Hawks outmuscle Maroons in reserves for first win
Drouin’s reserves have opened their account for 2022, dispatching Traralgon’s reserves by 43 points.
In a strong result for the young Hawks, Drouin outmuscled their opponents from the opening bounce and increased their lead in every quarter to run away with the game 13.9 (83) to 7.2 (44).
After failing to kick a single goal in their first match, the Hawks had already managed four by quarter time, as they generated more inside 50s and used the ball more efficiently than the Maroons.
Led by strong performances around the ground from Jake Simpson and Noah Jarred, as well as a solid goalkicking turn from Cody Fleming (four goals), the Hawks never looked troubled as they move to one win and one loss for the season.
Best on for Drouin were Simpson, Jarred, Nicholas Huggett, Thomas Young, Sam Clebney and Sam Mowbray.
Warragul’s reserves side had a day to forget as they were demolished by Wonthaggi 5.5 (35) to 20.15 (135).
Best for the Gulls were Lucas Monacella, Lachlan James Smith, Anthony Alderuccio and Brayden Notman.
In other reserves results, Maffra destroyed Bairnsdale 25.12 (162) to 0.3 (3), Morwell overcame Moe 15.9 (99) to 6.10 (46) and Leongatha easily handled Sale 11.14 (80) to 2.3 (15).
Drouin’s under 18s completed a stunning comeback in round two to defeat Traralgon 8.9 (57) to 6.12 (48).
The Hawks started the contest slowly, kicking just two goals to Traralgon’s six to trail by 22 points at the main break.
After half time, however, Drouin roared to life, kicking six goals to Traralgon’s none to claim an incredible victory against a side that they have very rarely been able to overcome in the under 18s format.
Ryan Maric booted four for the home side as the Maroons struggled to kick accurately in the second half, scoring 0.8 as they were overrun.
Drouin’s best were Thomas Young, Cody Fleming, Ethan Busse, Aaron Mitchell, Peyton Saddington and James Munro.
Warragul’s under 18s side continued their winning ways, thumping Wonthaggi 11.11 (77) to 3.6 (24).
The Gulls held their opponents goalless for the entire first half as they spread the load, having nine individual goalkickers for the day.
Wonthaggi simply had no answers to Warragul’s defensive efforts, as they were unable to make major in-roads into the Gulls’ lead.
Warragul’s best were Lachlan James Smith, Luke Garner, Nathan Whitten, Patrick Carpenter, Heath Jinks and Tom Stern.
Elsewhere in the under 18s, Maffra overcame a slow start to beat Bairnsdale 6.15 (51) to 3.10 (28), Moe came from behind to defeat Morwell 8.12 (60) to 8.6 (54) and Leongatha outmuscled Sale 13.6 (84) to 9.9 (63).
Drouin’s under 16s side were simply outclassed by Traralgon, going down 1.2 (8) to 20.13 (133).
Best on for the Hawks were Brodie Atkins, William Young, Will Bethune, Rylie Baker, Jacob Obernhumer and Brody Rogers.
In other results Maffra kicked fewer goals but did enough to beat Bairnsdale 7.18 (60) to 8.2 (50), Moe destroyed Morwell 18.15 (123) to 0.1 (1), Leongatha defeated Sale 9.11 (65) to 7.6 (48), while Warragul had the bye.