Hawks suffer more pain at Leongatha
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE - ROUND 6 SENIORS
Things didn’t get any better for a battling Drouin at Leongatha on Saturday.
Leongatha posted its highest ever score and greatest winning margin against the Hawks booting 36-14 to 24.
Addressing his players post-match Drouin coach Bob McCallum called for a greater work ethic by them, not just on game day but during the week, after their sixth heavy loss.
He said Leongatha provided a great example of that; “they know where they want to be and the effort required to get there”.
However, the Hawks really don’t need to look much further than McCallum to see what work ethic is.
He was a beacon among Drouin’s gloomy on-ground performance.
On-ballers Tom Barr and Liam Axford were again among Drouin’s best despite having to contend with a much deeper, more experienced and physically stronger Parrots’ on-ball group.
McCallum dominated the ruck duels and won plenty of thbe ball around the ground, his task made a lot easier when Leongatha ruckman Ben Willis went down with a foot injury only a few minutes into the game and didn’t return.. But the Hawks’ had an earlier setback. Damien Allison, usually providing some ruck relief for McCallum, suffered a game-ending and probably season-ending knee injury less than a minute after the opening ball up.
The first half was a disaster for Drouin and not only for another injury it can ill afford.
By quarter time the Parrots had rammed through 11 goals, Drouin managing only two behinds to forward Michael Theodoridis.
Former Hawk Chris Dunne got the first three for Leongatha within seven minutes to start the onslaught.
It continued in the second term; another 10 goals while Drouin were scoreless.
And a solid shepherding bump on Clayton Kingi during the quarter ended his day.
It was left to - guess who – McCallum to kick the first of the Hawks’ two goals for the game when he marked strongly and converted from 40 metres in the third term.
The other came as a result of a fine snap by Ethan Calway as the match drew to a close.
Drouin had no answer to the speed, purpose and constructive play of Leongatha.
The defence was left in tatters by sharp leads to fast and accurate passes.
The Leongatha forwards had a field day, especially Aaron Hillberg who bagged 10 goals for the day.
Dunne added another four after his lightning start to finish with seven.
For Drouin, in addition to McCallum, Axford and Barr, Todd Blum, Cambell Jolly and Damen Healy fought hard against the odds.
But there’s little substitute for experience and confidence.
If there’s anything that may give the Hawks some short-term purpose it should be the thought of next Sunday’s neighbourhood rivalry clash with Warragul.