by Nicholas Duck
Warragul and Drouin will face off this week in a Western Derby with more consequence than the match-up has carried in recent times.
In past years the Western Derby has been a bit of an afterthought to some punters in the Gippsland League - a battle between two of the league's "less relevant" clubs that doesn't have any impact on the league at large.
Things might just be a bit different on Sunday at Western Park though.
Both Warragul and Drouin have shown arguably more signs of life in two weeks than they have for most of the past two seasons.
The Gulls began their year with a statement win over last year's runners-up in Wonthaggi and backed it up last week with a more than competitive effort against Sale away from home - a fixture that has traditionally resulted in losses by 10 goals or more.
Optimism is running relatively high in the Warragul camp despite the loss, with a couple of lapses ultimately all that decided the game.
The Hawks are coming into this derby on a high having pummelled Maffra to the tune of 66 points, their highest winning margin ever against the Eagles.
It was just the tonic they needed following a flat round one loss to Bairnsdale and will have them raring to go.
So just where will the game be won? There are a few areas, but in all likelihood this will be a game won or lost in the middle.
Both teams have recruited heavily to bolster their midfields and are reaping the rewards.
For Warragul the introduction of inside bull Isaac Wallace and former Claremont vice captain Jack Lewsey - who has also rotated through half back - as well as the return of a fully fit and healthy Tom Hobbs has given them an engine room to fear.
They did an absolute number on Wonthaggi in round one which is no mean feat when they were facing the likes of league superstar Ryan Sparkes and co.
Drouin's own recruitment in that area has also proven shrewd, with ex-Norwood hard nut Mitch Cotter running wild against Maffra last week and the returning Eddie Morris showing every bit of his class.
Hawk Will Papley's successful comeback from injury also will make the maroon and gold midfield a tough prospect.
Papley was heavily targeted in his Drouin debut against the Gulls last year and it's tough to see him or his teammates forgetting that fact.
With neither side boasting an especially dominant forward it's likely going to come down to which team can win the ball at the source.
The key to that midfield match-up may just come down to one genuine battle - the ruck.
Warragul's Mitch Smart has made a seamless return from the injury that took him out for the entirety of last year, winning hit outs at will and providing a solid marking target around the ground.
Drouin's Tom Johnstone, who himself plays a bit undersized for a ruckman, will be out to quell his influence, no doubt hoping to use his ability at ground level to do so.
Up forward Kye Quirk looms as the most likely for the Hawks off a four-goal effort against Maffra.
The Gulls, playing without either their 2022 or 2023 leading goalkickers, have had to find their goals through a spread of players.
In a way it's made them more unpredictable. Can anyone say they thought Warragul would have more points for than Leongatha after two rounds?
Young key forward Tom Stern has thrived with more responsibility on his shoulders and will be a player Drouin would like to stop.
Regardless of what happens in the game, one thing is guaranteed - there's going to plenty of feeling here.
Big bumps, bruising tackles and plenty of talk will be abound. For some rivalries it's a cliché to say something as simple as "they don't like each other" but it applies here.
But for this Western Derby there's something we haven't seen in some time. Stakes.
For too long these two clubs have struggled to make an impact in the league as a whole and they both know it.
And with both clubs seemingly on an upwards trend this is as good a chance as any to build a platform for the rest of the year.
Both teams want to make a jump from the bottom echelon of the table. Both want to strive for more. Both want more positives out of a season than "at least we beat Warragul/Drouin."
Well that can start here.
In what might be the most meaningful Western Derby in some time, sparks are sure to fly. Seven of the past 10 derbies have been decided by 19 points or fewer so a close encounter is on the cards.
It might just be a good time to get down to Western Park.