A NINE-GOAL blitz in the second term propelled Rokewood-Corindhap to a percentage-boosting 90-point annihilation of Illabarook on Saturday.
A pulsating, toe-to-toe first term promised a gripping drama for the fans with the teams playing open and fast footy.
Ben Harris and Xavier Ryan opened the scoring for Rokewood-Corindhap, while Shannon Berriman and Stephen Frys provided plenty of drive for the Bulldogs.
An otherwise enthralling plot quickly unravelled in the second term, however, as the Grasshoppers spoiled the ending with nine goals to open up a 53-point lead at the main break.
Full forward Tom Mullane-Grant nabbed the “Gold Logie” for his 11-goal haul, including six in a runaway last term for the visitors.
Ryan and fellow big man Jono Willey dominated the ruck contests while Jesse Wellington and Heath Anderson controlled the back half.
Coach Jason Hutchins described his team’s maiden victory as a “relief, more than anything else” adding it was “good to get one on the board”.
Hutchins was also pleased with the contributions from midfielders Brodie Terry and Patty Smith (three goals) who he said “stepped up to senior footy” this week.
To their credit, the Bulldogs did not roll over as they staged a revival early in the second half with four goals to win the third term.
Tim Conder, Ash Clifton and Berriman gave the hosts some hope, battling hard in the face of significant odds.
This weekend the Grasshoppers will look to successive victories when they take on the winless Ballan, while Illabarook travels to Newlyn.
Rokewood 24.14 (158)
Illabarook 11.2 (68)