Holbrook take the bragging rights over Culcairn with a 118-point victory

Luke Gestier kicked 11 goals as the Brookers overwhelmed their neighbours by 118 points, winning by 23.20 (158) to 6.4 (40).

In front of a healthy crowd, Holbrook's inaccuracy was the only thing coach Matt Sharp could fault.

"It was complete, just a real good four-quarter team effort," he said.

"The negative was our goal kicking, finishing that final piece of the puzzle but in terms of a team performance, it was complete.

"We've been challenged a few times and we're starting to be hunted, where we've been known as the hunters previously, so the mindset's a bit different.

"Our training, since the Osborne game, has definitely gone up a notch or two. They're the benchmark and we want to be the Osborne of the Hume league."

Gestier, back after missing three weeks with a hamstring complaint, soon found his range and had kicked three goals by quarter time.

Culcairn spent long spells in their defensive half with the lively Ewan Mackinlay and Coby Ross epitomising the running power of the visitors.

Leading by 24 points at the first change, Holbrook were wasteful in the second period but still managed to nearly double their advantage by half-time.

John Mitchell, the four-time Albury premiership player, marked his Brookers debut with a goal, before Gestier really put his foot down in the third.

He booted eight majors and simply didn't look like missing, the confidence oozing through his veins as Culcairn's punishment mounted.

A goal for the returning Adam Prior was scant consolation as the Lions managed just 1.2 to 9.3 in a lop-sided quarter.

Holbrook lost ruckman Logan Hamilton to a dislocated shoulder in the final stanza, while Culcairn's Luke Knight also hobbled off with what looked like a calf injury.

Mackinlay chipped in with three goals to finish with four, while there was a mass celebration when Sam Joyce marked his senior debut with an assured set shot from just inside 50 to rubber-stamp the Brookers' perfect day.

"We were beaten by a much classier side," Culcairn coach Craig Bosley admitted.

"They ran the ball well, they marked the ball brilliantly and we didn't have the answers.

"The effort's there but the execution isn't at the moment. The skills aren't quite there and they know that. I don't think any of them go out half-arsed.

"They showed some good passages of play but not enough of it.

"There's plenty of room for improvement. They've got two weeks before their next game so we'll continue to work on things."

With a general bye to come next weekend, the Brookers look in excellent shape but Sharp knows they can't ease off.

"In terms of guys having 2020 off, I'd expect the likes of Brock-Burrum and Howlong to get that match fitness now," he said.

"They're definitely going to come and hunt us so we'll just take it week by week."

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