Hawks continue to soar through Round 5

CO-COACH at the Drysdale Hawks Ben Carmichael believes more clarity and hard work have been the key to the side’s success through five weeks of action and will look to build on that against Ocean Grove Saturday.

Drysdale are the only team inside the Bellarine Football League’s (BFL) top four that failed to make finals last season and are the only side to remain undefeated through five rounds in 2022.

“Over the preseason we worked on different structures and gave our guys a better understanding of what their roles are for this season,” Carmichael said.

“At the moment, the guys know what their roles entail and they are performing them really well.”

The Hawks began their campaign with a hard-earned 84-77 win over fellow top-four side Barwon Heads before their statement 137-52 win over Geelong Amateur in Round 2.

Carmichael’s men squeezed by Queenscliff 82-81 then trounced a lowly Portarlington side in Round 4 155-28 starting the team off 4-0.

Most recently, the Hawks put the league on notice with a 33-point win over Torquay (83-50), keeping one of the BFL’s most dominant forwards off the scoreboard in the process.
“The guys defended extremely well over the weekend limiting Torquay to just six goals which was a fantastic effort,” Carmichael said.

“Jack Jenkins did a really good job on Lucas Anderson, but it was team defence in the backline, and we limited their supply in the midfield.”

Carmichael was quick to note that the Hawks aren’t thinking too far ahead due to the balanced talent across the competition.
Drysdale heads to Shell Reserve this week to take on the Grubbers in a bid to make it six on the trot.

A win in Ocean Grove puts the squad in good stead to secure another two wins in Round 7 and 8 when Anglesea and Modewarre travel to Mortimer Oval.

“When Ocean Grove played us last year their young side loved to run and carry the footy on a home ground they play extremely well,” Carmichael said.

“They’ve just had a good win against Portarlington, so they’ll be looking to consolidate that this week and we’ve just got to bring our pressure which is our best brand of footy.”

Drysdale and Ocean Grove start their Round 6 contest at 2.10pm this Saturday, May 7.