by Nicholas Duck
The trip down south proved to be a painful one for Drouin on Saturday as they were no match for Wonthaggi.

Playing in some challengingly chilly conditions the Hawks were unable to keep pace with the Power past half time, outscored 13 goals to three to leave them 86 points adrift by the final siren.
Most of the damage was done in a particularly devastating third term barrage from the home side, who piled on eight goals to two and in turn transformed a decently competitive match into a foregone conclusion on the scoreboard.
Returning Gippsland Power young gun Brodie Atkins led the way for the Hawks, showing every bit of why he's been a standout for the Talent League table toppers this year as he racked up 35 disposals and 10 clearances through the middle.
Returning recruit Zayne Atkins continued his solid run of form by keeping Ryan Sparkes accountable through the middle and teenager Kaiden Walmsley finished the day as Drouin's lone multiple goalkicker with two.
Star midfielder Kye Quirk battled hard on a tough day at the office while William Young and Seb Amoroso rounded out the Hawks' best.
With Drouin underdoing a near complete rejuvenation of their list this year it's the games against the league's best that show them how far they have to go over the next couple of seasons.
And with Wonthaggi being among this year's outside contenders, that was on display after the main break, the Power putting their foot on the throat and never relenting.
Despite the attention he received Ryan Sparkes was still a standout, particularly up forward where, free from Zayne Atkins, he booted three goals.
Kyle Reid's drive off half back proved influential, Jye Gilmour was effective while the likes of Noah Anderson, Jakeb Thomas and Jaxon Williams were all strong.
With mistakes creeping into the youthful Drouin side's game as the day wore on the experienced heads of the Power were more than happy to capitalise, especially when the rain dissipated and Wonthaggi were able to put some speed on the ball.
The first quarter told a different tale, however, with the Hawks taking it right up to their highly fancied opponents.
An early injury to Aden Quirk didn't help their case, but the early signs were good for the visitors.
They struck the first blow of the day more than 10 minutes into a hard-fought contest through Zayne Atkins, who received the ball on the outside of a stoppage and threw it on the boot to great effect.
Wonthaggi returned serve thanks to Noah Anderson and Cooper McInness – the latter of whom ended the day with four goals – but a late goal out the back to Walmsley had the Hawks right in the game.
After trading goals early in the second term the Power made their move, finding the last three of the half to take a 26-point lead into the break.
Despite the deficit Drouin were still showing plenty of positive signs to that point. Like the rain, however, those soon dried up.
It didn't take long for Power to assert their dominance with some quick majors and from there the contest fell into a predictable pattern.
Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh was happy with his side's efforts in the first half.
"We probably should have nearly been up at quarter time. Even in the wet we chipped it around early, got into an attacking position and we looked dangerous going inside 50," he said.
"After half time we just fell away and I don't really have an answer as to why we fell away.
"It was same old same old from us, too many mistakes."
Despite the inexperience of his team, Horsburgh said his players were refusing to use it as an excuse.
"Youth is our positive. We can't use that as an excuse, we can't use that as a negative, that's our positive."
Drouin will head to Trafalgar this weekend for a 'home' game against Sale. The Magpies are similarly winless and are currently the walking wounded. Could there be blood in the water for the young Hawks?