by Nicholas Duck
A perfect 10-goal performance from Bill De Araugo has seen Warragul's fourths go two from two in 2025 following a commanding 64-point win over Morwell.
De Araugo was simply unstoppable throughout the game, booting two thirds of his side's score singlehandedly as the Gulls prevailed 15.7 (97) to 5.3 (33).
It was a second half blitz from the home side, who led by just 12 points at half time before breaking away to boot 10 goals to two past the main break.
The Tigers defenders especially had no answers for De Araugo, who now leads the league's goalkicking with 13 after two rounds.
Nash Olsson, Bailey Sheehan, Jordy Winduss, Nate Young and Dean Brown were the other Gulls players who starred.
Drouin's fourths suffered a second consecutive loss in a dour battle with Bairnsdale.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides but in the end it was the Redlegs were able to make their opportunities count, downing the Hawks 7.15 (57) to 4.11 (35).
The Hawks were left to rue their wastefulness early as despite a dominant first term, they were only able to put 2.6 on the scoreboard and leave the door wide open for Bairnsdale's resurgence.
While the Redlegs had their own issues in front of goal, by the time they reached the fourth term three points in front and with the breeze at their backs they charged ahead, kicking 3.7 to one goal in the last.
Best on for Drouin were Bodhi Pitt, Jett Proctor, Rory Vanderplight, Archer Hawke, Ethan Hair and Blake Alie.
In other fourths results Maffra downed Wonthaggi 13.5 (83) to 4.1 (25), Sale defeated Leongatha 9.12 (66) to 7.5 (47) and Traralgon thrashed Moe 18.11 (119) to 3.3 (21).
A fourth quarter fade-out condemned Drouin's thirds to a 37-point loss to Bairnsdale.
The Hawks led for the entirety of the first three quarters before conceding eight goals to one in the last, capitulating to a 9.7 (61) to 15.8 (98) defeat.
With the senior side requiring a number of under 18s players to fill the gaps it's left their thirds side needing some under 16s and the effect can be apparent as it was here with the Hawks simply running out of puff.
The other issue that Drouin couldn't solve was Redleg Kael Frith, whose Herculean 11-goal performance was vital to Bairnsdale's fortunes.
Drouin's better contributors on the day were Jaxon Huston, Jesse Etchell, Cooper Amey, Brody Rogers, Thomas Mapleson and Charlie Stone.
The premiership defence is off to the perfect start for Warragul's thirds as they eviscerated Morwell to the tune of 122 points.
After unfurling their new flag the Gulls set about celebrating it in style, piling on the pain for the Tigers to win 19.17 (131) to 1.3 (9).
Six goals to Rory Nettle was the exceptional performance for the Gulls as they encountered few issues past half time, kicking 14.10 to just one behind after the main break.
Outside of Nettle their top performers were Caleb McIntosh, Samuel Grummisch, Levi Moore, Xavier Olsson and William MacLean.
Elsewhere in the thirds Maffra obliterated Wonthaggi 20.16 (136) to 0.1 (1), Leongatha took care of Sale 11.11 (77) to 1.6 (12) and Traralgon overcame Moe 7.5 (47) to 6.6 (42).
Wins have been hard to come by in recent years for Warragul's reserves as Saturday provided some sweet relief with a 25-point triumph over Mowell.
Fuelled by the return of some senior regulars who were making way for the club's VFL reinforcements, the Gulls led by just two points at three quarter time before kicking four unanswered goals, the final score 9.8 (62) to 5.7 (37).
Just to show how hard scoring has been for the Gulls, this was the first time the club's reserves side has kicked nine goals in a match since round seven, 2022.
Isaac Kittelty, Jake Hughes, Michael Lynn, James Davidson, Vincent Kuol (three goals) and Scott Kelly all put their hands up for a senior gig next round.
Drouin's reserves found things much more challenging as they were destroyed by Bairnsdale.
The Hawks were held goalless past half time, struggling their way to a 3.4 (22) to 23.7 (145) defeat.
Club president Luke Gilbert (two goals), Jackson Bennett, David Wheeler, Joel Cooke and Kyle Baker were among their better players on the day.
In other reserves results Maffra swept aside Wonthaggi 8.7 (55) to 0.1 (1), Leongatha thumped Sale 16.13 (109) to 0.1 (1) and Traralgon beat Moe 15.15 (105) to 6.3 (39).