The Hawks were defeated 42-18 on Sunday by the Yenda Blueheelers, meaning they are now sitting second last on the Group 20 ladder. 

Mathematically it’s not impossible for the Hawks to still make the finals this year, but they will need to win every game from here on out and rely on other sides above them to be losing. 

“We said we didn’t want to have to be relying on other teams to get us into the finals, but that’s where we are now,” assistant coach Phil Puntoriero said. 

“Even then, it’s probably only a pretty slim chance. 

“I would say we are pretty much done.”

The news isn’t all bad for the club, with their reserves and under 18s currently second on the ladder.

The under 16s are third and the women’s league tag team is clinging to fifth spot. 

Puntoriero said Sunday’s game against the Blueheelers was one to forget. 

He said discipline both with and without the ball, as well as numerous mistakes, worked against the Hawks. 

“Our discipline wasn’t good … we gave away a lot of penalties,” Puntoriero said. 

“We started too slow and when we had the ball, we just weren’t doing enough with it. 

“We weren’t completing our sets.

“That’s not to say Yenda played that well either. 

“It wasn’t the best game of footy. 

“You definitely wouldn’t have driven 100 miles to see it that’s for sure.” Little was said after the game as the side knew all too well the situation they were now facing. 

The Hawks had displayed many positive signs the weekend before after defeating West Wyalong and had looked at Sunday’s Yenda match as being crucial heading into the bye round. 

“It’s just disappointing for us,” Puntoriero said. “We needed to win and get the points, it was worth four points with the bye this weekend.”

The Hawks won’t train this week in a bid to freshen up for the remainder of their games. There was some shining light during Sunday’s game, with Puntoriero heaping praise on Billy Ingram’s performance. 

“He was fantastic for us … he’s been very consistent over the last month,” Puntoriero said. 

“Most of the time he’s playing 15 to 20 kilos above his weight.” Puntoriero also rated Shannon Bradbrook’s effort on the day.