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QUEENSCLIFF has dismissed yet another challenger, comfortably disposing of Drysdale by 45 points at home on Saturday.
The game looked over in the first quarter as Queenscliff's Nik Orvis asserted his dominance early.
His work in the ruck, plus his strong marking and positioning around the ground, made his game valuable in coach Tom Limb's eyes.
"I gave him our best on (ground) today, he's a fantastic player and he's really important for us," Limb said.
"He gives us first use when he's jumping up at the footy, but not just at the stoppages. He's really good around the ground and takes some strong grabs."
With Orvis putting it on a platter the Coutas controlled the game early and only accurate kicking made the scoreboard somewhat bearable for Drysdale.
It was the first game in which Queenscliff's back six, particularly key defenders Steve Owen, Jake Hedley, Darcy Diment and Cormac Cashin, have played together.
This almost impenetrable force will be its key finals asset.
"We finally got our back six together and they're like their own team within a team," Limb said.
Queenscliff also has Daniel Measures, who in previous years has provided run and dominated the competition off the half-back flank, but he looks to be moving wherever he pleases this year.
His fitness levels would be high as he has played most games in Geelong's VFL side this year, so Queenscliff have utilised him in the midfield and even up forward.
Unsung team players such as Ben Price and Aaron Jones - players who don't receive enough plaudits - also will be valuable in finals.
Both are premiership players and play an integral role in Queenscliff's forward line structure, which allows players such as Daniel Degois to make their mark on the contest.
"We rate these players internally, they probably don't get the hype that Frenchy (Degois) and Jayden (Durran) and that do, but they play just as important a role," Limb said.
From the outset of the game there looked to be a disparity in class between Queenscliff and Drysdale, with the Coutas so strong they can play stars like Ed Grout, Roscoe Holmes and Cameron Burnside in the reserves.
The reserves match was called off following an injury to a Queenscliff player that prompted an ambulance to take to the field.
