Drysdale has overcome a 42-point deficit and a late shot at a match-winner from a Newcomb star to claim a thrilling one-point victory at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
Scores were tied when Jack Preece was deemed to have made insufficient intent to keep the ball in play around 45m from the Power goal.
Reigning league-leading goalkicker Jack Duke stepped up to try and steal victory from the jaws of defeat, but his shot failed to carry the goal line, and the Hawks were able to force a stoppage and hold on for an 11.12 (78) to 11.11 (77)
“It’s a tough game to adjudicate and there’s plenty of pressure out there,” a diplomatic Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael said when questioned about the decision.
“I’m not sure if it was there or not, but they got a chance to have another shot and lucky enough, it fell short.”
Newcomb burst out of the blocks, kicking the opening four goals of the contest, to open up a 36-point buffer at quarter time.
The margin reached as much as 42 points in the third quarter before Drysdale started to climb off the canvas.
The Hawks kicked four consecutive goals to round out the term to cut the deficit to 18 points.
Lauchie Dalgleish kicked two goals in the third quarter and a further two in the final term – the last cutting the margin to two points.
Three consecutive behinds in time-on proved to be the difference.
“In the first half, Newcomb played some really good footy,” Carmichael said.
“They played with speed, and they probably got us out the back a few times, and we probably found ourselves in a tricky position.
“At one stage, we were seven goals down. But to the boys’ credit, we just chipped away at it, and we found ourselves on the right end of it.
“We’ve had a couple of close losses, so it’s good to get one back.”
With the evenness of the Bellarine, Carmichael is pleased to reach the first bye with a 3-3 win-loss record.
“Looking at the comp, square on the ledger, we’re pretty happy with that,” he said.
“We have lost a couple of close ones that we’d love to have won, but we got one back today.
“I reckon nine wins might get you there (finals) this year.”
Carmichael was full of praise for experienced defender Jack Jenkins, who received assistance from Tom Ruggles when the situation was looking grim for Drysdale.
Newcomb’s best were Jarrad Duncan and recruit Oli Poulson, with Jake Watson finishing with three goals.
Queenscliff has ended the unbeaten start to the season of Geelong Amateur with a thrilling six-point result at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
Seemingly home when leading by 33 points when Jo Cincotta goaled eight minutes into the final term, the Coutas didn’t score again as the Pegs kicked the last four goals, including three in quick succession in time-on to give themselves a chance to snatch the contest.
Ultimately, Queenscliff claimed its third win of the season, 19.7 (121) to 17.13 (115).
Izaac Grant kicked five goals for the Coutas, while Jayden McHenry finished with four majors in his maiden appearance for the club.
It was the first time the Leopold premiership player had taken the field since a two-year stint at Ocean Grove ended in 2023.
Mitch Day and Tom Gorell kicked four goals apiece for Ammos, whose first-place gap has been reduced to a game.
Anglesea has claimed a nail-biting two-point win over Portarlington, 14.11 (95) to 14.7 (91) in a clash at Ellimatta Reserve that saw six lead changes in the final twelve minutes.
The Demons grabbed the lead for the first time since holding it momentarily in the second quarter when they goaled at the 19-minute mark of the final term.
From that point on, it was goal-for-goal, with Ayden Gras, who took his tally for the season to 33 with an eight-goal haul, fittingly having the final say.
At the other end, Teia Miles finished with five goals for the second time this season.
Torquay has defied shocking inaccuracy and a plucky Modewarre to extend its winning streak to four matches following an 8.19 (67) to 7.12 (54) result at McCartney Oval.
Cooper Heard kicked three goals for the Tigers, who Mackenzie Burns and Tom Hooper best served.
Tom Hornsey finished with three majors for the Warriors, with Oscar Hocking and Oscar Cooke four-quarter contributors.
Mitch Herbison continues to age like a fine wine, kicking eight goals as Barwon Heads retained the Battle of the Bridge trophy with a 77-point hiding of Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval, 18.10 (118) to 6.5 (41)
Vice-captain Lachie Wilson also impressed, finishing with three goals.
Jhdara Jones kicked two goals for the Grubbers, who haven’t finished with a score above 70 since Round 1.
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