A bigger and stronger Mid Gippsland ran away with the curtain-raiser at Morwell’s Ronald Reserve on Saturday, winning 12.14 (86) to 7.4 (46).

The scoreboard read 5.9 to 5.0 midway through the third quarter, but the hosts booted the next three goals and four of six after the last break.

Captain Justin Fedley won the best-afield medal for Warrnambool and District. Mason Lardner was Mid Gippsland’s best.

“Especially the first half, I thought our attack on the ball and tackling pressure was fantastic,” Ross said.

“To maintain that for four quarters was always going to be hard and they were quite a strong-bodied side.

“They came hard at the ball. At some stage something was going to give.

“I was proud of the boys.   As bottom-age boys they played some good footy. 

“Probably the size of their guys overpowered us in the end.”

Ross praised the efforts of Fedley, who was prolific throughout. 

Ben Rantall, Isaiah McLeod, Laughlin Cowell and Zac Sandow were the other leading WDFNL contributors.

Josh Bell and Jake Butler were the leading goalkickers with two each. 

McLeod, Nathan Wallace and Charlie McDonald also hit the scoreboard.

“Up until halfway through the third quarter, I thought we were right in the game,” Ross said.

“We just relaxed in the second half of that third quarter, they got a couple of cheap goals and that’s what set up their win.

“The sting came out of it in the last quarter. 

“I was asking the guys for one last effort but there wasn’t much left in the tank.”

Ross encouraged the players to put their hands up for interleague next year. 

He noted only a handful were top-age under 18s, raising the possibility of player continuity.

“It’s all about participation. I was really pleased with the effort they put in as a team, they gelled pretty well,” he said.

“Most of all, I want them to take away they should have the confidence they can play at a higher level.”