Power escapes Hawks’ fierce challenge

THREE goals up at the final change against winless Drouin, Wonthaggi playing coach Jarryd Blair warned his troops not to relax, stressing the Hawks were up for the fight, and he was on the money with Power lucky to survive a tense finish.

While Wonthaggi was quickly into attack when the last term commenced, with coach Blair’s precise handball setting up a goal scoring opportunity, a hurried snap under pressure registered only a behind.

Both sides continued to display full commitment in a physical game characterised by repeat stoppages and numbers around the footy, but Drouin began to seize the advantage by nailing its forward opportunities.

The Hawks’ persistence put them ahead, slotting a major on the run early in time on, having then booted four last term goals to none, but Wonthaggi wasted little time replying.

That response came courtesy of a Troy Harley juggled mark, with an opponent hot on his heels, and an accurate set shot from a few metres inside Wonthaggi’s forward arc. His kick edged Power three points ahead.

That remained the situation for some minutes, with that time filled with numerous stoppages, high numbers around the ball and relentless commitment from both sides.

Drouin delivered a scare by reaching half forward with little time remaining, but Wonthaggi earned a free kick, then worked its way to the other end where Jarryd Blair found Cooper McInnes on the lead.

He gave all indications he would veer to the side and snap for goal, but bluffed the defender, sneaking past and running into an open goal to put an exclamation mark on Wonthaggi’s win as the siren rang out. Jack Blair was instrumental in the win, playing a superb last quarter.

At one stage, he earned a pat on the head from brother Jarryd after an inspirational passage of play.

Jack brought the ball to ground in a contest, then hurled himself into multiple battles, eventually getting the footy safely across the boundary line.

“It was massive,” Power’s coach said of his brother’s final term.

The efforts of young Brodie Mabilia throughout the game also won the coach’s praise.

“He stepped up, was clean around the ball and gets his hands free,” Blair said.

The ever-reliable and hard-at-it Ryan Sparkes won plenty of the Sherrin and brought teammates into the game, standing up in big moments, and being the winner’s best. In the rooms, coach Blair praised his side’s ability to stay composed when it fell behind.

“Let’s look after ourselves and recover well,” he urged his players, mindful of the upcoming journey to Bairnsdale in round 6.

Recruit McInnes booted four of Wonthaggi’s 10 goals, being the only Power player to kick multiple majors.

Aden Quirk was named best for a gallant Drouin, with Clayton Kingi, Shay Harvey and skipper Jarrod Marshall registering two goals each, and Will Papley’s toughness around the contest earning acknowledgement from Power coach Blair.