Wangaratta Rovers' Jack Gerrish kicked the best goal of his rising career against Yarrawonga on Saturday.

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The 19-year-old grabbed the ball from a stoppage around centre-wing, some 100m from Rovers' goal, and took four bounces, despite being chased by three opponents, before drilling a beauty in the third quarter.

"I think it was Jess Koopman, I broke his tackle and had another bounce, I've never been chased like that before, they hung on for a long time," the speedster said.

Koopman also has blistering pace, only adding to Gerrish's achievement.

Interestingly, the teenager was a better distance runner at school.

Like some other players with blinding speed, Gerrish has trouble at times finding the balance between breaking away and composure.

"Yeah, especially you might lose your balance and it might hit the wrong spot, it doesn't hit the sweet spot," he said.

Gerrish says coach Daryn Cresswell encouraged his players to attack.

"I've always liked to take it on and play with a bit of flair," he said.

"Dylan Stone and myself have been given a licence to take the man on the mark on, it gives you a lot more confidence to play the way we want to play."

Like so many of the Hawks, the excitement machine has re-signed as the club looks to maintain its rapid improvement.

MAJOR MILESTONE

Leading umpire Warwick Henderson clocked up his 600^th match in the Albury-Myrtleford clash on Saturday.

The Yarrawonga-based official, who turned 54 last week, started in the early 1990s after coming through the juniors at Rutherglen as a player.

"I've made more money out of umpiring than I have playing footy," he quipped.

Henderson has umpired seven senior O and M, two Hume and one Ovens and King grand finals.

"One character that comes to mind is Adam Prior," Henderson said when quizzed on some of the personalities he's encountered.

"He would explain the rules to you, he would actually tell you that's a good decision or a bad one.

"I got on well with him, he just always wanted to argue the point whenever he had the chance."

But Henderson has also had some nasty sledges from other players.

"I got called a dog one day and I actually played footy with the bloke," he said.

"I got called a cheat and I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but I said to his coach after the game, I expect him to come and apologise, he never did and I'm still waiting and he was a profile player.

"There's also a lot of spectators out there who are still willing to abuse umpires, some of the things they say shouldn't be said."

Despite that negativity, Henderson is looking to equal Jason Dudenas's record of eight deciders.

"I said to (umpires boss) Mark (Bywater), look, I'm going to have a crack at the big one this year, I know I'm fitter and more switched on than last year."