by Nicholas Duck
The good times are truly rolling at Garfield after the Stars captured their second win in as many weeks, this time over 2024 finalist Kilcunda Bass.
If last week's victory over Dalyston was a breakthrough then this one was a revelation, the Stars winning every quarter on their way to an electric 11.5 (71) to 5.8 (38) triumph.
In what was one of the club's finest wins in years, they played the breezy conditions to perfection, making the most of their opportunities up forward and locking down the Panthers in equal measure.
Lachlan Sauze was at his commanding best for the Stars, putting the Panthers through their paces off half back and winning numerous one on ones to keep the ball going Garfield's way.
Jack Tenace-Greenall put in some colossal efforts on the inside as the returning Will Cole, returning to the side for the first time since round one, was key in keeping the Panthers to just five goals.
Young Jed Pinkerton was at his explosive best around half forward, setting up multiple goals as Cooper Reilly and Zac Soutar put in some of their best games of the season.
While the Stars were up and about the Panthers by comparison were fairly flat.
Despite looking strong at the beginning of the game it slowly became clear that last year's bolters were off the boil, clearly missing the influence of superstars Dale Gawley and Travis Tuck.
While they threatened at times to reel the Stars in, things just never really came together.
Midfielders Bradley Aldwell and Nathan Foote flew the flag to be the Panthers' best but simply needed more help from more of their teammates.
Foote especially threatened to get off the chain before he was clamped down a tad in the second half.
Dylan Susic, Trent Cartmel and Lochlan Scott did what they could on a difficult day for the visitors.
Garfield's pressure throughout the match was overwhelming, forcing the Panthers into numerous turnovers as they struggled to work their way through the home side's defence as well as the blustery wind that swept across the Garfield Recreation Reserve.
The Stars also were able to take advantage of the opposition's defensive errors as they spread the ball well, giving their forwards some clean looks inside 50.
Having knocked off Dalyston the week prior there was an air of confidence to the Stars that hadn't been there in prior weeks.
Pinkerton got the home side off the mark partway through the first after marking a quick kick forward and although the Panthers responded soon after, goals to spearhead Mitch Johnson – who ended the day with three majors to lead all comers – and Matt Rennie gave the Stars just their second quarter time lead of the season.
An early goal from Kilcunda Bass had the second quarter turning into a dogfight, though late goals to former Stars coach Lachlan Schreurs and Johnson from marks inside 50 turned the tide again towards Garfield.
If that didn't have the home fans happy, the events directly after half time certainly would have.
Jake Van Den Berghe extended the Stars' advantage before coach Eddie Morris got in on the action to push his team's lead to 27 points.
In general the play opened up in the second half with both teams adjusting to the conditions.
Having kicked just two goals to that point, the Panthers finally managed to find some potency up forward with two of the last three goals of the quarter.
Leading by 23 points heading into the final term, the Stars weren't going to be denied.
Rennie doubled up with a wonderful set shot goal after a free kick in the ruck before Tenace-Greenall marked and goaled, once again putting the margin beyond 30 points and the result beyond doubt.
The win is arguably Garfield's best in a long time. They've scrounged wins here and there over the past few seasons but always against teams in a similar position to them on the ladder.
While the Panthers were depleted, it's a great scalp and likely the upset of the year to date. Speaking post-game Morris was delighted with his team's efforts defensively, calling it a "really pleasing" result.
"Our pressure was unbelievable, we managed to force them into errors or down the line and when we had the ball we spread it really well, we looked really dangerous," he said.
"These last two weeks we've had five to eight players playing really well instead of one to two and our role players have really stepped up. It's all about confidence for these young guys and they're starting to play some really good footy."