The Lions managed to whittle that down to five out but importantly they did not include the likes of their newly found goal-getter in Jay Betts who, with four of the side’s seven, continues to rocket ahead as the league’s leading goal kicker.

And also the matching forward line power of another newcomer in John Greenavne together with Al McKenzie outstanding in a floating position role.

While this transient line-up hampers Toodyay’s true worth, the Lions have an extraordinary back-up in reserves, who added to their unbeaten record with 27 goals over Dally’s reserves, with a quality which a visiting neighbouring league representative described as being able to beat most in their league sides.

Whether Toodyay are to get a complete side or not, their measure must be judged on the day and on this occasion they were matched by a new force in Mortlock competition.

After near four years of being belted, Dally’s fresh arrangement is starting to gel and a “will to win” has developed as most departments start to shine.

Their switch of play, disposal and an open forward line, delivering pin-point accuracy, has started to appear and promises bigger and better things to come.

The big name inclusions of newcomers coach Wayne Otway, Nathan Anning, Geoff Rouse and Peter Goss have obviously bolstered the “new look” but has also allowed the ability of “old” stalwarts to emerge.

Scott Galbraith, hitherto in a ruck-roving role, because there was no one else available, is now able to show his 6’2” brilliance at full back together with Kirk Jolly at half back and this combination played a big part in Toodyay’s inability to register, glaringly evident in the Lions’ scoreless first quarter.

As Dally head toward a top four berth they will have to do it without the services of a prime motivator in ruck rover Peter Goss who, in the dying minutes of the game, sustained what was believed to be a hip injury and could well be out for up to eight weeks.

Umpires 1 Goomalling 0

In a game marred by about 10, 50 metre penalties, Goomalling lost to Calingiri by probably some of those punishments.

Goomalling were not the recipients of all of the infringements but in the dying stages of the game with only points the difference, frustration with decisions invited a lack of discipline among the Blues and “gimme” goals to Calingiri resulted.

A comment of “you’re doing a great job ump” from one of the Goomalling players invited one of the “gimmes”.

Following the Blues’ shock loss to lowly Wongan-Ballidu the week before, the match against Calingiri was seen by the home side to be test to the premiership holder’s viability in the competition this season after the loss of a good measure of the title holding side.

And while their first quarter drubbing of some three goals was not a good start their old-time fast running skills came through to reduce the margin and capped by a brilliant seven to four goal third quarter brought the match to an even score.

In fact it was only Calingiri’s bevy of points holding them in the game.

Going into the final term, Calingiri had 30 scoring shots for 13.17 and Goomalling 19 for 14.5 - just a kick the difference.

A goal-for-goal exchange from the bounce in the final term heralded an exciting finale but with any sort of a score at a premium, ceding a penalty full points was not the way to go for Goomalling.

Follow that quickly by another “misbehaviour” and it became obvious the Blues were losing a match by default after dragging the game back to an even contest.

Brilliant passages of play from both sides (although Calingiri’s inaccuracy stood out) with another good game from Spencer Alone and Wade Randall for the Cougars together with Ben White and a fast Cameron Smart with a big boot, for Goomalling, what should have been a great spectacle, turned out to be an anticlimactic interpretation of rules.

As Calingiri continue to cement a spot in the four, Goomalling would need to learn to accept an umpire’s ruling with grace, regardless of how frustrating that ruling may be, if they are to get back on track for a defence of their title.

Tigers tougher

Uplifted by their win against Goomalling the previous week, Wongan-Ballidu found top-of-the-ladder and last year’s grand finalist, Dowerin a tougher opposition and especially on the Tigers’ turf.

Dominating the ball out of the mid-field provided a continuous flow to Dowerin’s forward line of Dean Trewhella and Trent Pettit for five apiece and a mercurial forward pocket specialist in Dave Wilson for two and to be named best on ground.

A seven to two second period was capped by six to four in the third term to make sure of Dowerin’s eight-goal win although the Boomers’ final term showing had a great deal of heart despite having little chance of winning.

By that time they had ironed out a lot of their costly turnovers.

Most would not have picked the Boomers to worry Dowerin regardless of Wongan-Ballidu holding the Goomalling scalp but most will admit the Boomers have in their possession a greatly improved line-up with one of their supporters gratified with the result adding the comment, “we’ve received much bigger beltings over there”.

However, a “belting” is not a situation to be used to if the Boomers are to make their mark which can be proved this coming weekend against the new and improved Dalwallinu - a side, in the past, which were always worth four points.

Dowerin, on the other hand, have Calingiri to contend with to determine who will be on top of the ladder.

Chop becoming chip

Now recognised as the league’s chopping block, Wyalkatchem continue to hand out percentage boosters as they did for Gingin last weekend but this bonus may be coming to an end.

The margin of the win has become increasingly smaller from Wylie’s first outing with Calingiri which saw the Cougars in front by some 22 goals.

Gingin managed 14 despite the recognised fire power of Michael Potts (six) and his up-and-coming counterpart Matt Cameron (four).

But the secret to the lessening margin could be an improvement in Wylie’s mid-field with their Glen Leeson getting the ruck knocks and a diminutive new import rover in Nick Sinclair starting to feed an increasing number of goal-getters headed by Jason Stokes’ three and a couple with two.

Welcoming back coach Cheyne Turnour this coming weekend could see further improvement.

As the Eagles enjoyed the four points and percentage bump which should ensure their hold on fourth spot even if they fall foul of Goomalling this coming weekend but a win against the Blues is essential if they are counteract the result of the following game against Toodyay.