A seven goal to two first quarter against the breeze helped Drysdale to a 40-point win against Newcomb at Grinter Reserve on Saturday and cemented third spot on the Bellarine Football League ladder.
Heading into a league-wide general bye this weekend and apart from a loss against Barwon Heads, the Hawks are in form and have won seven of their past eight games.
“We actually kicked into the breeze in the first quarter and managed to kick those seven goals, which was really good,” coach Ben Carmichael said.
“It probably highlighted just how accurate we were. We were kicking some goals from everywhere, which hasn’t been the case for us.
“So it was good to kick straight and put them under pressure early and we were able to control the game for the rest of the day.”
Jack Jenkins, who must be a certainty for a spot in the BFL’s team of the year in defence, did what no other player has done this season – keep Newcomb star Jack Duke goalless.
“We’re so fortunate to have him,” Carmichael said.
“He can play on talls, he can play on the smalls and he generates a lot of his own footy from behind the ball as well. He’s having a fantastic season and he’s a great leader of our footy club.”
The Hawks have multiple avenues to goal with Tom Ruggles, Ben Henderson, James Breust, Ben Fennell, Jack Hargreaves, Joel Watson and Chris Tainton all capable of hitting the scoreboard.
It makes Drysdale unpredictable in attack and something that could stand it in good stead come finals time.
“We probably don’t have anyone in the top ten goal kickers for the comp, but we’re finding we’re getting a good spread of midfielders kicking goals,” Carmichael said.
“Just knowing that you know if someone’s down there is someone else that can take the load.”
Drysdale faces Geelong Amateur (1st) and Torquay (2nd) straight after the break.
“They’re probably the two benchmark sides of the competition, which is going to be a great challenge for us,” Carmichael said.
“We get a mental refresh this week with the bye and then we’re looking forward to playing Ammos. It (the round 5 loss) was probably one of our poorer performances, but they’re a really good side and they’re on top of the ladder for a reason.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge in the next two weeks and even the games after that. They’re all challenging, but it’s good to challenge ourselves against a couple of top sides.”
Carmichael said while finishing in the top three would be nice, it wasn’t the be all and end all.
“We’re probably not looking that far ahead at the moment,” he said.
“Ideally we’d love to get that double chance, but with the closeness of the competition and how it’s panning out, we’re just happy to qualify and if we qualify then we’ll take it from there.”
TORQUAY scrapped its way to a 12-point win against neighbours Anglesea with co-skippers Ben McNamara and James Darke best.
BARWON Heads won an arm wrestle against Portarlington by 14 points to move into the top five on percentage. Young gun Marley Cornell was best afield while Connor Menadue booted four for the Demons.
GEELONG Amateur sent a warning to the rest of the comp with a 54-point win against a previously in-form Queenscliff. Defender Dan Weigl and fellow Lara recruit Mitch Day (six goals) were instrumental in the win.
MODEWARRE kept its finals hopes alive with a 45-point win against Ocean Grove. Oscar Cooke was everywhere for the Warriors while young defender Jamison Hallam continued to impress for the Grubbers.
