The home side went into the clash wary of the Bulldogs, who have been pushing the Mininera’s top teams this season and it was a fairly even first quarter as players worked to gain ascendancy.

Rovers’ coach Joe Carmody led from the front from the opening bounce, with Tim Glasson (four goals) proving a reliable target inside-50.

For Moyston/Willaura, co-captain Matt Peel continued his month of form to lift his team to an early lead of 11 points at quarter time.

The arm wrestle continued in the second quarter, with both sides kicking two goals apiece to see the Pumas maintain their buffer at the main break.

The third term was where the match opened up, as Moyston/Willaura returned to the field fired up and booted six goals to two, in an emphatic display of pressure which the Bulldogs were unable to match.

The solid work began in the Pumas’ backline through Rhys Cronin and Jackson Karslake, while Shane Gannon’s run again proved critical through the middle of the ground, which saw the reigning premiers extend their lead to 42 points at three-quarter-time.

Despite the best efforts of the Bulldogs’ defenders, who were under constant fire in the second half, the Pumas kicked five unanswered goals in the fourth term to blow the final margin out even further — 17.13 (115) to 6.6 (42).

Four of SM&W Rovers back six — Brad Scott, Ben Nankervis, Daniel Mengler and Nic Byrne, — were named in the side’s top performers, along with onballer Jonathon Box.

Tatyoon has slipped to second on the ladder after Lismore/Derrinallum put an end to the Hawks’ nine match winning streak.

The first half of the top-of-the-table clash was an entertaining battle, with the Demons holding an 11-point break at halftime.

Tatyoon veterans Sean McDougall, Richard Tucker and Tim McDougall were winning their fair share of the ball out of the centre, while Tyler Cronin  had managed three first half goals to keep the visitors in the contest.

To the surprise of spectators Tatyoon fell away rapidly after the main break, with Lismore/Derrinallum piling on eight goals to three in the second half of the match to run out 50-point winners — 15.16 (106) to 8.8 (56).

Demons’ sharp shooter Wayne Loader booted nine majors to overtake Tatyoon’s Steven Butler (two) on the league’s leading goal kicker table. 

Great Western has chalked up its third win of the season in the Mininera and District Football League, holding off Wickliffe/Lake Bolac in a thriller by two points.

The Lions went into the clash missing several key players through injury, but welcomed the inclusion of Stawell Warriors onballer Scott Driscoll and defender Liam Scott.

Driscoll brought with him plenty of experience and skill and Scott took some strong grabs in both defence and attack, kicking a vital goal late in the game that helped seal the victory.

Loins’ coach Andrew Bach also praised the workrate of three young rising stars in Gordon Croft, Angus Murray and Jayden McCartney, who played their roles to perfection.

Croft kicked the winning goal late in the match from the boundary line, capping off what had been an excellent debut.

“All three young players acquitted themselves well against the bigger bodies,” Bach said.

“I was pleased with the way they all played their roles. Their progression showed there is a good future for this club.”

Bach said having Driscoll’s run off half back made a big difference. His experience in getting to the ball and delivering with pin-point accuracy set up numerous forward attacks.

Great Western didn’t always make the most of those opportunities going forward and allowed a two goal lead at halftime to slip and suddenly, at three quarter time, the Lions found themselves down by 11 points in front of a stunned home crowd.

However, with Liam Scott moving forward and providing a tall option, Driscoll still providing drive and Aaron Williams, Ben Newson, Luke Notting and Cody Virgona sending the ball forward, the Lions found all the answers to sneak home for a thrilling victory.

“We still went off our structures a bit and didn’t use the space, but I’m hoping the players took notice of how Scott Driscoll in particular played and that we learn something from it,” Bach said.

“Just his experience in reading the play, it showed what is required. I’m hoping our players will have learnt from having that experience around them.

“There are still a few areas we need to work on and that includes playing our roles and playing to our structures. When we did create space and play to our structures, we controlled the game. It’s just those patches where we get lost that cost us.”

The Ararat Eagles tough season continued, with the home side going down to Penshurst in another crushing blow.

The Bombers had 12 goal-kickers — including seven to William McGregor — as they ran away with the 28.22 (190) to 3.3 (21) rout.

Laurie Moyle kicked two goals for the Eagles and Nathan Wemyss one, while Mark Coole was named the team’s top performer.