Hawks out of finals in reserves
The season is over for Drouin reserves. The Hawks were unable to counter a Wonthaggi Power side that was bigger and slicker in Sunday’s preliminary final.
Power, without its senior side not in the finals and able to bring back a few eligible reserves players, won 7-14 to 3-3.
The only time Drouin was in front was at the 12minute mark of the first quarter when Sean Proctor was able to run into an open goal after his direct opponent had tried to cut off Scott Blaney storming forward. By then Wonthaggi had five behinds on the board. It would before seven behinds - four of them rushed through - before Power veteran Rod Tack posted his side’s first goal just before quarter time.
Drouin players were under terrific pressure around the contests but were hanging in.
They were still a good chance of turning the game around in the second half trailing 2-9 to 1-2 at the midway stage.
But the Hawks couldn’t find ways to break through to set up the scoring chances they needed.
They were getting caught out of position as Wonthaggi ran harder and were better with their disposal.
Power’s two goals for the third quarter, kicked in the space of five minutes, stretched the lead to 26 points by the last break.
Two last term goals to Luke Ferguson added some respectability to Drouin’s score but Power added three to widen the margin.
By far the better side on the day won and Power certainly has the side that can go a lot further.
Its immediate challenge will be Maffra in next weekend’s first semi-final.
On Sunday Drouin’s best were headed by defenders that probably did a good job to keep the side in the game for as long as it did.
Rhys Fairlie at full back, Jacob Gown, Ben Miller, Nick Burr and Jake Harper were named best along with on-baller turned forward late in the game Luke Ferguson.
The Hawks’ season had been up and down, hit by injuries of its own as well as often losing players to cover injuries in the seniors, and it took a big effort and some wins in key games to reach the finals.