by Nicholas Duck
A high-scoring affair at Bairnsdale didn't go Drouin's way as the Hawks were overrun by 45 points.
Kicking goals wasn't an issue for either side throughout the day but it was the home side who made the most of their opportunities, consigning Drouin to a 15.6 (96) to 21.15 (141) defeat.
Transition footy was the name of the game as the Redlegs used the width of their home ground to full advantage, punishing the Hawks whenever they turned the ball over.
Couple that with a strong effort from the Bairnsdale engine room that often had the Hawks overcommitting players to the tackle and leaving Redlegs free on the outside and they were able to leave Drouin scrambling despite the Hawks' competitive efforts.
Injuries to captain Jarrod Marshall and Blake Bibby didn't help things, leaving the Hawks a few down on the bench by the end.
Kyron Smith was the most impressive of the Hawks players, taking eight marks and booting three goals in his finest effort up forward for the seniors yet.
Smith has dealt with a number of serious injuries throughout his extremely young career but has gained confidence in recent weeks to leap at the ball when given the chance.
Jacob Obernhumer impressed on his senior debut, having earned a call-up to the wing after just two games in the under 18s.
Kaden Gregg's development in his own wing role took another solid step forward, Ben Tranfield held up well in the backline, Seb Amoroso's tenacity and determination around the ball was on display and Kye Quirk (30 disposals) worked his way into the day despite copping a tag.
For the Redlegs Tyran Rees (29 disposals, eight clearances) was the standout, hurting the Hawks on both the inside and outside.
Will Mitchell (37 disposals, 20 contested possessions) joined in his efforts at the contest, getting in and under and dishing out the ball time and time again as Cooper Harvey ran riot along the wide expanses of Bairnsdale City Oval.
Josh Wykes, Tom Blenheim and Lachlan Byrne-Jones were all equally as excellent in a commanding win for their team.
Bairnsdale took to the field sporting a slightly different look, wearing an orange sash in place of their traditional red one to mark the league's Orange Round, raising awareness around and encouraging people to push back against violence against women in the community.
The two teams traded blows early in the day as the Hawks took a slender lead halfway through the first after a nice checkside goal to big Denver Lund and an accurate shot from Ben Brasier.
The Redlegs took over from thereafter, however, finishing the first term with four consecutive goals to sit 23 points ahead on quarter time.
Goals to Smith and Lund straight after the break put Drouin back in touch only for the Redlegs to resume their assault straight out of the middle, finding a response through Damon O'Connor.
Bairnsdale were gradually able to build a lead despite pockets of Hawks resistance and, trailing by 44 points at the final change of ends, Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh decided to release the shackles and tell his troops to go all-out attack.
It worked to a degree as the Hawks finished the game with five fourth quarter goals, Bairnsdale the same.
It's a win the Redlegs needed to keep in touch with the top five, however faintly. A trip to Parrot Park this week, however, doesn't promise much in the way of good times on paper.
Speaking post-game, Horsburgh said there was more to take out of the game than the first time the Hawks played Bairnsdale in round two, where they lost by 48 points.
"We wanted to get improvement and we got that, even if it was only slightly in terms of the margin. We actually put a score on the board which was pleasing," he said.
"They were the better side on the day. They moved the ball better, their inside 50s were much more potent.
"For our young guys it's all about experience. The more games they get under their belt the better they'll get...there's a lot more positives for us than there were last time."