Warragul succumbs to reigning premiers
Warragul have suffered their second 97-point defeat in as many weeks after being outplayed by Leongatha.
Similar to last week's match against Moe, a bright start gave way to a big loss as the Gulls couldn't keep up with the might of the reigning premiers, going down 6.6 (42) to 21.13 (139).
Big Parrot Jack Ginnane enjoyed a day out at Western Park as he kicked 11 majors, equalling the most goals ever kicked against Warragul by a Leongatha player.
But it was a complete team effort from the men in green and gold, who showed exactly why they're a side that has now won 31 games straight. Leongatha for years now have been a well-drilled unit from the top down, with a winning culture that has long been the envy of every side.
They each know their roles and play them effectively, as was the case here.
The Parrots did take a quarter to work their way into the contest, however, courtesy of some great play from the Gulls in the first term.
Warragul, thanks in large part to some excellent ruck work from Sam Whibley, were getting plenty of the ball through the middle.
A couple of early goals to young gun Liam Serong, as well as singles to James Davidson and Whibley, had them out to an early 10-point lead. It could have been more if not for some narrowly missed shots.
But, as everyone knows by now, Leongatha is not a team to simply lie down.
The experienced Parrots contingent, led by the likes of Aaron Heppell and Luke Bowman, as well as the up-and-coming Mitchell Bentvelzen, took over.
They worked their way back into the match to essentially even things up at quarter time, and from there didn't look back. A five goal burst in the second, all while keeping the Gulls scoreless, put the game well and truly in their hands.
Warragul's effort couldn't be questioned, but once again their execution just wasn't quite at the level it needed to be. And against a team like Leongatha, your execution has to be at the highest level possible.
The Gulls were able to stem the tide a little in the third. But with Ginnane clunking everything that came his way by the time the fourth quarter hit the floodgates opened.
Eight final quarter goals to the Parrots sealed Warragul's fate, leaving them to lick their wounds after another big loss.
It's been a brutal two-week period for the Gulls. They've had to play what currently look to be the two frontrunners for the flag and been found wanting in both tests.
Coach Jed Lamb will have been left with much to ponder so early in the year. Like last season, when the Gulls get their pressure game going they've been able to keep themselves in the contest.
But when that slips, their skill execution, particularly by foot, has left them having to defend more often than they would like.
Liam Serong's return did give them a bit more of a target in what is admittedly a small forward line, but when the Gulls have periods in games where the ball is rarely inside 50 there's not a lot their forwards can do.
They'll take heart out of those early periods in these matches where they've been able to match the best, but they have to work on being able to do it for longer.
Their match against Morwell next week, who have begun their year with some indifferent form, will be an opportunity to get things back on track.
For Leongatha, a grand final rematch awaits next week against Sale. The Magpies found their first win over the weekend, so it will be nothing if not an interesting watch.