THE RETURN from injury of star full-forward Josh Mellington wasn’t enough for Bears Lagoon Serpentine to overcome Pyramid Hill, losing by 40 points at home.
The Bulldogs were in front all day, and a four-goals-to-one last quarter drove home their advantage.
Mellington was held to just three goals after overcoming an abductor strain, his lowest tally in two seasons in the Loddon Valley league.
Pyramid Hill led by 15 points at quarter-time and had only pushed out that margin to 20 points at the final change, but 4.4 to 1.2 in the last term saw the visitors win comfortably.
The Bears, who finished fourth last season, are languishing in sixth spot on the ladder after one win in their first three matches, while the Bulldogs are now second behind unbeaten Marong.
Best for Pyramid Hill included midfielder Brodie Carroll, and talls Archie Hilderbrandt and Lachlan Sidebottom, along with defenders Dylan Morison and Daniel Frame, who helped keep Mellington quiet.
Ben Bisset’s three goals were enough to see him third in the goalkicking table.
For the Bears, Harry Gadsden was best, with ruckman Nathan Twigg and last season’s Harding medallist Justin Laird also in good form. Serp’s difficult start to the season doesn’t get any easier in round five, with a visit to all-conquering Marong in prospect. Pyramid Hill is at home to third-placed Bridgewater in what shapes as a key clash.