Drouin's thirds prevailed in a thrilling three-point contest over Bairnsdale on Saturday.
Leading by 24 points at three quarter time, the Hawks were made to withstand a withering comeback from the home side before eventually holding their nerve to win 9.11 (65) to 9.8 (62).
Having looked fairly comfortable to the final change of ends there were a few reasons to panic after Bairnsdale booted the first four goals of the final term to bring things back onto an even keel.
Some peppering around the goals gave the Redlegs a slender lead, only for the visitors to strike back for one final goal and snatch victory from the jaws of what would have been a devastating defeat.
It's a significant win given the disparity between the teams on the ladder; Bairnsdale went into the clash inside the top five, while Drouin have been fighting for wins outside of it.
Given how much the Hawks thirds have had to give to keep their senior side up and running, it's even more impressive.
Their best were Thomas Mapleson, Rylie Baker, Darcy Britt, James Welford, Blake Alie and Caleb Kleeven.
Warragul's thirds kept in striking distance of top spot courtesy of a comfortable win over Morwell.
The Gulls kicked five unanswered goals in the first term to set them on their way, eventually walking away with another four points 11.9 (75) to 6.6 (42).
They didn't have it all way, their lead reduced to just 15 points by the time the last rolled around.
Not that it mattered much, the Gulls too classy for the winless Tigers in the end.
Now sitting at eight wins, two losses and one draw the Gulls are set up nicely as we come into the home stretch.
Xavier Olsson, Finn Sheehan, Cameron Thompson (five goals), Jake Boote, Joseph Simpson and Callum Jenkins all played well for Warragul.
In other thirds results Maffra thumped Wonthaggi 14.12 (96) to 2.7 (19), Leongatha overcame Sale 10.8 (68) to 7.8 (50) and Moe pipped Traralgon 8.7 (55) to 7.7 (49).
A barnstorming first quarter led Warragul's fourths to a comfortable victory over Morwell.
Like their thirds counterparts the Gulls kicked five unanswered goals early to set up a fairly easy day at the office, the finals score 11.8 (74) to 6.3 (39).
Though the Tigers showed some good fight after that point, enough to win the second and third quarters, the Gulls kept things at a safe distance before kicking away again late.
Warragul are now a game clear in third position on the ladder courtesy of the win.
Their top performers included Henry Allsop, Nash Olsson, Jake Boote, Cooper Leighton, Chase Ingram and Harvie Dennis.
Drouin's fourths couldn't quite go with Bairnsdale.
Trailing by nine points heading into the last, the Hawks conceded 3.1 to 2.1 en route to an 8.7 (55) to 11.4 (70) defeat.
A particularly damaging second quarter from the Redlegs proved to be the catalyst in the result, kicking four unanswered majors to build what proved to be a match-winning 30-point lead.
It was another solid effort from the winless Hawks, who continue to trouble plenty of quality teams even without being able to get a result.
This Saturday's game against fellow battler Wonthaggi could be their best chance of breaking their hoodoo.
Drouin's better players were Koby McLeish, Joab Ferguson, Brodie Honeyman, Ethan Hair, Dylan Bordonaro and Jett Proctor.
Elsewhere in the fourths Maffra thrashed Wonthaggi 14.14 (98) to 3.4 (22), Leongatha took care of Sale 11.13 (79) to 3.5 (23) and Traralgon destroyed Moe 16.15 (111) to 4.3 (27).
Warragul's reserves banked another win after taking advantage of a wasteful Morwell.
The Gulls made the most of their chances in front of goal, claiming victory 7.6 (48) to 2.13 (25).
Bad kicking is bad footy and after kicking just one goal in each half, the Tigers would definitely be ruing some bad footy.
For the Gulls a four-goal second term was a particular highlight, giving them the perfect platform for the second half.
It means including the senior result the Gulls had a perfect day at the office footy-wise. Not bad at all.
James Davidson, Jake Hughes, Tom Hillard, Jack Casson, Scott Kelly and Lachlan Miller were the Gulls who especially impressed.
Drouin's reserves weren't so lucky in a tough 110-point loss to Bairnsdale.
The Hawks were held goalless until the final term in the bruising 2.4 (16) to 19.12 (126) defeat.
Joel Cooke, William Virtue, Jackson Bennett, Ross Stapleton, Hayden Watson and Cam Caddy never stopped trying for Drouin.