For reigning premier Strathfieldsaye Storm, and more importantly their nine rivals trying to reel them in, Sunday’s victory over an Eaglehawk team that is expected to challenge for the top three was huge.

The Storm only had 10 players from last year’s premiership team on the park, key recruit David Gallagher and classy forward Tom Bartholomew were late omissions because of injury, they played three first gamers and lost star forward Stephen Milne to an ankle injury before half-time.

Despite all the absentees the under-strength Storm had few issues in dismantling the Hawks 16.16 (112) to 11.7 (73).

The margin was as much as 56 points in the third quarter and in the end the 39 points flattered the Borough.

For Storm coach Darryl Wilson the victory was as good as any home and away win he’d been involved in with the club.

“It was a gutsy performance. We had six changes from last week’s win (over Sandhurst) and we brought in three first-gamers,’’ Wilson said.

“We had a lot of players out today and I rate Eaglehawk very highly, so to win like that was very pleasing.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, we turned the ball over way too many times, but overall there were some good signs today.”

Milne’s ankle injury was not serious, but Wilson said the former St Kilda star was unlikely to play in next Saturday’s top-of-the table clash against Golden Square.

He’ll join Matt Johnston, Lachlan Sharp, Tom Bartholomew, David Gallagher, Ash Trollop, Nick Smith, Vinnie Flood, Kellan Smith, Ben Lester, Luke Marchesi and Steven Baker in a crowded Storm medical room.

Wilson said full-forward Sam Mildren is a strong chance to play his first game of the season against Square.

The most pleasing sign for the Storm was that in the absence of key personnel the club’s young players grabbed their opportunity with both hands.

First gamer Jake Moorhead showed plenty and kicked three goals, Harry Conway has the potential to be a star of the future, Josh Martyn kicked three goals in his second senior game for the club and Tyler Romeril and Corey Daniels didn’t look out of place in their first senior games.

“Before the game we made a big thing of trusting the young players that were coming into the team today and making sure they trusted themselves that they were good enough to play at the level,’’ Wilson said.

“It worked out well and we executed what we wanted to do pretty well.”

Eaglehawk coach Luke Monaghan was full of praise for the reigning premier.

“To have the senior players out that they did and have the young guys come in and play the way they did, just shows how good Strathfieldsaye is,’’ Monaghan said.

“We didn’t turn up today. All week we were looking forward to the challenge, but we just didn’t play with the intensity you need against a quality side like Strathfieldsaye.

“It was an eye-opener for us.”

Brodie Filo aside, the Hawks struggled for four-quarter performers.

They turned the ball over through the middle too frequently and Sean Williams was their only forward who looked like troubling the Storm defence.

In contrast, the Storm had plenty of contributors.

None were better than Matt Smith. On a day when turnovers dominated the stats, Smith's class through the middle and across half-back stood out.

Shannon Geary won plenty of the hard ball for the Storm, while recruits Matt Ferguson and Kane Airdrie showed they're going to be quality players this season.

Ferguson kicked three goals and had a hand in a number of others, while key defender Airdrie shut down Eaglehawk star Matt Gretgrix.

The week ahead is all about recovery for the Storm and Hawks.

The Strathfieldsaye ground was very firm and both clubs have a short break ahead of crucial games against Golden Square and Kyneton.