Drysdale will be without off-season addition Andrew Crosbie for Saturday’s crucial final-round meeting with Modewarre after accepting a one-match suspension for an incident in last week’s win over Ocean Grove.
Crosbie, who has played every game since joining the Hawks from GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell ahead of the 2024 season, was cited by AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel for a dangerous tackle on Grubber Nathan Down in the final quarter of the clash at Mortimer Oval.
It was graded as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact, drawing a two-match sanction.
However, Crosbie lodged an early guilty plea to ensure he’s right for Drysdale’s first final.
If the Hawks beat the Warriors, they will meet Anglesea in the qualifying final.
A loss opens the possibility of Drysdale missing the finals if Barwon Heads’ win against Queenscliff stands and the Seagulls and Geelong Amateur defeat Torquay and Newcomb, respectively, in the final round.
In the GFNL, acting Newtown & Chilwell captain Ned Harris has accepted a reprimand for a dangerous tackle on Grovedale big man Ryan Abbott during the second quarter of the Towners’ narrow win at Elderslie Reserve.
The MRP assessed the incident as careless conduct, low impact, and high contact, with Harris avoiding a one-match suspension with an early guilty plea.
Geelong West recruit Frazer Robb escaped sanction for a dangerous tackle on St Joseph’s star Jack Buckley during the second quarter of the clash at Drew Oval due to the vision of the alleged incident being deemed inconclusive.
In the GDFNL, Thomson accepted the MRP’s offer of a reprimand with an early guilty plea to Tiger Jackson Sheedy for a dangerous tackle on North Geelong star Rory Desnoy.
The third quarter incident at Keith Barclay Oval was assessed as careless conduct, low impact, and contact to the body.
The MRP scrutinised two incidents from Inverleigh’s big win over Corio at Morton Power Oval.
A high bump by Hawks skipper Jack Fiolet on Blake Ash and a strike by Devil Jacob Kleidon on Ryan Bell were not deemed reportable.
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