Rupanyup on the other side of the Wimmera produced a big six-goal second term to shake off the Rams at Natimuk and put the accelerator down with an 11-goal final term.
Jack Musgrove sparkled with a seven-goal game while Jesse Jesson shone and others such as Blake Turner, Tim Tyler and Jarryd Graham put up their hands with big games.
Harrow-Balmoral, always well in control against Pimpinio, poured on the goals every term in its game, with Will Plush leading the charge and Simon Close and James Staude bagging six goals each, Mitch Grant kicking five and Michael Close four.
Will Burbury was also prominent in the contest.
This week’s game between the Panthers and Roos is tantalising, especially for a Rupanyup side keen to re-establish itself as a prominent finalist.
There are plenty of other intriguing contests set to unfold, with none more interesting than a clash between Laharum and Noradjuha-Quantong at Laharum.
Laharum came off second-best to Edenhope-Apsley while the Bombers would have delighted in a solid win over Swifts.
Jarrod Kemp flew the flag for the Demons and Tom Crawford was good.
While Shannon Argall kicked five goals, Laharum will need to find more avenues to the sticks to worry the Bombers.
Noradjuha-Quantong, with the likes of Tom Magee, three goals, and James Gregg and Dawson Cross on song, finished more than seven goals better than Swifts and would back itself for another win this weekend.
Kalkee, meanwhile, having withstood a test of the unknown against newcomer Kaniva-Leeor United, takes on Jeparit-Rainbow in another fascinating encounter. The Kees were the first in the league to travel to Kaniva and after a gripping struggle for much of the game managed to kick away in the final term to win by 50 points.
Only three points separated the teams at the last change but Kalkee produced a seven-goal finish to stamp some authority on the season opener.
Simon Hobbs led the way alongside Jasper Gunn, Matt Nield and Deek Roberts, who will again be important, this time against the Storm.
Jeparit-Rainbow had to work hard for a 30-point victory over Taylors Lake, forward Peter Weir crucial with his five goals. Jay Kirwood, Ash Clugston and Shane Maslin were also important in claiming the win.
The clash between the Kees and Storm at Kalkee should be a beauty.
The result from Rainbow suggests a dogged contest is on the way between Taylors Lake and Natimuk United at Dock Lake Reserve.
Natimuk United failed to produce the start it wanted last week, despite the efforts of Dylan Bates, Taj Payne and Sam Anson.
The coaching brains trust would be working on ways to produce a better goal return in response to the team kicking only five six-pointers.
Taylors Lake, while obviously being annoyed with its loss, would take some confidence from the fact it was not far off the pace, although it too needs more goals.
Geoff Jolly, Koby Westerland and Joe Watkins won accolades for the Lakers, who are promising plenty.
League debutante Kaniva-Leeor United has finally had time to settle and won’t be too concerned with a first-up loss. The Cougars take on Swifts at North Park in Stawell and would be brimming with enthusiasm.
Jonty Brown, Mitch Jones and Luke Bennett topped vote cards on Saturday and fans can expect a few more to join them as the season progresses.
Swifts have been quietly preparing for the season and will want a stronger effort this week, especially at home.
Todd Matthews was a good player at the weekend, alongside Scott Carey and Nick Pickering. There is a strong suspicion the Baggies won’t take long to hit winning form.
At the other side of the league, Edenhope-Apsley might emerge as a competition wildcard and this time tackles Pimpinio at Edenhope.
The Saints did enough to comfortably hold off Laharum last week with Dylan Vanzini, Dan Kelly, Carl Slape and Damian Monaghan ticking off good starts.
Pimpinio was unfortunate to run into Harrow-Balmoral first up and copped a hiding, but it’s early days and the Tigers will be quick to dismiss the result as ancient history.
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