The Magpies put together four even quarters against Moe and once again, there were good signs of better things to come.

Up forward, Matt Ferguson and Mitch Davis kicked three goals each, while Josh Woods, who is developing into a handy goal kicker, chipped in with two.

In the midfield, Tom Hams and Luke Collins had plenty of the ball and their good ball use set-up chances for their teammates, who were quick to make position. Justin McLay is also in great form and his ball use with hand and foot is first class.

Shane Fyfe, Brendan Brew and Ryan Pendlebury led a very tight defence, hitting targets when turning defence into attack. Barry Parsons is another defender making good use of possessions, and both John Gooch and Davis did a lot of heavy work in the packs.

Moe midfielder Tom Long usually plays well against Sale, and once again he worked hard to get the Moe boys running and creating teamwork. Other good players for the Lions were defender Ben Morrow, and Nick and Lloyd Williams.

Sale's five wins have been a good build up for a tough month coming up, which starts at Bairnsdale on Saturday night followed by the big match against Maffra at home. Sale will then host Warragul before the match against Morwell, who is currently undefeated.

The Magpies still have several good players on the sidelines, including rover Kane Martin, who was in great touch before injuring a hamstring against Wonthaggi.

Eagles push premiers

MAFFRA gave premier Morwell a big fright, going down by 14 points on Saturday.

Following a slow start, the Eagles’ accuracy in front of goal helped it to lead after the second and third quarters before the home side lifted to win 9.14 (68) to 8.6 (54).

Darren Sheen extended his lead on top of the league goal kicking list, booting six majors. In a tough day for attacking football, the Eagles only had three goal kickers.

Sheen was the Eagles’ best player, while James Read and Sam Tudor were strong in defence.

Jackson Scott and Ben Coleman, who was back in the side after missing the previous week, also worked hard in the midfield with Owen Booth taking the challenge up to the Tigers in the ruck.

After conceding four goals to one in the first term, the Eagles turned a 20-point quarter-time deficit into a four-point lead at half-time.

The visitors booted five goals to one in the second quarter.

The goals dried up in the third quarter, with both teams kicking just one goal each as the Eagles heading into the final term leading by two points with a genuine chance of ending the Tigers’ unbeaten start to the season.

The Tigers had the better of the final term, kicking three goals to one.

Lachlan Little and Jack Weston held firm in defence for Morwell.

Maroons improving

TRARALGON put in its best performance of the season, defeating Bairnsdale 12.9 (81) to 4.10 (34) at home.

The Maroons edged the Redlegs over the first three quarters before finishing off with five unanswered goals in the final term.

Forward Adrian Slottje was the Maroons’ best, while Lee Stockdale booted three goals. Sam Pickett kicked three goals for the Redlegs.

Parrots prevail

LEONGATHA produced its first win of the season, thumping Warragul by 95 points.

The Gulls were kept goalless in the first and third quarters as the Parrots won 18.15 (123) to 5.8 (38).

Tom Marriott set-up plenty of moves off half-back for the Parrots, with Brent Lynch and Nick Nagel booted four goals each.

Power thumps Hawks

DROUIN only managed one goal and was no match for Wonthaggi, which won by 199 points.

Earl Shaw kicked nine goals and Troy Krause five in the Power’s 31.21 (207) to 1.2 (8) victory. All the Hawks points came in the second half.

Jack Blair was the Power’s best player.