Hawks shown the standard
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The difference between first and last in the Gippsland League was on show over the weekend as Drouin were overwhelmed by a rampaging Leongatha.
The Hawks have worn their hearts on their sleeves this season – and have won many admirers while they've done so – but spirit can only get a team so far against the reigning premiers.
The 7.7 (49) to 23.10 (148) loss was Drouin's largest of the year thus far as the gulf in class between the two sides became apparent.
Leongatha are the reigning premiers of the competition, a well-oiled and well-drilled machine on every line. They have immense trust in one another, whether that be to hit a target, nail a tackle or create space.
There's a reason they were, until their loss to Moe two weeks ago, on a 34-game winning streak.
Drouin, by comparison, are a team still in the early stages of a rebuild.
They have some talent on their list, there's no doubting that. But they make mistakes that Leongatha simply don't.
Their best plays can be stunning, linking up with one another and using their relative lack of height to their advantage. But their worst sees them making simple errors that teams like Leongatha prey upon.
As they did against Moe last week, the Hawks struck first blood when Hugo Birks won a one-on-one with Parrot Jackson Harry close to goal, slotting the set shot.
But from that point onwards it was one-way traffic, all going the green and gold's way.
It all began in the middle, where reigning Trood Award and Rodda Medallist Tom Marriott was at his bullocking best, winning clearances at will.
His first was immediately after Drouin's goal, ending with Jenson Garnham running in one of his five goals for the day.
Aaron Heppell was more than happy to help, involving himself in multiple forward forays.
The result of this was Tallin Brill having an extremely industrious day inside 50, his six goal haul a personal best during his time in the Parrots' senior side.
By quarter time the Parrots had put on 6.2 in response to Birks' early goal, leaving the quarter time lead at an imposing 32 points.
The Hawks' scoring output improved in the second quarter as they put on three more goals.
Tim Hancock was continuing his solid run of form, playing in some different roles than expected for someone who has made his name as a defender.
Jarrod Marshall and Thomas Evans dug in through the middle, attempting to wretch the ball away from the powerful Parrots' brigade.
But while Drouin were able to put on three more goals for themselves, so were the Parrots.
Leongatha doubled their quarter time score, going into half time 50 points up.
If some in the crowd thought they might show some mercy and take it easy in the third, then they don't know Leongatha.
Drouin, who have made multiple comebacks already this season to work their way back into matches they looked out of, had no chance of doing so this week.
The Parrots had their foot on the throat and they pressed down, hard.
Seven more goals to none in the third, the goals raining down with Lachie Wright (five goals for the match) joining Brill and Garnham in the fun.
The Hawks were still trying, but just couldn't hit the targets they needed to, often giving the ball back with little to no pressure on them.
With little more left than pride on the line going into the last, the Hawks finally managed to get some run going in the last, kicking three goals to Leongatha's four.
Birks and Hancock both ended the day as Drouin's only multiple goalkickers with two each.
Despite the significant margin, however, it should be remembered that last season the Hawks lost their two matches to the Parrots by 153 and 136 points respectively. In one match they were held goalless and the other they kicked three.
That's about where the Hawks sit as things stand. They're about a five-to-six goal better side than last year's iteration, but still learning what it takes to stay in games for long enough and more than anything what it takes to win.
Something else of note is that this was the fourth highest score kicked against Leongatha this year.
While out of context these seem like minor points, the little wins are what rebuilding sides need to consider.
Drouin will now face up for a rematch against Traralgon in what looms as another tough game.
Things improve from there, however, with matches against Bairnsdale, Warragul and Morwell to follow.
The Hawks have been unlucky to not grab a win thus far, but they'll be looking at that three week stretch very keenly.
They've been given a taste of what the best are capable of, now it's up to them to work towards emulating it.
Bailey Stephens gets his kick away to clear the pack for Drouin. Photographs by CRAIG JOHNSON.
Drouin's own Ryan Maric made his AFL debut for the West Coast Eagles on the weekend, just 10 days after being drafted.
Having been selected at pick one in the mid-season rookie draft, it's been a whirlwind few weeks for Ryan, who joined the illustrious 'first kick first goal' club after slotting the Eagles' first major for the day.
He eventually finished the day with 2.1 from eight disposals, being named in his team's best during the 122-point loss to Adelaide.
While many eyes were on Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker's 10-goal effort, many locals were keeping an eye on the skinny teenager up the other end.
Remarkably, Ryan has now played for six different sides in 2023. They are Gippsland Power, Young Guns, Vic Country, Box Hill, West Coast's WAFL side and now the Eagles' AFL team.
Given that just two weeks ago Ryan worked stacking shelves at Woolworths, safe to say it's been a change of pace for the 18-year-old.
Standing at 196cm and 93kg, Ryan plays primarily as a forward and compares his style to that of Melbourne's Bayley Fritsch as a third forward who can have an impact in the air as well as at ground level.
Ryan has enjoyed plenty of support from back home, particularly his old club the Drouin Hawks, who hosted an event for him during the draft last month.
Ange Postecoglou will become the first Australian to manage in the English Premier League after signing a four-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The deal was confirmed in a statement on the club’s website on Tuesday night.
“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our Club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead,” Chairman Daniel Levy said.
After winning five of the six available trophies with Celtic FC, Postecoglou will leave Celtic Park as one of the club’s most beloved managers.
Postecoglou joins a Spurs side coming off the back of its worst season since 2009/10 and without a trophy since winning the 2008 League Cup.
The 57-year-old was seemingly the third option for Spurs after the club had advances rejected by former Bayern Munich manager Julian Naglesmann and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot. Postecoglou had been on Spurs’ radar over the last couple of weeks but didn’t hold talks with the club until the completion of Celtic’s season, which ended with a Scottish Cup triumph.
Celtic reportedly had the Aussie signed to a rolling 12-month deal, leaving him free to leave the Scottish giants without making his next club pay any compensation.
Since departing Melbourne Victory in 2013, Postecoglou has established himself as one of the most successful managers in the world of football.
Postecoglou’s accomplishments include winning the 2015 Asian Cup alongside one Japanese League title, consecutive Scottish Premier Leagues and League Cups, with four A-league/NSL Titles.
The 57-year-old will have his work cut out for him in the English summer with strong rumours suggesting star striker Harry Kane wanting a move away from the club before next season.