The Pigeons kicked four goals to nil in the first term to set up the 7.13 (55) to 5.9 (39) win at Lavington Sportsground on Saturday.

“I thought our desperation early was great and our first quarter was good,” coach Damian Sexton said.

Lavington coach Simon Curtis was the best player on the ground, clocking up an incredible 38 possessions.

The visitors’ Ryan Bruce was next best with 26.

“They got the jump on us with the breeze as well,” Curtis said.

It will be intriguing to see if the Panthers’ mentor claims the most votes for the Morris Medal.

He’s ineligible though, given he was suspended for a week.

The former Ainslie star has only missed being named in the best in one match, in round two against Wangaratta.

If the midfielder-cum-defender does claim the most votes, it will revive memories of current team-mate Nick Holman’s effort in 2015, where he too was ineligible due to suspension.

Holman also featured against the Pigeons, but even he couldn’t stop the visitors’ start.

Jayden Gallagher landed the first goal after five minutes and when influential ruckman Lach Howe was pushed, he added another.

Lavington’s Jack Kirley missed an ideal opportunity to respond and the Pigeons made him pay when Tyler Bonat crashed the ball forward for Brad O’Connor.

Xavier Leslie completed the scoring when Jono Spina was caught in possession.

Lavington kicked three goals in four minutes to reduce the deficit to a kick at half-time and when Andrew Dess conjured some magic near the boundary line midway through the third, scores were tied.

But a strong punch by Howe in the ruck and a clever finish by Harry Wheeler handed the visitors a nine-point break.

And good work by Howe midway through the final stanza allowed Brandon Symes to seal the win.

Howe was terrific, while Matt Casey, in the unfamiliar position of defence, Bruce, Wheeler and Brady Pritchard were excellent.

Jess Koopman left the ground with an ankle complaint, while Lavington’s Nick Meredith battled bravely after injuring his right ankle early in the second term.