Drysdale will be without captain Mitch McGuire and emerging defender Luke Preece for its Easter Saturday meeting with Queenscliff at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
The Hawks will take a conservative approach with McGuire, who is battling a hip issue that forced him out of the Round 2 win over Modewarre in the opening quarter.
While Werribee-listed Preece is the travelling emergency for the VFL premiers’ weekend meeting with Sydney.
Coach Ben Carmichael expects McGuire to be right for the highly anticipated Anzac Day meeting with Portarlington.
“He’s super important to the way we play,” Carmichael said.
“He’s got just a little hip soreness, and through the groin as well.
“We’ll give him the week off, and he should be right to go next Friday.”
Preece, who finished third in last year’s Les Ash Medal, was invited to train with Werribee in the pre-season and is edging towards a VFL debut.
“It’s looking like that, which is exciting for him,” Carmichael said.
Drysdale will also be without Irympe recruit Paddy Power (ankle), but welcome back Lauchie Dalgleish and Jye Hawkins after both missed the second-half blowout of the Warriors.
The Hawks hope to have experienced defender Tim Delaney on Anzac Day, but brother Cam remains unlikely to be seen until later in the season as he recovers from a persistent ankle issue.
“He’ll be taking the long road for his recovery,” Carmichael said.
“So we’re still looking at the back half of the year.”
Queenscliff has named talented youngster Jordy Monahan who kicked three goals on debut for the Geelong Falcons last week.
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