In a competition which has been so remarkably even in recent years, this was an emphatic statement.
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Warilla, with former Shellharbour playmaker Hans Schuster running out of the away dressing room at Ron Costello Oval, thumped the Sharks 37-12 on Sunday.
It launched the Gorillas clear at the top of the Group Seven ladder, with a breathtaking second-half display.
They led 14-12 at half-time, but controlled the contest afterwards.
The result allowed Kiama to shift into second place on for-and-again after a 28-12 victory over premiers Jamberoo, while Gerringong stayed in the hunt for a top-three spot with a 30-18 win over a spirited Berry.
Elsewhere, former NRL player Dylan Farrell scored a try in Nowra-Bomaderry’s 24-8 win over Milton-Ulladulla on Sunday.
“It was very windy,” Farrell said.
“We had the wind in the first half so we wanted to start good, just simple footy.
“We stuck to it in the first half and went away from it in the second half, but we got the points so it was sweet.”
However, Farrell lamented getting into a scrappy battle in the second half.
“We spoke about not getting caught up in the crap, which we did,” he said.
“It’s the story of our year at the moment.
“We’re a smarter team than that.”
Albion Park-Oak Flats continued their steady rise with a 60-4 victory over the hapless Stingrays, with centre Blake Jones finishing with a remarkable five-try haul.
The Eagles are now outright fifth with a crucial showdown against the Superoos on Saturday.