Drouin’s holes fully exposed by Parrots
Drouin’s holes were too many to plug at Leongatha on Saturday enabling the defending premiers to continue their confidence build ahead of finals.
The result was never really doubted; by how big a margin was the greatest question.
That was large at the finish, 121 points, 21-16 to 3-3.
The situation at Drouin as the home and away rounds draw to a close is a total contrast to that of Leongatha.
The Parrots managed their way to enough wins early in the season to stay in or near the “five” despite a long injury list, many of those players now just returning.
They are looking well primed for a successful title defence.
Drouin, the league’s surprise packet over the first half of the season, looked close to cementing a finals’ berth until a run of injuries and absences for varying reasons to key players.
Saturday’s loss was the fifth on end for the Hawks and its finals’ prospects are now decidedly shaky.
Drouin supporters that braved the cold and intermittent rain would have been thinking early in the game that the injury curse had followed the team across the Strzleckis.
Within a minute of the start centre-half back Liam Anderson was assisted from the ground with a shoulder injury, Clayton Kingi suffered a similar problem not long after and early in the second quarter Todd Beck became a third casualty when copping a heavy knock to the chest.
Fortunately for Drouin all three returned to the game after treatment and were among the side’s more competitive players on the day.
But much more than their presence was needed.
The Hawks tried to minimise damage early by pushing players into the back half but that gave them few, if any, attacking options when they did win the ball.
A running Rhys Salter goal just before the siren was Drouin’s only score for the opening quarter against Leongatha’s 4-6.
It was a similar story for the rest of the game.
A hard-fought goal by Will Collins was the Hawks sole joy for the second quarter and another by Bob McCallum in the third term rounded off a humble goal tally, especially when lined up against Leongatha’s 21.
However, the reality was that the scoreboard was reflective of the difference in the teams that took the ground.
As well as the probably season-ending injuries to key play makers Jordan Kingi, Eddie Morris and Chris Robinson, and Liam Axford’s departure for overseas, experienced David Olsen missed with injury for a third week and Tom Barr had work commitments.
Another young fourths’ player Jahmain Harrison was given a taste of senior football as was Regan Hodge, rewarded for his hard work in the reserves throughout the year.
It was a brighter picture for Leongatha supporters.
Forwards Hayden Browne and Cade Maskell are back.
So are Nick Nagel, league best and fairest Tom Marriott, ruckman Ben Willis and Col Sanbrook, all back in good form after a few games under their belts.
For Drouin, Will Collins caught supporters’ eyes with his strong play in attack and in providing good relief to McCallum in the ruck, to be named the team’s best.
The trio that suffered heavy early knocks – Liam Anderson, Todd Beck and Clayton Kingi – gave solid performances on their returns and Harry Wans had plenty of touches once again.
The decimation of the on-ball group by injury and unavailability has seen defenders Wans and Clayton Kingimoved by necessity onto the ball.