Sometimes, the simple message is the most effective one.
With Drysdale holding a one-point lead over fellow qualifying final hopeful Modewarre at three-quarter time at Community Bank Oval, coach Ben Carmichael kept his final home-and-away address of the season direct and to the point.
“The message was, ‘We still have our destiny in our own hands’,” Carmichael revealed.
“We knew that we had to continue to play an exciting style of footy, and we’d get shots and opportunities on the scoreboard.”
Carmichael was right.
Drysdale created ten shots on goal, kicking 5.5 and keeping Modewarre to just two behinds to post a 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) win.
The result sees the Hawks into a qualifying final for a third consecutive year, with Anglesea standing between them and a crack at Torquay in the second semi-final.
“At the start of the year, that double chance is what you really strive for,” Carmichael said.
“There were certain parts of the year where we found it a bit difficult.
“But, to secure the double chance is really pleasing.”
The usual suspects of Ben Fennell and Tom Ruggles, who combined for seven goals, were at their best.
However, the performance of young big man Ben Henderson drew the highest praise from Carmichael.
“He played as high forward, and to Ben’s credit, he would have taken 15 contested marks,” Carmichael said.
“He played high up the ground and worked back. It was probably one of the better games I’ve seen him play.
“For a young guy like that to stand up in a finals-like game, it’s really pleasing for his development.
“He works really hard on his game, so it was good to see him play such a big role.”
Drysdale will be without young gun Flynn Chirgwin for the clash with the ‘Seas after suffering a quad injury.
Carmichael expects his spot to be taken by Andrew Crosbie, who missed yesterday due to suspension.
Connor Joseph, Ryan Williams, and Seb Hutley each kicked two goals for Modewarre, who were without veteran duo Josh Finch (AFLW coaching commitments) and Tom Hornsey (ankle), and small forward Baxter Anderson (unavailable).
All three, plus key defender Michael Harper, will be available for the elimination final meeting with Geelong Amateur.
“Their good players are as good as anyone in the comp, and they were probably the difference in the end,” Hovey said.
“But, I couldn’t be prouder of the boys’ effort – we really tried hard.
“A couple were banged up a little bit towards the end of the game.”
Barwon Heads will be finals spectators for the first time since 2016 after falling 18 points short of minor premier Torquay at Howard Harmer Oval.
Hopes were high that the Seagulls could hand the Tigers their second loss of the season to snatch an elimination final berth when they led by one point at half-time.
However, a seven-goal-to-four third quarter from the visitors – and the absence of playing co-coach Mitch Herbison, who suffered a finger injury – was the difference in 16.9 (105) to 12.15 (87) result.
Captain Ben McNamara, Jack Thompson and Billy Henderson were the standouts for Torquay.
Herbison, who is standing down as co-coach, had kicked three goals for the Seagulls before leaving the field. Brock Close and Harrison King also kicked three goals.
Geelong Amateur was the beneficiary of Barwon Heads’ loss, with its 71-point win over Newcomb at KFC Oval the perfect warm-up for an elimination final.
The Pegs raced to a 30-point lead by quarter time and, despite a second-quarter fightback from the Power, pulled away after the main break to post a 22.11 (143) to 10.12 (72) result.
Tom Gorell returned from the Geelong Falcons to kick five goals, with Paddy Dowling and best-on-ground Max Hungerford contributing two apiece.
League-leading goalkicker Jack Duke capped a stunning season with a five-goal haul that took his tally for the season to 72.
It’s the best return by a Newcomb player since Leigh Morrisin’s 98-goal effort in 2006.
Queenscliff spoiled the 150th-anniversary celebrations of Portarlington with a thrilling one-point win at Ron Evans Oval, 12.12 (84) to 11.17 (83).
Trailing by 11 points at the 26-minute mark, two late goals from Zac Henderson took his tally to seven for the afternoon and gave his team a one-point lead that they were able to hold onto.
Ironically, 84-83 would have been the final score if AFL Barwon had reversed the result of the Coutas loss to Barwon Heads the previous week.
Connor Menadue almost dragged the Demons over the line with a five-goal haul in his first game in over a month.
Jamison Hallam and Billy Hayward made debuts to remember as Ocean Grove upset finals-bound Anglesea by 15 points at Ellimatta Reserve.
The under-18 pair and under-16 eligible Darcy Harrington were standouts as the Grubbers led at every change on their way to a 14.7 (91) to 10.16 (76) win.
Veteran Jye Walker and Jack Connolly each kicked a season-best four goals.
Will Batson, Dylan Featon, and Courtney Wedderburn finished with two goals for the Roos.
They will regain captain James Carr and star forward Dyl Pettingill among a host of players for the qualifying final meeting with Drysdale.
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