by Nicholas Duck
Warragul's fourths returned to their winning ways courtesy of a 19-point win against Leongatha.
Six goals to two in the first half built a nice platform for the Gulls, who were then able to hold the Parrots at bay to prevail 9.3 (57) to 5.8 (38).
Their frontline duo of Fraser Aubrey and Bill De Araugo again were key to their success as both players booted four goals to sit third and first in the league goalkicking respectively.
It keeps the Gulls on track following their crushing loss to Traralgon last week as they maintain second spot on the ladder.
With third-placed Maffra looming next week, it'll be a game worth getting to the Maffra Recreation Reserve early for.
John Strating, Jake Boote, Harvie Dennis, Nate Young and Cooper Leighton were Warragul's best, along with the aforementioned Aubrey.
Drouin's fourths got a taste of what the league's top team can do as they were utterly helpless to stop Traralgon.
As they've done to all before them the Maroons came and conquered, dominant from the word go to leave the Hawks licking their wounds 2.3 (15) to 26.16 (172).
Premierships aren't won in May, but it's going to take something pretty special to stop the Maroons as they rampage through the competition.
Tyler Williames, Tyler Williams, Remy Butler, Jett Proctor, Billy Hanneysee and Blake Alie never stopped trying for Drouin.
In other fourths results Moe crushed Sale 10.17 (77) to 4.3 (27), Wonthaggi pipped Bairnsdale 8.6 (54) to 7.7 (49) and Maffra defeated Morwell 10.3 (63) to 3.9 (27).
Warragul's thirds suffered their second consecutive defeat of the season as their premiership defence has hit a bit of a snag.
The Gulls were brought undone by Leongatha 5.4 (34) to 10.2 (62), the Parrots proving too good as the game wore on.
Warragul were largely brought undone in the second and final quarters, where the visitors made significant moves on the scoreboard.
Some better efforts in the first and third neutralised the damage, but without ever really looking like the Gulls were going to grab the game by the scruff of its neck.
It leaves them now sitting in fifth and with a tricky match-up with Maffra to come this week.
Levi Moore, Xavier Olsson, Ty Ward, Tom Logan, Jake Boote and Cooper Leighton kept flying the flag all day.
It was close but not close enough for Drouin's thirds as they fell short of an upset against Traralgon.
A poor first term proved a killer for the Hawks, who refused to die wondering as they were defeated 6.3 (39) to 7.10 (52).
Given they found themselves 22 points adrift after just one quarter and teetering on the edge of a big loss, the spirit they showed from that point gives them something to work with moving forward.
Maybe just clean up that first term, and who knows.
Drouin's better players included Jesse Etchell, Rylie Baker (four goals), Saxon Stark, Jason Huston, William Virtue and Jett Proctor (in his second great game of the day).
Elsewhere in the thirds Moe thrashed Sale 11.11 (77) to 0.4 (4), Bairnsdale beat Wonthaggi 9.14 (68) to 5.5 (35) and Maffra dismantled Morwell 7.10 (52) to 1.7 (13).
Warragul's reserves were no match for the might of Leongatha.
The Gulls were kept to just one goal as they went down 1.2 (8) to 14.9 (93).
It was hardly a surprising result given the quality the Parrots have throughout their program, though Warragul were able to show some fight in patches.
Still, there's a reason Leongatha rarely ever lose.
Warragul were best served by Harrison Cant, Jack Casson, Scott Kelly, Charlie MacLean and Xavier La Frantz.
Drouin's reserves suffered their second annihilation in as many week against Traralgon.
There's just no escaping the difference in quality between the Hawks and the competition's best this year and never was that more evident than Saturday as Drouin were blown off the park 0.0 to 35.13 (223).
Six Maroons players kicked three goals or more, with Oliver Haberl (seven) and Jaxon Mudita (five) the best of them.
Trying all day for the Hawks were Cam Caddy, Charlie Piner, Peyton Saddington, Corey Nickels, Hayden Watson and Ryan Stark.