Border Mail | THE inclusion of Nathan McKendrick and Ryan Lempa did little help Barnawartha on Saturday.
Barnawartha were crushed by 106 points by defending premier Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
The Hawks were at their devastating best as they blew the game apart in the second quarter on the back of outstanding performances from Jason Bartel, Luke Norton-Smith and Guy Telford.
Co-coach Callum Turner said he was surprised by the margin.
"We had a ripping day," Turner said.
"It was very unexpected because Barnawartha is a good side and it's always a tough game there.
"We played well though and it was good to get the points."
McKendrick has returned to the Tigers from Melbourne while Lempa played a one-off while back from Cairns.
Barnawartha failed to kick a goal in the second and final quarters, with Shane Laracy, Thomas Anson and Josh Spence lacking the support to mount a serious challenge.
Beechworth caused the upset of the round when it edged out Wahgunyah by four points.
With the Lions missing Luke Ednie and Nic O'Bryan, the visitors seized on the opportunity with Ed Cartledge, Matt Hunt and Mathew Ferguson in the thick of the action.
Dean Skinner and Cody Milne played well for Wahgunyah.
Tallangatta underscored its improvement by defeating Rutherglen by 46 points.
Tim Brook, Ben Heinrich and Tom Russell were in the thick of the action for Tallangatta.
Sam Bowers and Jake Turton battled on for Rutherglen.
