Hawks in need of relief after Magpie mauling

For some sides, the Gippsland League season can seem like a nice, short affair. For others, it can turn into a painfully long process.

For Drouin, it appears season 2022 is becoming the latter, after the Hawks were once again thoroughly thumped, this time by Sale.

The Hawks weren't without some fight, particularly early in the piece, but were quickly overwhelmed by the size and brutality of their more experienced opponents as they fell 5.9 (39) to 18.17 (125).

Drouin youngster Ryan Maric was the standout performer for the home side, booting four of his team's five goals to be a persistent threat to the Sale backline and give a sold endorsement for his football future. Coach Jordan Kingi played admirably in a backline under constant bombardment for much of the day, while Tom Johnstone did well despite being well and truly outsized.

In truth though, this game was always going to be a tough ask for the Hawks.

Sale had been in solid form coming into the game, having won their two prior matches by 50 and 44 points respectively. The Magpies also boast some of the most talented big men in the league, including former AFL player Jack Leslie, a factor that has often presented issues for the undersized Drouin backline.

And yes, while Drouin had put in an admirable effort the last time these two met, going down by just 20 points on Sale's home deck, the two teams have very different paths in front of them as the end of the season approaches. For Drouin, the off-season presents opportunities to recruit and continue rebuilding their list back to a competitive state. For Sale, finals are on the horizon and any chance to build form, especially against the bottom-ranked team, has to be taken.

And take it they did. With the monstrous Leslie towering above his opponents in the ruck, the Sale midfield found consistent first use, pushing through the Drouin pressure as the sheer weight of their forward entries became overwhelming.

Jarrod Freeman, Kane Martin, Thomas Campbell and Patrick Tainsh all kicked three goals each. Tainsh, in particular, consistently carved up the Hawks, running up and down on the wing all day. Any chances the Hawks did find were usually stopped by one of Mitch Bown or Ryan Pendlebury, whose efforts at half back were strong.

That's not to say Drouin never had a sniff though. Despite conceding the first three goals of the match, Ryan Maric stood up for his side, first slotting a set shot before some brilliant rebounding from the Hawks allowed him to get out the back and dribble through another.

After being totally dominated around the clearances early, Drouin started to get their hands on it. Though they often fell victim to their own mistakes stopping them from scoring, their endeavour was clear. They were trying to spread the ball at most opportunities, using the width of the ground and backing in their leg speed to run the Magpies off their feet.

Kane Martin got one back for the visitors, but a fiery clash soon after between Tom Barr and numerous Magpies opponents gave Aden Quirk a free kick and a simple shot from the goal square. This left the quarter time margin at 11 points.

And when Maric marked and goaled early in the second term, suddenly it seemed like it was game on.

But just as soon as it appeared there was life in the contest, Sale snuffed it out. Quickfire goals to Thomas Campbell, Daine McGuiness and Jarrod Freeman saw the margin blow back out within minutes, and from there the game played out in predictable fashion. The Magpies showed exactly why they're a contender this year, keeping the Hawks to just one more goal for the rest of the match.

Good sides simply don't drop games like these, and Sale wasn't going to make any mistake as they eventually cruised to their ninth win of the season. With the victory they are still in the hunt for a top three finish, and as things stand they will have to play just one side above them on the ladder in the run home, only strengthening their chances.

For Drouin, though they've clearly tired as the season has progressed, their next two games against Bairnsdale and Moe may be their best remaining chances to capture a second win this year. The Hawks pushed both sides the last time they met them, and a win in either would allow them to finish a tough season on a solid note.

And at this stage, their fans would surely take that.

Photographs by CRAIG JOHNSON. It’s a battle of the twentys as Drouin’s Kye Quirk makes his kick while his opposite number for Sale, Jake Hutchins, closes in.

Ryan Maric kicks a goal for Drouin early in the second quarter. Maric would later be named as Drouin’s best player for the game.

Sale’s Daine McGuiness flies over his own teammate and Drouin’s Harry Wans to take a spectacular mark.

Drouin coach Jordan Kingi addresses his players at quarter time in the seniors match against Sale.