IN A stirring test of strength, Gordon toppled previously unbeaten Beaufort by 22 points and took its place at the top of the Central Highlands Football League ladder.
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A third-term fade-out by the Hyundai Eagles was forgotten as they stormed home full of running and confidence.
The Graintech Crows ran out of legs and failed to score in the final quarter after grinding out an eight-point lead at the last change.
Gordon had kept pressure on Beaufort in the first half by hard running and bone-crunching tackles, and the Eagles had a two-goal quarter-time lead which slipped to an eight-point margin at the main break.
Beaufort seized opportunities in the third and rattled the opposition with cleaner ball use and more intimidation on the field.
The momentum at the last change was Beaufort's way, but within a minute the game had swung Gordon's direction when Steven Nicholson scored a goal. A few minutes after that, Chris McGuigan slotted another and the Eagles were back in front.
There was a marked difference between the two teams in the last term, with Gordon perky and fit, but Beaufort weary and falling behind.
McGuigan had a big influence, kicking five majors, while Luke Gunnell was a warrior in the ruck and Steve Patterson, Tye Murphy and James Murphy were strong in the midfield. Down back, Jack Toohey, Gerard Clifford, Mark Gunnell and Brad Hallam were smooth operators.
For the Crows, scoring was a major problem, but Scott Howard kicked three goals. Jake Garvey was everywhere trying to inspire his teammates and some shone in response. Michael Foster, Zac Marrow and Steven Lodge joined the Crows resistance.
Gordon coach Corey Grills called the win "fantastic".
"We were up against a quality opposition. They were there every moment of the game. They pressured us...they didn't give up,” Grills said. "To come out of that with a win is a credit to the boys. They dug a bit deeper and found a way. It was fantastic. Old school football...but that's what we wanted."
Beaufort coach Dale Power was disappointed with the result after having the upper hand at the last change.
“We had the game pretty much on our terms at that stage. So it was disappointing we couldn't hold on in the last quarter. Full credit to them. They ran harder and they got the rewards. We couldn't hold them," Power said.
