Drysdale will have a nervous wait on a couple of stars following Saturday’s 14-point win over Barwon Heads at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
Star midfielder Ben Fennell suffered an ankle injury in the 13.15 (93) to 12.7 (79) victory, and James Breust received a yellow card for a third-quarter incident with Seagulls Angus Ford that is likely to be looked at by AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel.
Carmichael says the severity of the injury for Fennell, who kicked three goals, remains unknown.
“He played the game out, so we’re not really sure what it’s like at the moment,” Carmichael said.
After being blown away late in the opening-round loss to Torquay, Carmichael was impressed with how his charges responded on Past Players’ Day.
“We felt like we got the game on our terms,” he said.
“Our ball movement was a lot cleaner; we hit targets.
“The young kids were really good as well. Last week, it felt like they were a little bit overawed, but this week they were fantastic.”
After he missed the opening round due to illness, the experienced Flinn Chisholm showed how important he is to Drysdale.
“Just his grunt work around stoppages, and his spread post-stoppage is really good,” Carmichael said.
“As the game went on, he was fantastic.”
Jake Hargreaves joined Fennell in kicking three goals, while small forward Sammy Baker contributed four for Barwon Heads.
Reigning Les Ash medallist Luke Davis was named the Seagulls’ best.
Portarlington has snapped a 58-game losing streak against Ocean Grove and started a season 2-0 for the first time since 2010, following a 30-point win at Ray Menzies Oval.
Led by another five-goal haul from Teia Miles, the Demons took down the Grubbers for the first time since 1994 with a 13.5 (83) to 7.11 (53) victory.
Leopold recruit Connor Asquith and Nathan Down kicked two goals apiece for the Grubbers, again best served by ruck Ed Dayman.
An ankle injury to star Geelong Amateur midfielder Tom Gribble has soured a fighting seven-point win over Queenscliff at the Couta Bowl.
The two-time VFL Liston Trophy winner was forced from the field early in the final quarter of the 12.13 (85) to 11.12 (78) victory.
Co-coach Dan Holroyd says Ammos are unsure of the severity of the damage.
“It’s still pretty unclear; we will know more in a couple of days,” he said.
“There’s no timeline on recovery yet, but we’re not ruling anything out.”
Former St Mary’s star Paddy Dowling kicked three goals for Ammos, with Riley Ferguson a standout in the midfield.
Kyle Hartigan was held to two goals for Queenscliff, with Sol Bowtell and Will Baker also contributing two.
Reigning premier Torquay has had to dig deep to overcome Newcomb, escaping Grinter Reserve with an 11-point win.
The plucky Power, coached by injured assistant Damien Horbury in Tony Mirabella’s absence, led at quarter and halftime.
They trailed by just three points at the final change, giving themselves a massive chance of beating the Tigers for the first time since 2007.
However, the visitors kicked four goals to three in the last quarter to claim a 13.15 (83) to 12.10 (82) victory.
Reigning Talent League best-and-fairest Paddy Hughes kicked four goals in a best-on-ground display for the Tigers.
For Newcomb, Jake Duke registered his second five-goal haul to start the season, while Thewin Robertson was impressive.
Anglesea has maintained its unbeaten start to the season following a comfortable 79-point win over Modewarre.
The Roos bounded out of the gates with a five-goal to none opening term and were never seriously threatened in the 17.17 (119) to 6.4 (40) result.
Playing coach Jordan Keras and veteran addition Tom Couch both managed three goals for Anglesea.
Scott Morter, Scott Hughes and Connor Joseph each kicked two goals for the Warriors.
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