Warragul’s Aaron Rhodes was among his team’s best in Sunday’s big win over Leongatha.LAST season’s wooden spooner, Warragul, showed that it is likely to be the big improver this year after crushing Leongatha by 123 points.
The architect of the Gulls’ victory was 17yearold forward Kael Bergels, who kicked five firstquarter goals in a wonderful display of football that belied his tender years.
Warragul scored eight goals for the quarter and extended its lead at every change.
After Leongatha missed a few opportunities in the opening minutes, the Gulls’ midfield, led by Desi Barr, Leigh Sheehan, Nick Edney, Brad Nott and David ScottSmith, dominated.
Bergels with six goals and Gavin Huxley with five both provided great targets all game and had allies in Bryce Monahan and Ryan Davey.
Agile ruckman Matt Gray impressed again and will be a strong candidate for the recruit of the season.
The Gulls moved the ball quickly with purpose and accuracy and looked likely to be a handful for all comers if they can reproduce the form they have displayed in the opening two rounds.
In contrast Leongatha played poorly, barely had a winner and never threatened.
Under immense pressure its defenders Paul LePage, Ben Geitz and Andrew Govers had a go all game but its midfield, with the exception of Caine Salmon and to a lesser degree Jack Hughes, was outclassed.
Morwell silenced doubters with a 162point victory over Drouin.
Yinnar recruits Sam Mills and Nathan Scurrah with five goals apiece proved a handful for the Hawk defence and Beau Sheridan in only his second game back, pitched in with five majors.
The Tigers dominated in and around the stoppages.
Rover Nick Vesty helped himself to 32 possessions and Jim Dowling, up from the under 18s, put in an assured display at centre halfback.
The Tigers did not rest on their 117point three quarter time lead and rammed home another 10 goals in the final quarter to completely demoralise the young Hawks.
For Drouin, Chris Wallace battled hard at both ends of the ground, 17yearold wingman Jason Barwick, in only his second game, showed he was a player in the making and another youngster Brett Masterson did well to quell the influence of Tiger beanpole Ben Webb.
Garfield put in a spirited performance against Maffra but went down by 73 points.
After being overrun in the midfield in the first quarter, the Stars held their own in the second before the Eagles lifted and pulled way in the second half.
Star utility Ryan Munro was outstanding and floated all over of the field to thwart attacks and continually pump the ball forward.
Key defender Brent McFarlane again gave a good account of himself, Shaun Pickering covered plenty of ground and, despite having no preseason the 2005 league best and fairest Andy Soumilas never stopped running and presenting.
Regular forward Mal McKenna was thrown into the centre and acquitted himself well.
Zeke Hower showed flair, kicked four goals and could be the focal target the Stars are looking for up forward.
Other youngsters Terry Mildren, Ben Rotheram, Stuart Edwards and Rob Lee all looked the part on the ground and will be better for the experience, as will Garfield.
For Maffra nuggety ruckrover Kallan Killoran ran in a straight line all game and won many hard balls and young forward Tommy Rawlins showed his good form of a week before was no flash in the pan, chiming in with six majors.
Another youngster John Saunders notched four goals and looks to be a good foil to support Adrian Burgiel, who also steered through four.
Plenty of pundits are willing to discard Maffra as a flag threat but they do that at their own peril.
Sale crushed Moe by 68 points.
The game was a lot closer than the lopsided scoreline suggested, especially in the first half.
The Lions fell way badly in timeon in both of the first two quarters, conceding four goals in each.
For Moe, fleetfooted wingman Matt Dickason was by far its best player, while Sale youngsters Tim Bristow on a wing and full forward Chris Aurisch, who dobbed seven goals, were a constant menace for the Lions.
