Losing streak over as Drouin delivers
Drouin had been in this situation before. In what has been a difficult year on the field for the seniors side, the Hawks went into the three quarter time huddle on enemy territory against Bairnsdale not just in the game, but poised to win it with a sixpoint advantage.
It was a similar situation that had happened earlier in the year, in other games such as their first meeting with the Redlegs, their home game against Moe and their away match at Maffra. In all of those games, the Hawks had let their opportunities slip and found themselves on the wrong end of the final result.
But not this time. This time, Drouin kept a cool head, took every chance they were given and almost totally deprived their opponents of any, kicking four goals to none in the final term to win their second game of the season 14.14 (98) to 10.5 (65).
The victory broke an 11-game losing streak for the side, and was a much-needed and well-deserved result for a team that has made some important strides in challenging circumstances.
Cambell Jolly was the standout up forward with four goals, while Tom Barr enjoyed a day out in the middle, clearly enjoying the expansive size of the Bairnsdale City Oval wings.
He wasn't the only one either, as Drouin's strategy of spreading the ball as much as they could and using their natural leg speed to outpace their opponents paid dividends.
The Hawks this year certainly aren't the tallest team in it, necessitating the use of their strengths, which includes their running ability. And boy, did they run.
By the end of the game, a lot of the Bairnsdale players were out on their feet, contributing to the collapse they experienced in the final quarter.
In a strange way, the Hawks have often found things easier on some of their away trips, as their use of the wings has at times been constricted by the narrow nature of their home ground. On a field like Bairnsdale's, the Hawks' run and carry was allowed to flow, giving them the ability to play their own way, and not be forced into playing the opposition's.
This was, of course, helped by the strength of the Drouin backline, who were able to keep the majority of the Redlegs' forwards goalless and set up multiple fast rebounds.
Coach Jordan Kingi formed a formidable team in the defensive 50 with likes of Joseph Collins, Timothy Hancock and Ryan Taylor, the latter of whom has clearly made an impact since returning from injury.
And while they were unable to keep Bairnsdale star Logan Austin quiet, unlike the last time they met, the other Redlegs forwards were unable to factor into the equation. Austin finished the game with five of his team's 10 goals, such was their reliance upon him.
And once the Hawks were able to finally get on top of his influence, Bairnsdale wilted.
Before the final term though, the game was definitely up for grabs for both teams. The first half was not one for fans of highly skilled affairs, as turnovers were a constant issue for both sides.
This was far from unexpected though, given the ladder positioning of the teams involved. But, given there was a golden opportunity to take a highly desired win in a season somewhat bereft of them for both sides, intensity was certainly at a high.
The Hawks had the better of the first half, taking a 10-point lead into half time. And that momentum initially seemed to carry into the second half, where they increased their lead early and appeared to be in a position to go on with it.
The Redlegs struck back, dragging themselves back into the contest late and leaving the game on a knife-edge at three quarter time.
Jordan Kingi, speaking to his troops, encouraged them to keep calm, to play to their strengths and to play with dare. They didn't let him down.
The final term was some of the finest footy Drouin has played this year, as they took control of both the ball and the game. Their contest work was immaculate and, as the Redlegs players tired from having to chase their opponents all day, the Hawks capitalised, spreading the ball, hitting targets inside 50 and making them count.
They could have won by more, kicking 4.5 in the final term, but it was clear from the play around the ground that they wouldn't be made to regret it. There was no more Redlegs resistance. Without Austin being able to find the space he needed, Bairnsdale couldn't find any other way through the dour Drouin defence.
And, by the time the final siren sounded, the Hawks players rejoiced. Weeks of torment were behind them, and the improvement they've shown throughout the course of the year finally got them over the line. It's one thing for a young side in the early stages of a rebuild to show their development and have honourable losses, but these results are the kind that can reinforce that what they're doing is working, and can be used as a base for future endeavours.
Coach Jordan Kingi was full of praise for his side, in particular the way they had stuck through things over the last few weeks in which his side had been thumped on more than one occasion.
"This year's obviously been tough, but to the blokes who played, to their credit, they've really adapted," Kingi said.
"We've been competitive for a lot of time in the games we've played without getting the result, and after a the last couple of weeks we definitely could have folded in, but the boys hung in there. All credit to the boys, honestly."
With Kingi's tenure as head coach coming to an end this season, he also said he was looking forward to the next few years and getting to focus more on his own footy.
"I've loved (coaching), I couldn't thank the club more for the opportunity," he said.
"We've got some good promising sides coming through in the juniors. The future's bright for us, we just have to make sure we stick together. That's what really great clubs do, they make sure everyone's united and together and we have to make sure we do that."
If sticking together is the goal for the club now, with results like the one on the weekend there's no reason to say they can't achieve it.