Juniors outclassed
Bairnsdale always put strong sides on the field in the juniors and Drouin was on the receiving end in both games.
But the Bairnsdale club got high praise from Drouin officials for a couple of actions that embody the spirit of football.
Firstly, it was the assistance of the Bairnsdale trainers when a Hawks fourths player suffered a badly injured leg and, secondly, the Redlegs’ readiness to “lend” Drouin a couple of players for the Under 18 match.
The largely bottom age Hawks fourths went down 21-18 to 1-4.
They never conceded a contest but simply didn’t have the size and experience to threaten a slick Redlegs’ team.
Logan Corbet, Sam Dennis, Thomas Evans, Shaun Custance, Trent Kearney and Kaiden Levingston fought hard all game. Kearney kicked the goal. The Drouin thirds again had a shortage of numbers that were boosted by two Bairnsdale players pulling on the maroon and gold jumpers. One of them kicked one of two Drouin’s goals. The Hawks got the first goal of the game through ruckman Marko Kulas resting up forward but it was one of the few times it troubled the scoreboard. Bairnsdale won 19-19 to 2-1. Better players for Drouin were Kiam Rose, Charlie Bethune, Blake Roberts, Regan Hodge and Kulas.