After surviving a scare from Newcomb on Saturday, Drysdale will be on guard for Portarlington’s challenge in what shapes as the most competitive Anzac Day meeting between the clubs since 2019.
The Hawks, who were missing midfield guns Ben Fennell, Flinn Chisholm and captain Mitch McGuire, outlasted the Power for a low-scoring eight-point win at Grinter Reserve.
Coach Ben Carmichael knows the ever-improving Demons will make life challenging for his team at Ron Evans Oval on Thursday.
“They’re playing some really good footy,” he said. “Even on the weekend, you saw they’ve dangerous forwards, and they can post a score.
“There are no easy games in the competition now, and if you’re a little bit off, you’ll get found out.”
Drysdale has won the past eight meetings with Portarlington, including the five since the pandemic, by an average of 148 points.
While Carmichael wouldn’t be disappointed to record a percentage-boosting victory, he’s welcomed the return to competitiveness and relevance of the club where his father Ian played in a premiership in 1978.
“It’s great for the competition that Portarlington is playing some really good footy,” he said.
“We’re really excited and honoured to play on the day, and to come up against a great club like Portarlington is really special.”
McGuire (quad) and Chisholm (personal) will again be sidelined, with Carmichael considering playing Fennell or giving him another nine days to recover from an ankle injury suffered in the Round 2 win over Barwon Heads.
“We’re probably leaning towards him not playing at this stage,” Carmichael said.
“It’s just a niggly ankle. He’s a small chance to play, but it’s looking more unlikely than likely.”
This Anzac Day meeting will be the 16th between the clubs since the tradition commenced in 2008.
Drysdale leads the head-to-head 11-5.
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