Garfield were left to wonder what could have been on Saturday after putting up one hell of a fight against second-placed Tooradin-Dalmore at home.
Continual inefficiency in front of goal ultimately cruelled the Stars, who gave up a four-point lead at three quarter time to ultimately succumb 5.15 (45) to 9.9 (63).
The home side were made to pay for an especially wasteful first half in which they found just one goal and nine behinds, putting them behind the eight ball despite getting on top in several key areas.
Keeping the visitors goalless in the third quarter helped Garfield's case, but Tooradin-Dalmore showed their class when it mattered, booting four goals to one in the fourth quarter to overrun their plucky opposition.
While the loss stings, it's arguably one of their most meritorious performances of the season to date, having taken it right up to one of the premiership frontrunners.
The Stars' past four games against the Seagulls have resulted in losses of 98, 83, 58 and 115 points respectively. Not a bad bit of growth overall.
Backman Angus Emery put in one of his best efforts of the season to date, keeping the normally freewheeling Seagulls forwards accountable and giving his side a chance at an unlikely victory.
His day was unfortunately cut short with a dislocated shoulder, ending a great day on the field prematurely.
Lachlan Sauze again was a commanding presence off half back as coach Eddie Morris impressed in the middle.
Ruck Cooper Reilly and Jahmain Harrison rounded out Garfield's best.
Rory Neate and Charlie Shinners shone for the Seagulls along with ex-AFL talents Shane Savage and Adam Oxley. Savage was especially handy in the visitors' final charge in the fourth quarter, booting the goal that got them off and running.
Liam Adams and Jack Flannery similarly played strong roles in Tooradin-Dalmore's win. Overall it was a frustrating day at the office for the Stars.
The breezy conditions plaguing Garfield Recreation Reserve played havoc with their composure inside 50. As often happens, once a few players missed out, others put themselves under more pressure, only to miss more.
The first quarter summarised this perfectly. While they gave themselves many opportunities to strike a blow, Garfield just couldn't finish their good work around the ground. The only goal of the term came from Seagull Logan Downe getting out the back and running one in, the Stars stuck on 0.5.
Will Pickering finally broke the shackles early in the second courtesy of a holding free, only for the Seagulls to put through four unanswered majors, two to the reliable Andrew Dean (who ended the day with three to lead all comers).
Seventeen points adrift at the main break, the Stars turned it on late in the third, roaring to life with goals to Jake Van Den Berghe, Harrison and finally coach Eddie Morris to storm into the lead just before three quarter time.
An upset win was suddenly on the cards for the Stars, though with the breeze favouring the other end in the last, it was going to take a big effort.
Pressure and tackling were at a high for Garfield, but the dam wall eventually broke through Savage and Daniel Ahern not long after restoring the lead for the Seagulls.
A second major to Morris kept his charges in touch and Jed Pinkerton had a shot to regain the lead, only to kick it into the man on the mark.
Tooradin-Dalmore were able to rebound and finish the day with two final goals, the last to Dean to put a full stop on four more points.
Tooradin-Dalmore have benefited from Cora Lynn's loss and are now two wins clear in second, putting them in the box seat for a double chance come finals time as we turn past the halfway mark of the season.
For Garfield, it was one of their best performances in some time, barring their poor goalkicking.
A trip to Korumburra Bena this week will give them a great chance to get back on the winners' list against the league's only winless team.