Drysdale might have got its first win for the 2026 season on the board, but the injury curse that hovers over Mortimer Oval remains.
The Hawks took care of competition newcomers Surf Coast by 84 points at Mortimer Oval on Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak – their worst start to a season in 45 years.
However, a knee injury suffered by Paddy Power during the last quarter is suspected to be a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
“We’re waiting on a scan today, but… all the signs are pointing towards that he’s done his ACL,” coach Ben Carmichael said.
“It happened halfway through the last quarter. He was attacking the footy, he just changed direction, and it just buckled in front of the coach’s boxes.
“It wasn’t great.”
Power, who is in his second season at Drysdale after arriving from Sunraysia league club Irymple, missed the majority of 2025 with a syndesmosis injury, and suffered a broken hand heading into this year.
He is one of two players who are feared to have ruptured ACLs on the weekend, with Geelong Amateur defender Spiro Alesios awaiting scans on his own knee issue.
The Power injury aside, it was a positive day for the Hawks.
Carmichael described the victory as a “reward for the boys”.
“I said after the game, ‘we seem to be working hard, we’re training hard, coaches are working hard; just a little reward at the moment’,” he said.
It was a real reward for the boys for the work that they’ve been putting in.”
Debutants Luke Chapman and Harry Smith made an early impact, helping spark the home team, who jumped to a 33-point lead at quarter time.
“Both kicked a goal in the first quarter, which created some great energy within the group,” Carmichael said.
“They certainly didn’t look out of their depth on Saturday. They both did really well.”
In racing terms, Drysdale’s next assignment is “up in class”, with a trip to Barwon Heads on the agenda.
The Seagulls occupy third spot on the ladder, with all three wins coming at home as part of a front-ended fixture of matches at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval, including over reigning premier Anglesea and 2025 finalists. Queenscliff.
“You look at the depth that they’ve got within their squad, they’ve put a really good list together,” Carmichael said.
“And they’re obviously gelling and playing good footy.
“They had a great win on the weekend against Queenscliff, who are flying as well.
“It’s going to be a big challenge going over to Barwon Heads, and it’s one we’re really looking forward to.”
Talented youngster James Robbins is expected to return after spending the past three weeks in the concussion protocol.
However, captain Mitch McGuire’s foot issue continues to linger.
“He’s probably hit a little bit of a road hump again,” Carmichael said.
“We’re not sure what it looks like. It’s flared up a little bit, and he’s had another little niggle.
“We’ll just reset and give him the opportunity to try and get his body right to play again.”
X: @krockfootball
