The Hawks dominated the Cardinal Cup, until going down to a vastly more experienced Jimboomba side fresh from taking out minor premiership honors in the Brisbane State League

The day before, Goondiwindi had shocked the favorites, beating them by five goals. Goondiwindi President Paul Leahy said the result gave the team a real boost before the Darling Downs’ competition begins at the end of the month.

“We didn’t win a match in the Cup last year, so this is a real turnaround. We have an exciting crop of younger players who get better and better each season. “And then we have some older hands, such as Steve Collett and “Tassie” Dave O’Toole who really know their way around a football field.

“They’ll lead from the front and if the young guns follow we could be in for an exciting year ahead,” Paul said.

O’Toole was a highlight for the Hawks taking out the club’s best-and-fairest for the two-day carnival.

To get to the final Goondiwindi defeated Warwick, Jimboomba and Lismore.