Depleted Hawks again under pump
The result at Drouin on Saturday was pretty much as expected – a big win by unbeaten ladder Traralgon.
But under the circumstances of a heavily depleted playing list Drouin gave the contest its best shot and did have a few positives.
Traralgon got the points 24-24 to 6-2.
It was a superb day for football, sunshine throughout after the early morning fog lifted, only a whisper of a breeze and the Drouin oval in the best condition it has been in for years.
The Hawks’ playing stocks were further hit with the absences of Tom Barr, one of its best in the opening four rounds away on a camp associated with tertiary studies, and Jack Baker with a knee injury.
But Traralgon was a long way short of its optimum line-up.
It rested 10 players and also has had to cope with the loss of forward Tim Johnston, now living in Melbourne and unable to return to play, and key defender Adrian Slottje who is likely to miss the season due to a knee injury suffered in the previous week’s inter-league game.
Still the Maroons’ depth is such that it had far too much skill and strength for Drouin.
Traralgon jumped to a quick lead in the first quarter and just added to it as the game continued.
Drouin forward Michael Theodoridis did provide a spark for the Hawks faithful with a three-goal burst in the second quarter.
It could well have been four but for a miscue from about 15 metres that saw his kick crash into the goal post.
Theodoris also had a big part in his side’s only goal of the first term.
After winning the ball on the wing he shrugged off a tackle, took a bounce and drove a penetrating kick to Liam Axford running with the flight of the ball who converted from about 45 metres.
The only other scoreboard joys for the Hawks came in the last quarter when coach and ruckman Bob McCallum snuck a goal through from the goal square and a long range shot by Lachlan Bott bounced home.
McCallum was terrific all day.
He dominated hit-outs with Traralgon number one ruckman Ben Amberg, a team mate of McCallum’s in the interleague side, one of those rested by Traralgon and who spent the afternoon as his team’s runner.
On-ballers Liam Axford and Clayton Kingi may have lowered their colours overall against a much deeper and physically stronger midfield but fought hard and won plenty of possessions over four quarters.
David Olsen and David Miller battled it out in defence, Miller also having a few runs on the ball, and Simon Gardiner put in well in his answer to the call up during the week.
While there was almost half a Traralgon side watching from the sidelines the Maroons still had plenty of quality on the ground.
Former AFL player Jay Neagle was sharp all day topping off a good all round game with six goals.
Jordan Sandy was also among the goals with five and the always dangerous Lee Stockdale kicked four.
For the third time in five rounds Drouin was unable to field a reserves’ side.