A slow start and some poor conversion cost Warragul big time as they were unable to overcome Bairnsdale away from home.
The Gulls conceded the opening five goals during their 6.14 (50) to 10.14 (75) defeat.
Having adjusted to the conditions and beginning to generate some potency up forward, they were able to draw within 13 points early in the last quarter before the Redlegs steadied to keep themselves in the finals hunt.
In the end, each side scored five goals after quarter time to make Warragul's poor first term all the more costly.

Adding to their woes was a season-ending shoulder injury to coach Jed Lamb,