If a Brent Crisp masterclass wasn't bad enough, the Tuggeranong Bushrangers were left licking wounds to key players that could take weeks to heal.
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They were completely outclassed by the Crisp-led West Belconnen Warriors in a 46-10 rout at Holt on Sunday.
But far worse than that, they finished the Canberra Raiders Cup game with just 12 players, having lost their entire bench to injury and also had recruit Dan Kilian sent off for striking in the 66th minute.
Kilian had just put a big hit on, which led to a melee and the big prop to be sent from the field.
Bushrangers coach Jarrad Teka will be sweating on Kilian's tribunal visit this week as well as what happens in the injury ward.
His gun hooker Josh Mitchell had a suspected broken eye socket, fullback Robert Sheffield went off with a cracked sternum, Jayden Thomas a possible torn pectoral and five-eighth Wezley Alexander was knocked out.
"It was just one of those days. You have those games and we had a shocker today," Teka said.
"Right from the start a complete shocker. That's been teetering for a while - taking shortcuts at training.
"I think it was about time someone put us to the sword like that. As long as we respond to it ... all key injuries too."
The Warriors didn't escape scot free either, with Luke Ashlin losing two teeth and Timothy Middleton hurting his arm.
West Belconnen didn't get off to a good start, with the Bushrangers getting out to a 10-0 lead through tries to former Canberra Raider Jarrad Kennedy and winger Jayden Pollard.
Pollard's try came off a Crisp intercept pass and while it had the visitors leading early it also seemed to spark the Warriors five-eighth into life.
He took advantage of the tricky wind with some massive torpedo bombs and was on song from the kicking tee as well - nailing seven from eight.
"He put his mark on the game. He's a quality player and I just wanted to see him carry the football," Warriors coach Adam Peters said.
"We wanted to go over to his edge and his second half was outstanding. And his goal kicking was spot on."
After falling behind, the Warriors ran in eight unanswered tries with Crisp scoring two and playing a hand in a few others.
Winger Andrew McDonald also bagged a brace, including a long-range intercept from Alexander's pass that got the home side started.
Beau McFarlane, Mitchell Shaw, John Veloudos and Brandon Withers all got on the scoresheet as well.
The win has caused a logjam at the top of the ladder, with Tuggeranong holding on to their one-point lead from the Goulburn Bulldogs, who are level with the Queanbeyan Blues and Woden Valley Rams on 14 points.
The Warriors are fifth on 12, while the sixth-placed Queanbeyan Kangaroos are still in the hunt just one point further back.
Peters felt his squad had clicked and was hopeful the win would be a springboard for a push into the top four.
"We need to keep playing right now. We've got the Blues next week and they were probably the only team to get to us," he said.
"I thought every game that we played and lost this year we probably could've won, but the Blues ... absolutely gave it to us in the second half.
"They were good. We need to be good against them."
AT A GLANCE
West Belconnen Warriors 46 (Brent Crisp 2, Andrew McDonald 2, Beau McFarlane, Mitchell Shaw, John Veloudos, Brandon Withers tries; Crisp 7 goals) bt Tuggeranong Bushrangers 10 (Jarrad Kennedy, Jayden Pollard tries; Josh Mitchell goal).