Drysdale defenders Luke Preece and Jack Jenkins superb in shutdown of the Warriors

Ten months after Drysdale did a complete shutdown job on Modewarre, the usual suspects were at it again on Saturday as the Hawks won their fourth match in a row.

Drysdale’s Jack Jenkins (left) made life difficult for Modewarre’s forwards. Picture: Mark Wilson

Ten months ago in a semi-final, Drysdale orchestrated a comprehensive shutdown job on Modewarre.

Kept to just 44 points for the match, the Hawks’ back six led from the front as the Warriors, missing BFNL champion Josh Finch with a calf issue, were turfed out of the finals race with a thud.

On Saturday at three quarter time at Mount Moriac Reserve, history was repeating with the Warriors mustering just 31 points to that point — just as they did in that August match at Portarlington.

And it came after Drysdale had kept the Warriors to just 53 points in Round 2, so it’s fair to say Warrior goals had been at an absolute premium across the past 11 quarters against the Hawks.

In windy, cool and sometimes wet conditions, Drysdale had won the territory game, too, and when the home side did venture forward, the ball was spat out quickly with troubling regularity.

The main culprit for the swift defensive exits was gun defender Jack Jenkins.

Almost a human vortex, if the ball was coming out, the skilful vice-captain probably had a hand in it, while Luke Preece also collected his usual amount of intercept marks and was precise at times by foot.

A Chris Tainton goal put the Hawks 37 points up early in the final term. Picture: Mark Wilson

While Tom Hornsey swapped with Zack May in the ruck, he and key forward Connor Joseph were kept to a goal apiece for the match.

Meanwhile, youngster Chris Tainton was having a day out, providing plenty of dash and inside 50 entries for the visitors while Leopold recruit Lachlan Nelis racked up the clearances.

Earlier, down by 21 points but kicking with the wind in the second, Modewarre had an increased share of entries but they were routinely picked off by Jenkins, Preece and co.

The home side switched the ball on occasion but they couldn’t get the required nourishment for its hard work further up the ground.

The Warriors defence too had battled hard to keep their team in with a remote chance at three quarter time, and the home side was still believing despite a clear lack of momentum.

Senior coach Mark Hovey set the scene for the final term, asking his charges to take calculated risks and do whatever it took to move the ball forward and create scoring opportunities.

Modewarre coach Mark Hovey. Picture: Mark Wilson

“We’ve played out this scenario plenty of times (at training),” Hovey said.

“Five points down with two minutes to go.

“We need to play that scenario for the quarter, we need to risk losing by nine goals to try and win the game.

“We need to keep the ball live, we need to create opportunities, we need to run. We’re not going back into our shell here.

“We’ve got to take some chances.”

But when Tainton would produce a terrific running goal to put the Hawks up by 37 points early in the final term, it appeared all over.

Then came the Modewarre response.

For about 10 or so minutes, it looked like they might pinch it as the home team played their most direct brand of footy for the day, booting four goals in succession.

Largely bereft of forward 50 marks, Modewarre got two majors on the board through Connor

Joseph and Oliver Butler who found space.

Modewarre’s Thomas Duncan. Picture: Mark Wilson

And when May converted from a free kick, and another major came through some Callan Farrell class in the middle, the lead had been trimmed to just 13 points and the momentum was all Modewarre’s.

However, former defender turned forward Joel Watson did what the Modewarre struggled to do all day – take a clunk forward of the ball – and the Hawks steadied.

Tainton then peeled off the handball which set up a running Ricky Reid major to put matters to bed, winning 11.15 (81) to 8.8 (56).

After a patchy start to the season, the Hawks have now won four on the bounce, are in second place and face Barwon Heads next Saturday.

For the Warriors, Damon Hemphill looks a quality addition while Farrell, making his way back after a foot injury in the 2023 elimination final, exhibited poise and skill to be named the home side’s best.

Meanwhile, Scott Morter was lively and finished with three to go with his five against the Hawks in Round 2, taking his season’s haul to 24.

With only a marginally better offensive tally in 2025 than Newcomb and Portarlington, scoring will get no easier for the Warriors with the Ammos to come next Saturday.

Originally published as Drysdale defenders Luke Preece and Jack Jenkins superb in shutdown of the Warriors