Juniors Hawks claim great win
Drouin's fourths have pulled off a stunning first-round win against their rivals in Warragul, claiming the four points in what was a great contest.
With neither team being able to create much of a gap on the other, it took two late goals from the Hawks to break the deadlock and take the 12.6 (78) to 10.6 (66) win.
Ewan Croucher was the hero up forward for the Hawks as he booted four, while Jaxon Huston, Lachlan McDonald and Riley Butters were all extremely influential.
Warragul can hold their heads high though, given the effort they put into the game. Fans who decided to turn up early to the Drouin Recreation Reserve were treated to a great match, with plenty of skill on offer from the senior Hawks and Gulls of the future.
For the Gulls, Oliver Wilson matched Croucher's four-goal effort, while Darcy Paul, Riley Senini and Levi Moore were at the top of their games.
Senini is a name to watch for Warragul fans in particular, having put in some great performances last year for the side and continuing that form into round one this year.
But still, it was a deserved win for Drouin, who managed to take the lead into every break.
In other fourths results Sale won a thriller over Wonthaggi 8.6 (54) to 7.8 (50), Maffra beat Bairnsdale 11.9 (75) to 9.13 (67), Moe demolished Morwell 18.14 (122) to 4.2 (26) and Traralgon thrashed Leongatha 15.14 (104) to 2.2 (14).
The thirds western derby was much less of a contest, as Warragul ran riot to claim a big win over Drouin.
While both clubs had their under 18s sides battle it out in a close final last year the gulf in class between them this time was readily apparent.
The Gulls kept their opponents to one goal for the entire first half as they won 18.12 (120) to 4.4 (28).
Jasper Alger returned to the Gulls with a vengeance after playing for Gippsland Power last week, booting five goals while fellow Power star Patrick Ireland claimed two.
Mathew Cahill, Charlie Dore and Lane Ward all enjoyed their own great games to help the Gulls rarely appear challenged.
Two goals each to Gippsland Power's Seb Amoroso and Jake VanDenBerghe were all the resistance that Drouin could muster. William Young, Zachary McMillan and Brock Walsh were among their better players on a tough day.
Elsewhere in the thirds Moe barely eclipsed Morwell 7.7 (49) to 6.7 (43), Maffra got the win over Bairnsdale 6.11 (47) to 4.9 (33) and Traralgon thumped Leongatha 15.11 (101) to 4.9 (33). Sale had the bye.
A five-goal-to-zero first half was enough to see Warragul's reserves through against Drouin.
In a match lacking genuine goalkickers, the Gulls successfully held off any potential Hawks comeback in the second half, winning 5.8 (38) to 2.4 (16).
While the skill levels weren't exactly high from either side, the passion and desire was evident as they both clearly wanted one-up on the old enemy.
Will Hatfield looked the most consistent threat for Warragul, kicking two goals. Other than him, however, goals were difficult to come by as the pressure around the ball meant a clean entry inside 50 was often impossible.
Drouin did manage to raise their level post-half time, but their lack of threatening targets meant that while they kept the Gulls goalless, the margin never really looked in much danger.
Hatfield, Nathan Whitten and Scott Kelly were the standouts for Warragul, while for Drouin Noah Glen, Mitch Diston and Callum Tyler could not have their endeavour questioned.
In other reserves results Leongatha won over Traralgon 7.10 (52) to 6.7 (43), Moe defeated Morwell 11.7 (73) to 8.9 (57), Wonthaggi dismantled Sale 9.5 (59) to 1.5 (11) and Maffra got the job done over Bairnsdale 10.6 (66) to 5.9 (39).