Drysdale will carry the BFNL’s best current winning streak into tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) qualifying final clash with Anglesea at Portarlington’s Ron Evans Oval.
However, star captain Mitch McGuire says the Hawks will be carrying the message of coach Ben Carmichael following last week’s win, which earned them a double chance, into the clash with the Roos.
“‘Binga’ said after the game, ‘We’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to where we are now,” McGuire told the Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“And we can definitely draw on that experience going into this finals campaign.
“But, all we’ve really done is just qualify. We’ve still got a lot of hard work in front of us. We’re under no illusions that we’ve still got a massive job ahead of us to even get there (a grand final).
“We’ll just be ticking it off box by box.”
Drysdale found itself outside the top five and in danger of missing the finals following a 16-point win loss to Anglesea in Round 12.
However, six consecutive wins, highlighted by an 87-point hiding of Geelong Amateur in Round 16, coincided with several key players’ availability, including midfielder Ben Fennell and Grovedale recruit Cam Delaney.
“That block where we started to come good, we started to get some consistency in our team and were able to play well and play our style of footy for a little bit,” McGuire said.
“It’s good to get that continuity in the team and get some form coming into the right time of the year, that’s for sure.”
One of the key contributors for Drysdale has been veteran forward Tom Ruggles.
The former Geelong player has been a standout in recent weeks, with 15 goals from the final five rounds.
“Similar to a lot of guys, he’s been able to string a few games together now.
“He was getting slammed at work, and he was sore all the time.
“He’s been fit now for a good six-week block. He is able to play well when he’s not battling with his body.
“He’s going to be a massive part of our August, and hopefully, he can keep playing well for us.”
Drysdale settled on one change at selection, with the injured Flynn Chirgwin replaced by Andrew Crosbie.
Angelsea has made seven changes.
After being managed out of last week’s loss to Ocean Grove, captain James Carr, vice-captain Liam Holland, star forward Dyl Pettingill, ruck Fergus Huntington, and Kobe Iversen-Smith return.
Jarod Bacon and Nick Swain will make their first senior appearances since Round 14.
They replace Courtney Wedderburn (shoulder), Matthew Connell, Camdyn Hutchinson, Patrick Gray, Kuiper Hede, Tom Presnell, and Charlie Lawless.
BFNL: AT SELECTION – FINALS WEEK ONE
Geelong Amateur has been forced into three changes for Sunday’s elimination final against Modewarre at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.
Knee issues will sideline Ammos big men Nick Nott and Patrick Ryan while Tom Gorell returns to the Geelong Falcons.
Star duo Jai Sheahan and Blake Sutterby make timely returns, while bottom-age Falcon Archer Hanegraaf has been included for his second senior game.
Gun quartet Josh Finch, Tom Hornsey, Michael Haper and Baxter Anderson are back for the Warriors, who have omitted Jack and Liam Graham, Cooper McKim, and Tom Duncan.
Co-captain Harry Kershaw will play his 100th game for the Pegs.
K rock will broadcast the Elimination Final between Geelong Amateur and Modewarre via krockfootball.live
X: @krockfootball
