The Bulldogs, who were missing Kade and Aydan Brown, Mark Bush, Luke Donnan and Daniel Kannenberg, were blown away early to slip to a 1-3 win-loss ratio a month into the season.

This weekend’s break has come at the perfect time for the club with most of its injured and unavailable players to return against Yackandandah on May 10.

Key forward James Gray was at his destructive best for Mitta United with eight goals while David Paton provided support in the air with five.

“James has been really good,” victorious coach Clinton Gilson.

“He’s got himself really fit and dropped five or six kilograms.

“It was a good win.

“Thurgoona were undermanned but our application and effort was good and that’s all you can ask for.”

Mitta United set the tone for the match with 12 scoring shots to three in the opening term with Aiden Adams, Tyson Gorupic, Danny Stewart and Nathan Reynoldson unstoppable around the packs.

The pain continued for the Blues with another seven goals to three in the second quarter as the young Thurgoona line-up struggled to get its hands on the ball.

When the visitors did go forward Tom Turner repelled many attacking moves with help from ruckman Paul Giltrap.

Thurgoona’s Jake Way and John Willis battled hard against the odds.

Kiewa-Sandy Creek proved a class above Yackandandah, winning by 88 points.

The Hawks were unstoppable with their run and carry with experienced forwards Leigh Cameron and Guy Telford the main recipients with eight and six goals.

Dane and Tim Hallinan, Adam Telford and Tory Ziems also played well.

Yackandandah big-man James Davies tried hard with support from Ash Sibraa and Kyle Roberts.

Barnawartha remains undefeated after disposing of Rutherglen by 40 points.

The Cats were competitive for three quarters, but dropped off late as recruits Mitchell Exton and Paul Harrington finished full of running.

Rutherglen was best served by Martin Brennan and Seamus Bromley.