Tigers send Power spiralling
Saturday's Gippsland League games told us a lot more about where some teams stand, including a contender whose season is now in serious danger of ending before it's even begun.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Wonthaggi vs Morwell
Morwell have kickstarted their season - and put Wonthaggi's into freefall – with a hard fought 12-point win at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers and Power were locked in a tight tussle for much of the day before the yellow and black broke away late with three goals to one in the final term to secure a much needed 9.8 (62) to 7.8 (50) win.
Trailing by just three points at the final change of ends, the Tigers' poor fadeout against Bairnsdale last week would have been at the forefront of their minds.
But fears of a repeat this week were put to bed quickly when Morwell's best player for the day Brandon Mcauliffe won a free straight from the centre bounce, his kick finding a mark and goal from Cohen Campbell to regain the lead.
Those fears were even more arrested when Brandon McDonald got on the end of a rushed kick inside 50 a minute later, kicking truly to extend the lead.
Morwell continued to generate chances, but looked as if they might be pipped when Cooper McInnes ran in his fourth goal for Wonthaggi to reduce their lead.
Up stepped Jackson Burr, the Tiger marking a long ball across goal and slotting his second to secure a famous Morwell win.
It's a desperately needed result for the Tigers, whose hopes of a return to finals was in plenty of danger following two straight losses to start the year.
Along with Mcauliffe, Morwell were well served by Aidan Quigley, Archie Grant and Sam Walsh.
Wonthaggi, meanwhile are in real trouble now. The sides they've fielded have been very different to the one that made last year's grand final, but regardless they would have hoped to have knocked off teams like Warragul and Morwell.
Next week's trip to Sale just got that much bigger.
Fergus O'Connor, Joshua Schulz, Ethan Dickison and Joshua Bates were their best.
Moe vs Sale
Moe bounced back from last week's disappointing defeat to easily account for Sale.
The Lions left their run too late against Traralgon last week but encountered no such issues against the Magpies, restricting them to just one first half goal as they ran away 14.10 (94) to 8.12 (60) winners.
Moe's leg speed held them in good stead for most of the match, allowing them to often run the visitors off their feet while locking them down defensively.
The Magpies couldn't break through at times, and though they found the going easier in the second half by then the damage had been done on the scoreboard.
Harry Pepper (five goals, four in the first half) reminded the league of just how dangerous he can be as he nailed goals from seemingly every angle. Pepper likely could have had more if not for being managed late.
Jacob Wood was his usual courageous self while getting on the end of a few, kicking four goals to be Moe's best, as Ben Daniher, Riley Baldi and Harrison Sim were all excellent.
The Lions simply controlled the flow for most of the game before putting the cue in the rack late, reducing what could have been a thrashing win into a comfortable one.
Sale clearly missed the influence of Will Leslie who was an out, though recruit Derek Eggmolesse-Smith's performance was a shining light. The former Richmond half-back utilised his lethal kicking skills to play his best game yet in Magpies colours.
Patrick Tainsh, Bohdi Walker and Jonty McGuinness were all solid for Sale in a day where they were well beaten.
Maffra vs Leongatha
Leongatha enjoyed a chance to flex their muscles, showing little mercy as they demolished Maffra.
What was the most entertaining rivalry in the league just a few years ago now has the two teams at complete opposite ends of their development, something reflected in the lopsided 16.16 (102) to 1.4 (10) Parrots victory.
Comprehensive was the only word for it as Leongatha didn't concede a goal until late in the piece, well after the result was settled.
For the Parrots Tom Marriott was at his brutal best as Jake van der Pligt put in yet another excellent performance while Tallin Brill (six goals) enjoyed the chance to fill his boots with his best return since round nine last year.
Maffra's rebuild was always going to have its pains and while some of their younger players showed good signs, it's going to be a long road back to the feared side they once were.
The Eagles' best were Thomas Scott, Jett Killoran, Henry Anderson and Danny Butcher.
Traralgon and Bairnsdale had the bye.