The second week of the Gippsland League's split round saw two premiership contenders see off their challengers – though one had a much more difficult time than the other.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
By Nicholas Duck
Moe vs Morwell
Moe managed to see off a stern challenge from their local rivals in Morwell before kicking away late.
Missing the likes of James Harmes, Ben Crocker, Scott van Dyk and Brock Smith, the Lions had a real scrap on their hands up to three quarter time, where they led by just 15 points.
The afterburners got a real workout in the last, however, as the premiership hopefuls slammed home six goals to one late to record a 16.11 (107) to 9.8 (62) victory – their sixth of the year.
It was a new-look Morwell side, now coached by Aidan Quigley and Harmit Singh after Shaun Mooney stepped down just five games into the role.
Though already a Morwell legend, Baw Baw locals would remember Singh for his recent stint at the head of Warragul Industrials, where he led them to successive finals appearances.
And early indications are the Tigers will be a thorny side for teams to come after a strong fight, in which they kept the Lions within arm's reach until running out of petrol tickets late.
They also were forced to do it a man down when Burkeley Macfarlane copped a monster bump to the head from Lion Thomas Long, who may be in for a nervous wait to see if he'll miss weeks.
Play was stopped as Macfarlane was stretchered off and the Tigers were handed a free kick and 50, which they goaled from.
Myles Poholke booted another six goals for Moe, who enjoyed a stellar performance from backman Declan Keilty, as well as Chris Prowse, Blake Mullane, Nathan Scagliarini and Max Woodall.
Morwell were best served by former Redleg Lachie Cloak, Hugh Dunbar, Blake Couling, Zac Cheffers, Aidan Quigley and Zachary Anderson.
Leongatha vs Sale
Leongatha handed Sale their biggest hiding yet this season, smashing the hapless Magpies to the tune of 190 points.
The reigning premiers versus the league's cellar dwellers was always going to go one way.
And so it proved, the Parrots hardly challenged as they prevailed 32.21 (213) to 3.5 (23). Jenson Garnham enjoyed a day and a half, booting 11 goals while veteran champion Tom Marriott had the ball on a string.
Benjamin Harding, Finn Donohue, Beau Grabham Andrews and Jack Sheridan were other Parrots to stand out on a day where you could pick more than a few for the best.
Thomas Glenn, Archer Gerrand, Thomas Wrigglesworth, Josh Butcher, Mason Annear and Cooper Rand kept up the effort for Sale.
Bairnsdale vs Drouin
by Nicholas Duck
Drouin's longest road trip of the year would have felt that much longer on the way home after the Hawks let slip a golden opportunity against Bairnsdale to go down by two points.
A topsy turvy kind of afternoon out east saw the goals – and turnovers – flowing with neither team able to turn their momentum into a match-winning lead.
Having had multiple chances to put the game to rest, Drouin were instead forced to leave empty handed, the Redlegs too good 15.12 (102) to 14.16 (100).
Both teams will feel they missed out on a few more goals but in a game that came down to who could take their chances, Bairnsdale just barely rose above.
Leading the way for Drouin was midfielder Brodie Atkins. Last year's Morrish Medallist was at his supreme best against the Redlegs, crashing and bashing all game for 30 disposals, 10 clearances and seven tackles.
Recruit Lane Ward did similarly through the middle (36 disposals) as Noah Lafrantz (five goals) kept up his excellent form up forward. Lafrantz has now kicked eight goals across his past two games.
Zayne Atkins' distribution off half back hit the mark more often than not, as did Tommy Trists's, while Kyron Smith did a solid job on Redleg Jonah Walker down back.
For the home side it was forward Oscar Morrison proving to be the difference, the Redlegs recruit kicking five goals and always being a massive threat.
Jonah Walker booted three goals as Lachlan Byrne-Jones (42 disposals) created havoc around half forward and further afield as Cooper Harvey, Max Neate and Damon O'Connor were all excellent.
Despite conceding the first goal of the day, the Hawks made the early go of it through consecutive majors to Seb Amoroso, Lafrantz and Rylie Baker.
The pressure was up and the Hawks' ball movement slick, but just when they seemed to be getting a run, the Redlegs slammed home three straight in as many minutes.
With the back-and-forth nature of the day established, both teams took turns looking like they were on the verge of pulling away.
Late in the half two Hawks goals to Baker and Jack Walsh – who booted three in across the first two quarters – had Drouin ahead at the major break.
Straight back into play it was the home side who began to take toll, however, the Redlegs putting through the first five of the second half.
A crafty crumbing goal to Lafrantz brought that to an end as the Hawks trailed by two straight kicks heading into the final term.
Lafrantz wasn't done there, bending one beautifully early in the last before Amoroso tied things up not long after.
Bairnsdale responded through Tyran Rees, but Lafrantz snapped yet another to give Drouin the lead.
With the game up for grabs the Hawks created more chances but couldn't make them count as Bairnsdale debutant Oscar Baylis stood tall, clunking a mark and kicking truly. The Redlegs peppered their own opportunities to win the game before that man again, Lafrantz curled a beauty to give the Hawks the faintest of late hopes.
In what can only be described as bizarre scenes, the siren prematurely went off at the centre ball-up only for the umpire to go at it again, the real buzzer going off 10 seconds later to signal a thrilling Redlegs win.
Drouin coach Jordan Kingi described the loss as a real disappointment.
"It would have been a nice game to watch, plenty of scoring and shots on goal. From a coaching perspective we didn't make the most of our chances, which is disappointing," he said.
"Yes we want to work on our defence, but we feel like we left 50 points off the board to be honest ... it feels like, no disrespect to Bairnsdale, we let that one slip big time."
Drouin returns home this Saturday to face Morwell.
