Drysdale address a mid-season slide with big win over Geelong Amateur

The return of some key personnel has seen a BFNL outfit go from outside the top five to serious challenger once more.

Drysdale captain Mitch McGuire has had enormous couple of weeks. Picture: Alan Barber

With the return of some key soldiers, Drysdale continues to address a mid-season slide which threatened to derail their season.

The Hawks had slipped out of the BFNL top five and were in danger of missing the finals, winning one game from six matches across May and June.

While all of those five losses came against top bracket teams, an 85-point walloping at the hands of Torquay in Round 11 would have given Ben Carmichael and his coaching staff pause for thought.

However, Drysdale has won its past four on the trot, taking care of bottom five teams in Newcomb, Portarlington and Queenscliff.

But the big kill came on Saturday, downing the Ammos by 87 points at home, with the Hawks now in fourth and just a win off Anglesea in second.

The Hawks have been boosted by some big ins of late, with four key players in Ben Fennell, Cam Delaney, Mitch O’Dowd and Flinn Chisholm missing 26 games between them.

Drysdale's Ben Fennell has made a strong return from a hamstring injury. Picture: Alan Barber

Carmichael said the Hawks had never lost the faith over that 1-5 period, but simply weren’t putting in four quarter efforts.

He said the second half against Torquay – outscored 10.5 to just five behinds – and its opening half against Barwon Heads – 11.4 to 2.10 – were the only periods of play which really stood out as un-Drysdale.

“Every other game we’d been a winning chance,” Carmichael said.

“We were totally outplayed that day, Torquay are a great side.

“We certainly thought that month where we did drop a few games, we were actually still playing some really good footy.

“We just weren’t doing it for long enough, and over the last month we’ve found that consistency.”

However, the return of some key personnel has made a big difference.

Drysdale's James Breust has been in the league’s top bracket for clearances, ranking points and contested possessions. Picture: Alan Barber

Fennell, who had missed four consecutive games with a hamstring before returning against the Coutas with three majors, continued his strong form with four on Saturday.

New recruit Cam Delaney, who had missed seven games with an ankle during the middle of the year, kicked his first goal since early May and also finished with three.

Meanwhile, Mitch O’Dowd and Flinn Chisholm got further game time after extended breaks of five and 10 games respectively.

“We started to get a bit of continuity in our list,” Carmichael said.

“It’s amazing what happens when you can settle your side, and have confidence in your system you’re trying to play.

“Having some of those guys back is good for our balance.”

Captain Mitchell McGuire, who had 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances, three goals and a league-high 203 ranking points in Round 15, was again strong with a BOG performance against the Ammos while star defender Luke Preece chipped in with two majors.

“He could certainly play anywhere,” Carmichael said when asked if Preece was a swingman in the making.

“He goes pretty hard at it for a little fella.

“’Goose’ (McGuire), he did his quad earlier in the year so he missed a block of five weeks, he’s starting to get continuity in training and games.

“He’s led from the front the last month. He works really hard on his game, he’s been an amazing leader.

“His performance the last month has been amazing.”

Jack Preece and Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael. Picture: Alan Barber

The Hawks have also reclaimed their damaging second half form of earlier in the season, kicking 11.11 to 2.5 on Saturday.

It was a similar story last round, where the Hawks booted 8.5 to just six points against the Coutas.

For the Ammos, it’s been a shocking two-round run after losing to Ocean Grove last Saturday.

Carmichael says it’s reflective of an even BFNL at the pointy end, in an almost mini version of the AFL.

Torquay, like Sydney, has reigned supreme, followed by an incredible fluid top half of the ladder.

“I reckon there will be a few upsets to come, the comp’s in a really good spot,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see how the last few weeks go.”

Originally published as Drysdale address a mid-season slide with big win over Geelong Amateur