The Roosters topped 100 points the third time in as many outings, but it was their defensive presence across the ground that will make teams sit up and take notice after they restricted the Bloods to just two goals in the first three quarters at Friendly Societies Park.

A fourth-quarter surge saw the visitors pile on five goals to two to cut the final margin in the 15.14 (104) to 7.8 (50) result, but the contest had already well and truly been put to rest by that point.

The Bloods went over two quarters without a goal and did not score at all in the third term as the Roosters trapped the ball in their attacking end and repeatedly cut off Terang Mortlake’s rare forays forward.

South Warrnambool coach Mathew Buck said an all-in approach to defence has been a focus of the club.

“We do a lot of work around a team-defence type (of) structure; it means everybody has to play their role really well and, at this stage, everyone is really doing that,” he said.

“We’re playing the way we want to play. We’re pretty hard at the football – we like to think – and our contested game is strong.”

James Hussey was a standout, but the load at South Warrnambool is not being shouldered solely by its recruits and returnees.

Harry Lee, Manny Sandow and Nick Thompson were among the Roosters’ best, while Paddy Anderson and Jock Blair chimed in with two goals apiece.

“To be honest, those big names are going okay at the moment, but there’s been real improvement in the group that’s been here for a long time,” Buck said.

“Your Ben Thorntons and Jock Blairs and Paddy Andersons have started the season really well, and Manny Sandow in the ruck.

“The great players we’ve got in have been great, but everyone is improving and I think that’s important.”

The Bloods were left scratching their heads at how things can turn so quickly in football.

The team that stunned North Warrnambool Eagles in round one has had successive 50-point thumpings since, and looked in dire trouble of going down by much more on Saturday before heeding coach Michael Sargeant’s three-quarter-time plea to at least win the last quarter.

There were without a full bench for a fair chunk of the game, after Brodie Carroll was taken to hospital requiring 12 stitches in his ear – though he bravely made his way back to the ground to return  to the field for the final quarter.

Ben Finnerty also made his way back after a stint on the bench with a corkie, while Sam McLean strained his hamstring.