by Nicholas Duck
A competitive Warragul outfit were left out in the cold by Moe on Saturday as the ladder leaders showed their class at the Ted Summerton Reserve.

Following the Lions' annual Big Freeze event, effort and intensity weren't issues for the Gulls in an encouraging performance that saw them take it right up to the Lions at various times.
Execution and talent proved to be the difference in the end, Warragul just not quite up to Moe's standards in the 12.10 (82) to 17.13 (115).
That intensity threatened to spill over on a few occasions, with more than one scuffle around the ground throughout the course of the day, at times to the Gulls' detriment.
Having booted the first three majors of the day, the visitors were ultimately left to rue a run of eight unanswered Lions goals across the first and second quarters, which turned the game on its head.
While the Lions threatened to really blow the day out and turn it into a real rout, Warragul at least held firm, keeping the margin to a respectable one by full time even without coach Jed Lamb and key forward Brayden Fowler on the field.
Sean Masterson played an excellent game in the backline matched up on Moe star forward Ben Crocker. Masterson was able to do what other defenders haven't been able to thus far and quell Crocker's influence, holding him to two goals – his lowest return since round one.
Sam Whibley stood tall in the ruck against the Prowse brothers, while Riley Senini's strong run of form continued.
Isaac Wallace was again influential around the middle and up forward Patrick Mulqueen was solid in defence and Tom Hobbs fought hard through the midfield.
It's hard to deny the breadth of Moe's talent, however. Even when they maybe weren't at their best, they were still pretty damn good.
Recruit Nathan Scagliarini's class couldn't be denied, running through the middle and up forward where he kicked three goals.
Scott van Dyk was a wall in the backline as always and Thomas Blackshaw enjoyed a great showing.
Harry Pepper was as lively as ever, Myles Poholke was again a bull around the ball and Ben Daniher put in a performance to be proud about on a day that means so much to his family.
Even with the odds against them, it was Warragul who looked the sharper side to begin the day.
Lucas Carter, redeployed up forward in Fowler's absence, made an immediate impact with a strong contested mark and goal to go with it.
Kai MacLean got the second of the day having benefited from a free kick, Caleb McIntosh doing the same not long after.
From there, however, the Lions began to wake from their slumber.
Declan Keilty was awarded a free in front of goal and from there they were off to the races, taking control on the scoreboard past the first break.
An incident occurred 10 minutes into the quarter when Gull Jordan Stewart slung Moe youngster Luke Cheffers by the jumper in a crude tackle, causing him to hit the ground with plenty of force.
Cheffers got up reasonably quickly to take his free kick and no report was made at the time, but it certainly didn't earn Stewart many friends as the Lions fired up.
Moe coach Leigh Poholke (three goals) also began causing some headaches, using every bit of his veteran sensibilities to his advantage as he hit the scoreboard.
A deft snap from returning livewire Keenan Boi would be the Gulls' only goal of the quarter.
With the Gulls still hoping to make a comeback, the home side put those hopes to bed early in the second half, with Scagliarini unloading from range twice in the span of a few minutes.
The margin blew out beyond 40 points at one stage, though goals to MacLean, Hobbs and Tom Stern kept the Lions honest.
Warragul couldn't be accused of going into their shells late, winning the last quarter with some classy finishes even when the game was beyond reach.
Moe will now turn their attention to a trip to Wonthaggi where they will face a fellow contender looking to bounce back from a tough loss.
While the day didn't belong to the Gulls, results around the league mean they're still well in contention for the top five as things stand. Every team from fifth to ninth are currently on 12 points, including Warragul, making this Sunday's battle with Drouin all the more important.
Win that and they could be in it up to their eyeballs.