Saturday wasn't a matter of winning for Garfield. It was a matter of survival.
In a result that wouldn't have surprised many the Stars were totally outgunned at home by reigning premiers Nar Nar Goon, eventually succumbing by 111 points.
A defensively minded first half performance didn't have them in a position to challenge but did have them in a decent spot for damage control before the floodgates opened in the second half.
The Goon piled on the pain in a way only they can, turning an already one-sided game into a one-way rout, the final score Garfield 3.5 (23) to Nar Nar Goon 20.14 (134).
There were some positives to take out of the day for the home side, including a decent showing in the midfield as well as the Stars' ability to limit the damage early – the Goon's half time score was their second lowest of the season.
But the gulf in class between what is now the league's bottom and top sides was always going to be too much for the green and gold to overcome.
Stars coach Eddie Morris continued his personal run of form to be his side's best for the day, running through the middle and forward.
Joshua Evans' efforts as a defensive winger didn't go unnoticed, while Lachlan Sauze kept flying the flag at half back.
Jake Van Den Berghe impacted several aerial contests in a role that saw him further up the field than normal and Lachlan Schreurs went alright at half forward.
Unsurprisingly the Goon had many more winners for the day across the field.
Tex Marsham led the way for the visitors, taking several strong contested marks and kicking four goals.
Jeconiah Peni played well on Stars spearhead Mitch Johnson, limiting him to two goals from not many opportunities.
Ryan Bromley, Flynn Parker, Jed Smith (also with four goals) and Nicholas Hillard were their other top performers.
From the first bounce it was clear it was going to be a long day for Garfield as Nar Nar Goon controlled territory and, for the most part, the scoreboard.
Some inaccuracy from the visitors left them a little shorter than they might have wanted and the Stars' determination to shut down their usual freewheeling offence helped to limit the damage, despite the Goon's strangehold on the game.
Nar Nar Goon continued to work their way through Garfield in the second, eventually having the first seven goals of the day before Jed Pinkerton was able to finally get his side on the board.
Having limited the Goon's scoring in the first half some tired legs on the Stars' side allowed the reigning premiers to really get going.
Marsham and Smith were the main orchestrators, assisted ably by Dermott Yawney and Jacob Keysers, who both kicked three goals each.
By the time the final quarter rolled around it was just about getting to the final siren unharmed.
They managed it, Johnson kicking both of their second half goals in a big loss.
Morris said there were "a few positives" out of the day.
"From our point of view we just needed to be competitive and we were at times, they're just way too classy for us," he said.
"Their midfield didn't destroy us which was pleasing."
Morris also highlighted the debuts of Ding Dieng – who took out the league under 18s best and fairest last season – and Jake King as further bright spots on an otherwise dark day.
Garfield heads to Dalyston this week in what looms as a genuine chance to chalk up their first win of the season.