes.
“If we had held on without letting them score before half-time it could have been a very different story.
“We answered their quick try after half-time but they piled on the points after that and we were down by too much.
“We fought back but the gap was too big. But in the end Waratah were a very good side all year and fully deserved the title.”