Bairnsdale broke a five-game Gippsland League losing streak dating back to round six with a convincing round 11 win over Drouin at Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Redlegs had suffered a couple of close losses in that stretch before being taught a lesson by Moe last week with a 75-point hiding.
However, last Saturday’s response was much-needed and kept any slim finals hopes alive, sitting seventh, eight point adrift of fifth-placed Warragul, who the Redlegs defeated on the road in round four.
Saturday’s victory showed Bairnsdale’s scoring firepower, even without goalkicking maestro Brayden McCarrey who is still sidelined by a hamstring injury. The home side booted its highest score of the season – 21.15-141 – on its way to a 45-point triumph, holding off the gallant Hawks who were still in the contest until midway through the third quarter.
The Redlegs had 10 goalkickers with eight provided multiples, led by young guns Kael Frith (four) and Matt Hamilton (three).
Most pleasing, however, for coach Kane Ashwood and his brain’s trust is the fact Bairnsdale recorded 18 more inside 50s and laid eight more tackles, showing a great balance of attack and defence.
Ball magnets Will Mitchell (37 possessions), Cooper Harvey (34), captain Lachlan Byrne-Jones (32) and Tyran Rees (29) were again super impactful, Rees again putting his name in team of the year calculations with two goals, eight clearances and five tackles.
Mitchell and Tom Blenhem also had eight clearances, while returning big man Josh Wykes impressed with 20 hitouts and four tackles, giving the side greater flexibility in allowing Ethan East more freedom.
Blenheim kicked Bairnsdale’s opener off the outside of his left boot following a chain of handballs, however Drouin responded quickly through Riley Wierzbicki.
Max East responded after a sizzling Ricky Tatnell pass, however the Hawks answered through Kyron Smith from a set shot.
The back and forth nature of the contest set the tone for a high-scoring battle.
Byron Vickery completed five minutes of Bairnsdale domination when he goaled at the 13-minute mark, however it was again the Hawks who would score next to close the gap to three approaching time on.
The visitors hit the front after smooth transition allowed Benjamin Brasier to run into an open goal, however it would be their last score of the term as Vickery added a second, Hamilton drilled two long set shots from both pockets, and Damon O’Connor made the most of a 100m penalty right on the quarter time siren to extend the Redlegs’ lead to 23.
after an even second quarter which resulted in a half time difference of 25 points, the opening 10 minutes of the third quarter indicated the end result would be tight with neither side able to break the deadlock.
However after a brilliant piece of riving from Blenhiem in the left forward pocket saw the classy ball user drill a banana, play become more free flowing.
Kye Quirk kept Drouin in the hunt with a long-range major, however Frith kicked two in a row at the beginning of red time and Byrne-Jones got on the end of some quick ball movement to push Bairnsdale’s lead to 44 at the 27-minute mark.
Kaiden Walmsley goaled from a tight angle for the Hawks, however Max East goaled after the siren from a set shot to hand Bairnsdale a 44-point lead heading into the final term, with the margin never challenged.
Bairnsdale faces a difficult road trip this week against Leongatha, however will be buoyed by their round three effort against the perennial finalist.
