Bairnsdale has broken through for its first win of the season in round two of the Gippsland League, defeating Drouin by 48 points at the Morwell Recreation Reserve.
In hot conditions, it was a test for two young teams, both keen to get on the board in 2025.
Bairnsdale kicked with the assistance of what wind was left in the first quarter, after it died down around game time.
The Redlegs got the jump on the young Hawks and had the first three goals on the board before Drouin realised that the game had started.
This was led by the dominance of the Bairnsdale onballers early, with Will Mitchell (34 disposals), Tom Blenheim (26) and Lachlan Cloak getting their hands on the ball early.
The Hawks then settled and it became an open game with some quick ball movement that resulted in majors for both teams.
Bairnsdale coming out on top in a high scoring first quarter, holding a two goal ascendancy which pleased coach, Kane Ashwood.
The second quarter started in similar fashion to the first, where both sides moved the ball quickly and tried to hit the scoreboard, sharing the two early goals.
However the more experienced Bairnsdale players started to dominate around the ball and the continual forward attacks were proving too much for the Hawks’ defence.
Mitchell, Rees (37), Harvey (38) and Blenheim were having a field day around the ground, through the dominance of new ruckman Jack White in the middle.
The Quirks brothers, Aden, Kye and Caleb were trying hard for the Hawks and a surprise packet up forward in Tomas Unferdorben, who finished with three goals was providing some instances of brilliance. Bairnsdale began to kick away and the crowd was thinking how far, however, the young legs of Drouin managed to kick three on the trot to keep some interest in the game at half time, the Redlegs leaders by 27 points.
The third quarter was a dour struggle where both teams struggled to get their game going and scoring was proving hard.
The flowing football of the first half was nowhere to be seen and there were stoppages, turnovers and lack of goals, with the only three majors kicked by the Redlegs, extending their advantage to 46 points.
The last quarter brought back the end-to-end football with goals being kicked up either end, Bairnsdale able to keep the Hawks at bay as both sides finished with four goals each for the quarter.
The Redlegs would be pleased with the result as champion big man, Ethan East was uncharacteristically fumbling and non-dominant in the air, while Brayden McCarrey was reasonably well held, but still managed to kick four goals, as did the freakish Rees.
Byron Vickery impressed kicking three after the coaching panel swapped him and Ricky Tatnell in the second quarter, the former looking more comfortable back in defence.
Unheralded players like Oscar Clarke, Jamie Dore, Oscar Pike and Damon O’Connor also got plenty of ball and look to be growing in confidence.
Ashwood was delighted with the result but mindful that there is still plenty of work to be done.
“It was great to win, but we still have plenty of growth, we need to show more composure when we have the football, it was definitely a significant improvement, but we are still looking way from mastering our craft,” Ashwood said.
The Redlegs were best served by their mosquito fleet, led by Rees, Mitchell, Harvey, Blenheim and Cloak, while they would be hoping the form of White continues into the future.
Drouin got consistent contributions from Kye Quirk, Aden Quirk, Unferdorben, Zayne Atkins, Darcy Britt and Max Williames.
Bairnsdale will enjoy a break over the Easter weekend before welcoming Leongatha to the Bairnsdale Oval for round three.
Ashwood reported that the Redlegs have got through unscathed injury wise.
