Hawks youth in race for finals after preying on Parrots
Drouin's thirds are just a single win outside the top five after a comfortable win over Leongatha on Saturday.
The Hawks, whose past four matches had all been decided by 10 points or less, enjoyed a much simpler match in their 6.12 (42) to 4.2 (26) win.
The margin could have been even more significant if not for some poor goalkicking, though in truth the lead never looked to be in much trouble.
Drouin set the win up with a strong first half that saw them kick 4.7 to just the one behind for Leongatha, allowing them to take a 30-point lead into half time.
And though the Parrots were able to hit the scoreboard a little more effectively in the second half, even managing to outscore the inaccurate Hawks, it mattered little in the end as Drouin claimed their fourth win of the year.
Ryan Maric enjoyed another solid week up forward with three goals, while Trent Fritzlaff chipped in with two of his own.
The Hawks were solid in all areas of the field, though particularly in the midfield where they outmuscled and outworked the Parrots, whose slow start ultimately cost them any chance of being in the match.
Given the close nature of some of their losses, Drouin can consider themselves terribly unlucky to not be sitting inside the top five at the halfway point of the season, though they will be confident of making an impact in the run home.
Noah Rogers, Zayne Atkins, James Munro, Ronin Staunton, Thomas Young and Trent Fritzlaff were all excellent for Drouin.
In other results, Maffra won a low-scoring thriller over Traralgon 5.7 (37) to 4.6 (30), Morwell defeated Sale 9.12 (66) to 6.7 (43) and Moe thumped Wonthaggi 14.11 (95) to 5.6 (36).
Drouin's fourths are sitting pretty in fifth spot after a hard fought battle with Leongatha that saw the Hawks come out on top.
Blake Bibby and Zachary McMillan both kicked two goals up forward in what was a very even contribution from the young Drouin squad.
The Hawks started with a bang, kicking four goals to none in the first quarter to take a 23-point lead into the first break. From there, the Parrots slowly but surely worked their way back into the match.
By three quarter time, the margin sat at just 10 points, leaving spectators at the ground feeling nervous.
Their worries were all for naught, however, as the Hawks kicked one more goal in the final term while putting in a brilliant defensive effort to keep Leongatha goalless once again to claim victory.
The win sees Drouin in pole position for a finals spot halfway through the home and away season. Given they were even with the Parrots on the ladder going into the game, it means the result was even more significant in their context of both teams' seasons.
Rylie Baker, Zachary McMillan, Blake Bibby, Will Bethune, Lachlan McDonald and Thomas Mapleson were best on ground for Drouin.
In other fourths results, Traralgon easily accounted for Maffra 13.10 (88) to 5.11 (41) and Sale destroyed Morwell 20.11 (131) to 4.4 (28).
Drouin's reserves were totally and utterly outplayed by Leongatha in their match-up, leaving them stranded at the bottom of the ladder.
The game never came close to resembling a contest, as the Hawks were completely out of the depth in the 0.1 (1) to 26.19 (175) loss.
By quarter time, the margin had already passed 50 points, and the Parrots didn't let up at any stage. They moved the ball with pace and precision while maintaining a disciplined defence to never give Drouin a look in.
Leongatha's reserves are now out in front of the league by a country mile, having not lost a game and boasting a percentage of over 700.
Drouin's better players were Aaron Marsh, Regan Hodge, Nick Burr, Darcy Spratt, Jesse Craig and Lucas Peters.
Leongatha's best were Tallin Brill, Ricky O'loughlin, Kim Drew, Noah Clark, Kyle Brown and Dylan Garnham.
Elsewhere, Sale beat Morwell 7.9 (51) to 4.6 (30), Wonthaggi thumped Moe 11.13 (79) to 2.3 (15) and Maffra destroyed Traralgon 14.14 (98) to 1.2 (8).