Collingullie-Glenfield Park proved they will again be a premiership contender with an impressive 40-point victory over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Saturday.
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Demons' forwards Marc Geppert and John Buchanan put on a clinic in attack as the reigning premiers proved too good for the Lions, 15.12 (102) to 9.8 (62) at Crossroads Oval.
The Demons have endured a stop-start opening to their season, which began with a heavy loss to Griffith, then a comfortable win over Leeton-Whitton, leaving their standing in the competition up in the air early.
But the real Collingullie-GP turned up on Saturday, putting the in-form Lions to the sword to show they will again be a force in the competition.
Six unanswered goals either side of half-time broke GGGM, as the margin got out to 55 points at three-quarter-time.
While the Demons' midfield got on top, it was Geppert (six goals) and Buchanan (five goals) that did most damage, working brilliantly together in attack.
Sidelined Collingullie-GP coach Luke Gestier was happy with his team's performance.
"It was a good four-quarter effort I thought," Gestier said.
"The boys turned up to play and we had a lot of contributors, which was good.
"We started to move the footy how we want to move it, our spread was good and we just opened them right up and didn't give them a chance. We went coast-to-coast on occasions and gave them no chance at all, which was good."
He had no hesitation of labelling it their benchmark effort early in the season.
"For sure. Griffith was patchy, obviously our first game. Leeton was Leeton, we were patchy again," he said.
"That was fantastic today, which was good."
Gestier was also pleased with the way the Demons' forward-line functioned with Geppert and Buchanan combining for 11 goals for the second consecutive week.
"It's good, there is plenty of space and blokes are knowing their role," he said.
"Obviously Johnny and Gep are still kicking their goals and stuff but a lot of other guys are chipping in with twos and threes."
Buchanan and Geppert were the Demons best. Geppert had five goals to half-time, while Buchanan kicked four goals in an electric third term.
Ed Perryman and Dusty Rogers were also strong contributors for Collingullie-GP.
Young ruckman Will DeJong also performed admirably when thrown up against Jacob Olsson in the ruck.
Olsson was dominant early and one of the Lions' best, along with talented teenager Matt Hamblin, who was lively every time he touched the ball.
The Lions' injury toll grew again with Jethro Peck (concussion) and Tom Sase (shoulder) both going down.
Collingullie-GP defender Matt Hobbs was yellow carded and reported for his sling tackle on Peck early in the second quarter, that certainly drew the ire of the Lions' bench.
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