by Nicholas Duck
Drouin's thirds went down swinging after giving Leongatha one hell of a scare on Saturday.
The Hawks took the ladder leaders all the way, refusing to go away all day and even looking the more likely side at various stages.
It wasn't to be in the end, however, the Parrots holding firm to leave Drouin down 7.5 (47) to 8.7 (55) at the final siren.
Drouin were made to regret giving away a run of five straight Leongatha goals, three at the back of the second quarter and two at the beginning of the third.
Having gone from 11 points up to 20 down nobody would have been shocked if the Hawks had thrown in the towel.
That wasn't how things went, however, the Hawks fighting tooth and nail until the end.
A large part of their impressive effort was an excellent display from Rylie Baker, who booted six of his team's seven goals.
Outside of Baker it was Jesse Etchell, William Virtue, Thomas Mapleson, Jett Proctor, Ewan Croucher and James Welford giving it their all.
In other thirds results Moe thumped Morwell 12.11 (83) to 3.4 (22) and Bairnsdale pipped Sale 6.6 (42) to 5.8 (38).
Drouin's fourths were similarly unlucky, falling short in their own fightback against Leongatha.
Staring down a 17-point deficit at the final change of ends the Hawks gave it a fair old effort, getting to within a couple of kicks before succumbing 6.9 (45) to 8.8 (56).
One goal across the second and third terms hurt the Hawks' chances and gave the Parrots the ascendancy they needed on the scoreboard to hold on late.
But while it's a chance gone begging for the winless Drouin, there was plenty to work with moving forward.
Their best players included Blake Alie, Dylan Bordonaro (three goals), Jett Proctor, Joshua Taranto, Rory Vanderplight and Charlie Croucher.
Elsewhere in the fourths Moe easily got the best of Morwell 16.16 (112) to 6.8 (44) and Bairnsdale pummelled Sale 12.12 (84) to 6.7 (43).
Drouin's reserves were expectedly swept aside by Leongatha.
A late goal to Charlie Piner gave some joy to the visitors but there wasn't much surprise in a match between the league's best and worst sides.
Having lost by 223 points the week prior a smaller margin this week against a better side is worth something at least.
Trying hard for the Hawks all day were Hamish Piner, Fletcher Lockwood, Liam Lenders, Hayden Watson, Kaleb Hermansen and Jackson Bennett.
In other reserves results Moe smacked Morwell 13.4 (82) to 2.4 (16) and Sale crushed Bairnsdale 13.10 (88) to 4.8 (32).