Drysdale are into their first BFL grand final in a decade after beating Barwon Heads by nine points

Two clutch, final term goals to a Drysdale small forward has seen the Hawks qualify for their first grand final in a decade, beating regular season nemesis Barwon Heads by nine points.

Drysdale is into its first BFL grand final in a decade after finally beating its regular season nemesis Barwon Heads by nine points in a thriller at Grinter Reserve.

The Seagulls had numerous chances to ice the preliminary final in the dying stages – as Sammy Baker kicked two clutch goals – but could not provide the knockout punch.

Both Baker and Cooper Ward failed to convert opportunities while Barwon Heads enjoyed some matchwinning momentum.

Seagulls fans were also outraged when Mitchell Phelps ran into an open goal but was judged to have run too far without taking a bounce.

Drysdale's Jake Hargreaves kicks the sealer at Grinter Reserve. Barwon Heads v Drysdale. Picture: Alan Barber

The lead changed several times in a pulsating final term, in what would have made for the perfect BFL season decider.

The game was also halted late as Kyle Maher was escorted from the field by trainers after an apparent collision.

However, it was another small forward, Jake Hargreaves, who did the damage for Drysdale.

He kicked a pair of matchwinners, after marking on the goal line, followed by a brilliant solo effort from the pocket worth the price of admission, with less than a minute to play.

Drysdale's Tom Ruggles and Jake Hargreaves celebrate a late goal. Picture: Alan Barber

In their first win over the Seagulls from four attempts this season, the Hawks got home 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58).

At different stages you sensed Barwon Heads might kick clear but Drysdale simply refused to quit.

Hawks coach Ben Carmichael was thrilled to see his young team qualify for the club’s first grand final since 2013.

“It’s relief,” Carmichael said of his strongest emotion.

“I’m super proud of the group, it’s really exciting for our football club.

“We’ve got 10 kids 21 or under … we’ve really been building.”

Carmichael said Hargreaves was lucky to slot his final major, with the ball bouncing off his shin, while praising Tom Ruggles, Lauchlan Dalgleish, Ben Fennell and the returning Flinn Chisholm, who was concussed against the Seagulls in week one of the finals.

“He’s a heart and soul, grunt player,” Carmichael said of Chisholm

Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael celebrates the nine-point win over Barwon Heads. Picture: Alan Barber

“Tommy Ruggles was fantastic, just an experienced head when the big moments come.”

Earlier, the Hawks started strongly, finding Ruggles on the lead twice for majors with efficient passing.

However, Seagulls forward Brock Close, who had kicked nine goals from two games against the Hawks, was a constant menace and appeared to mark everything in sight.

He capped off his strong work with a fine snap, followed up by an equally brilliant effort on the left from emerging star Oliver Wiltshire, while Kyle Polley and Charlie Hurst were strong across half back.

By the second term, Wiltshire replaced Close as the most dominant player on the park, whether in the middle or roaming in the forward line, and loomed as a game-breaker.

Sammy Baker kicked two final quarter goals. Picture: Alan Barber

The Hawks had plenty of the ball in their forward half but couldn’t find the six-pointer they craved with Hargreaves missing two from the pocket.

Goals either of the main break to Mitch Herbison gave the Seagulls some breathing space of 14 points and the biggest margin of the day.

But the Hawks would go on a mini run on after Ruggles was taken high in front of goals and Hargreaves snapped truly not long after.

A magnificent set shot from the pocket from Wiltshire was a handy retort, before great vision and hands from Ruggles set up Hargreaves’ second.

Seagulls coach upbeat despite disappointing loss

Barwon Heads coach Sam Schaller refused to focus on a questionable umpiring decision which appeared to cost them an important goal late in the preliminary final.

With the Seagulls holding a slender margin, winger Mitchell Phelps swung onto his left from about 30m out in what appeared to be the game-breaking goal.

However, Phelps was judged by the umpire to have run too far which had even Drysdale fans shaking their heads.

“Disappointing but I don’t think it comes down to that,” Schaller said.

Brock Close and Oliver Wiltshire were the Seagulls’ best in the opening half. Picture: Alan Barber

“I knew when he had the footy in his hands it was probably our best bloke kicking for goal.

“(But) there were a few opportunities earlier in the game.”

It looked like two goals to Sammy Baker might trigger a Seagulls run but he and Cooper Ward both missed shots late to leave the door open for Drysdale.

Jake Hargreaves would then do the rest in the very definition of clutch, finals goals.

Schaller was philosophical about the loss, believing the Seagulls didn’t take their chances.

“We had a two, three minute window where we had two or three pings at it, but just couldn’t get that one that would have given us a bit of breathing space,” he said.

“It probably summed up the day, we didn’t take our chances when it matters.

“Tough to lose but a pretty good game of footy I reckon.

Barwon Heads co-coach Sam Schaller said the Seagulls didn’t take their chances. Picture: Alan Barber

“It wasn’t a lack of effort from our guys, we probably just lacked a bit of polish.

“Their pressure was elite. A very tough game.”

Meanwhile, Schaller said defender Kyle Polley, who had a torn meniscus, did an outstanding job to keep James Breust to just one goal – gifted through a free kick – after coming into the game in hot form after four against Anglesea in a semi-final at Portarlington.

He said it was too much of a risk to bring both Polley and Charlie Brauer into the game, after the former was a late exclusion against the Roos with a knee complaint.

“We had a few boys who carried injuries in,” Schaller said.

“Just too much pain with (Brauer).

“He probably would have been right next week. But we couldn’t roll the dice with both of them.”

However, an upbeat Schaller said he and forward Mitch Herbison would go again in 2024 as co-coaches while most of the list had re-signed for next year.

Originally published as Drysdale are into their first BFL grand final in a decade after beating Barwon Heads by nine points