After a tight first half Newborough broke away from Trafalgar to win 18.12 (120) to 12.6 (78) in round 10 of Mid Gippsland football.
Newborough had more possessions in the first quarter and kicked two goals five behinds before Trafalgar managed its first goal.
From there it was goal-for-goal and Newborough finished with a 10-point lead at quarter-time and a five-point lead at half-time.
Newborough hit its straps in the third quarter, kicking six consecutive goals to take a 32-point lead into three-quarter-time.
Bulldogs coach Allan Chandler said it was a good feeling to slip into second position after playing so well together.
Trafalgar coach Chris Kyriacou said he believed Newborough was the best team in the league and the Bloods needed to emulate its style of team football.
Hill End v Yinnar
Yinnar pulled away from Hill End to win 11.9 (75) to 8.4 (52).
Hill End’s efforts fell short, despite its accuracy at goal improving dramatically; this was the first time the Hillmen had kicked more goals than behinds since round six.
Yinnar led for most of the match, but the margin was less than two goals at each break, with Yinnar finally kicking away in the last quarter.
Morwell East v Mirboo North
Mirboo North made light work of Morwell East, winning 19.14 (128) to 4.6 (30).
The Tigers blew Morwell East out of the water from the first quarter, booting 4.4 (28), while holding the Hawks scoreless.
Morwell East fought back in the second quarter kicking one goal, while keeping Mirboo North to four for the term.
However, the Hawks could not stem the flow of goals in the second half.
The Tigers’ strong forward line and fast-paced midfield produced a variety of goal kickers which Morwell East could not contain.
Mirboo North looks set to dominate the second half of the season after a strong performance in the first.
Yarragon v Thorpdale
Thorpdale held off Yarragon in a tight match to win 12.11 (83) to 11.8 (74).
The Blues could not make the most of their opportunities in the first quarter and despite holding much of the possession, could only manage a 10-point lead at the first break.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides for the remainder of the game.
Yarragon threatened to overpower Thorpdale for small periods of the game but it could not overtake them.
Blues assistant coach Ben Carboni said the side would have had the game won in the third quarter if not for inaccuracy at goal and lapses in concentration.
Boolarra v Yallourn-Yallourn North
Boolarra’s four quarter effort put away YYN by its biggest winning margin against the Bombers, 14.18 (102) to 4.7 (31).
Boolarra’s 71-point win broke a 2002 margin record of 66 points and could have been greater if not for its inaccurate attempts at goal.
The Demons had a strong showing in the first half to get out to a seven-goal lead at half-time.
YYN could not make a big enough dent in the scoreboard and was overpowered by Boolarra.
