by Nicholas Duck
Warragul have claimed two wins in a row for the first time in almost seven years following a comprehensive 59-point win over top five team Wonthaggi on Saturday.
The Gulls kicked the first four goals en route to the 14.15 (99) to 5.10 (40) victory, evening their win-loss ledger in the process.
While some skill errors and lapses in judgment kept the door slightly ajar throughout the middle two quarters, the Power never looked a likely challenger as the home side ran riot late to push the final margin out to almost 10 goals.
It's the first time since July 2018 the Gulls have won consecutive games, putting an end to something of a real hoodoo for the club.
Sean Masterson was at his intercepting best, hardly putting a foot wrong as he shut the Power down again and again, whether through one of his 15 mark or a well-timed spoil.
Tom Hobbs backed up his excellent showing last week with another bullocking performance through the middle and up forward, gathering 44 disposals (13 clearances) and two goals. Hobbs wasn't afraid to get in the faces of some of the Power's more vaunted stars, giving plenty of lip along the way.
Riley Senini found plenty of space to do some damaging work and ruck Sam Whibley (38 hit outs) won his duels around the ground to the point he essentially had his own cheer squad in the crowd.
Forwards Tom Stern and Jordan Stewart rounded out the best, the former putting plenty of finesse on some spearing passes inside 50 and the latter crashing and bashing his way to four goals.
Wonthaggi were best served by the likes of Kyle Yann and Noah Anderson, who tried to give them some spark around the ground in an otherwise fairly listless team performance.
Hunter Tiziani fought hard, as did backman Ethan Dickison, while star on-baller Ryan Sparkes and Brodie Mabila were commendable.
Injuries and absences have hit the Power hard in recent weeks. Joshua Schulz, Jakeb Thomas, Harry Dawson, Fergus O'Connor and Isaac Chugg are just some of the regular names missing from their line-up on Saturday.
That helps to explain and justify sizeable losses to top teams Leongatha and Moe. Not so much a side lower down the ladder like Warragul.
From the first 15 minutes you would have thought it was the Gulls nestled inside the top five as they hit the scoreboard hard.
Goals to Jordan Stewart, James Harrison and a quickfire double from Tom Hobbs gave them the ascendancy early, looking dominant around the ball.
Despite that, some loose accountability for their opponents gave the Power chances. However, it was only Kaj Patterson who could translate that into a score.
Much of the second term had both teams ruing some sloppy kicking inside 50.
Gull Isaac Wallace was handed a yellow card at the 17-minute mark after an elbow to the stomach dropped Ryan Sparkes, leaving Warragul a man down for the rest of the half.
Patterson took advantage by kicking his second, though after another 10 minutes of stalemate the Gulls made their move.
Jordan Stewart had a minute to remember, driving home a tough set shot near the boundary before marking and goaling straight from the resulting centre clearance.
It was then Power defender Kyle Reid's turn to be sent off, losing his cool close to half time when he was caught holding the ball.
With Reid swinging a hand at Tom Stern twice, it was another yellow card and another Warragul goal from the 50-metre penalty.
In the third quarter the Power did just what their opposition did the quarter prior – winning the term while a man down.
The Gulls, looking shaky and making some poor decisions with the ball, led by 30 points at the final break as Wonthaggi eyed off a potential comeback.
The door was slammed shut on that, however, when Wallace kicked a quickfire goal from a holding the ball free kick.
Further goals to Stewart and Kai MacLean ensued, and it was officially party time – something the very vocal Warragul crowd didn't mind.
Warragul coach Jed Lamb said it was "a great win for us."
"It's week to week for us since the competition's so even and the ladder's so even at the moment. Every week's a final for us and we're enjoying it, we're embracing it," he said.
"There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to be in the mix. We're going to leave no stone unturned and give our all and see what happens. The group's showing real maturity, they're coming in leaps and bounds."
Wonthaggi will now lick their wounds as they prepare to host Maffra next week. Lose that and their finals spot could even be in trouble.
Warragul's next three matches - Morwell (away), Sale (home) and Bairnsdale (away) - may very well determine the rest of their season. Based on the last couple of weeks, they'll give it a red hot crack.