Hawks thirds on the board
Drouin's thirds have captured their first win of 2023 courtesy of a two-goal win over Sale.
The Hawks, who up until this point haven't been able to put together a four-quarter performance, trailed at every break.
That was until a massive four-goal-to-one final term saw them run away with a hardearned 10.6 (66) to 8.6 (54) win.
Regan Caddy led the way for the Hawks, as did the likes of William Young and Eli Bracken. On the scorers' end, Kaden Gregg kicked three goals to lead all comers.
It was a fantastic win for the team, who have waited patiently to taste victory but will no doubt be enjoying the spoils of their efforts.
Warragul's thirds were not so lucky as they were punished for some poor goalkicking against Maffra. In a replay of last year's grand final, the Gulls and Eagles played out a low-scoring, highly contested affair.
In the end the difference was the chances Maffra took as opposed to the ones Warragul missed, the Gulls left to rue their accuracy as they lost 3.12 (30) to 5.5 (35).
Lucas Carter and Lachlan French were both influential for the Gulls, but the team consistently kicked away any chances of making a comeback.
In other thirds results Leongatha thumped Morwell 14.7 (91), Traralgon destroyed Moe 11.14 (80) to 1.7 (13) and Bairnsdale had the bye.
Under 16s
Drouin's fourths enjoyed a big win over Sale.
The Hawks were locked in a tight tussle with their opponents for much of the day, before blowing them away in the final term with five straight goals to win 12.11 (83) to 5.13 (43).
Drouin shared the load up forward, Ewan Croucher booting three while Jaxon Huston, Lachlan McDonald and Charlie Stone all contributed with two each.
Rylie Baker played a captain's game in his first match since round three with support from Huston and Tyler Harkin.
The win has them in sixth, out of the top five only on percentage and looking wellplaced to press their case for a finals spot.
Warragul's fourths put in a competitive performance but ultimately came up short in their grand final replay against Maffra.
The Gulls' endeavour was unquestionable, but they were unable to match the firepower of the Eagles.
The 3.5 (23) to 7.5 (47) loss leaves Warragul sitting in seventh, now three wins behind the sides just above them.
They were able to keep the Eagles within reach for most of the day, and were threatening an upset when they went into the three quarter time huddle just two goals down.
It wasn't to be, however, as Maffra finished the job and moved to five and one for the season.
Darcy Paul was fantastic for the Gulls, later playing a pivotal role in the thirds well to cap off a strong day.
Riley Senini and Tyson O'Leary were similarly solid at the ball in a battle between two hardnosed sides.
Elsewhere in the fourths Leongatha battered Morwell 10.16 (76) to 4.0 (24), Traralgon overcame Moe 10.6 (66) to 6.8 (44) and Bairnsdale obliterated Wonthaggi 21.21 (147) to 5.2 (32).
Reserves
Drouin's reserves side put in a spirited performance as they fell to Sale.
The first quarter showed off the best footy the Hawks have played all year as they went into quarter time with three goals, more than the total goals they've kicked in three of their matches this year.
They showed plenty of heart in the second term for no reward, before ultimately falling away in the second half to lose 5/4 (34) to 12.14 (86).
Warragul's reserves felt the full toll of the club's injury list as they were destroyed by Maffra.
With the club's depth being seriously tested thanks to numerous season-ending injuries to senior players, the depleted Gulls could do little but watch as they were run off the park 1.1 (7) to 23.14 (152).
Eagles Max Gravener (eight goals) and Jesse Oldham (seven) were the main orchestrators of Warragul's demise.
Jacob Orlicki and Matthew O'Halloran were shining lights on what was otherwise a very dark day for the Gulls.
In other reserves results Leongatha thumped Morwell 11.14 (80) to 4.3 (27), Moe overcame Traralgon 13.7 (85) to 6.10 (46) and Bairnsdale got the better of Wonthaggi 8.10 (58) to 5.5 (35).