Blood shed with Poowong upset
POOWONG scored the upset of the season to date, accounting for second-placed Trafalgar in a low scoring affair to climb into the top five for the first time this season.
Trailing by one-point at the final change, the Magpies booted two goals to one in the final term to hold on by just three-points in a tense finish, 6-8 (44) to 5-11 (41).
Missed opportunities hurt the Bloods, who finished with a final quarter return of 1-5.
The match had been tight throughout, the Magpies booting the only goal of the second term to lead by that kick after scores had been locked at 2-1 apiece at quarter time.
Two goals to one in the third term saw Trafalgar edge ahead, before the Magpies turned the tables.
Jack Hazendonk booted three goals in a best afield effort with Conor Cunningham, William Lumby, Andrew Logan and Patrick Harmes also among the better players for the visitor.
Mitch Virtue, Darcy Brock, Jace Butler, Dylan Farrell, Tristan Marslen and Blake Radford led the way in Trafalgar's effort to get across the line.
The result now brings Trafalgar back to the pack, with just four points and percentage separating the Bloods from sixthplaced Longwarry, as the race to secure the double chance tightens.
Remaining matches went as anticipated as Neerim-Neerim South and Buln Buln consolidated with big wins over struggling opposition.
The Lyrebirds were particularly ruthless, conceding just one behind against a Nilma-Darnum side that had generated some good scoring opportunities in wintry conditions the week prior.
Buln Buln controlled the contest from the outset, booting seven goals in the first term and carried that on, adding six, seven and eight to finish with 28-17 (185).
Samuel Batson, Hayden Baker, Trent Baker, Lachlan Axford, Cameron McPhan and Jake Pierrehumbert led the way in the big win.
The better players for Nilma-Darnum were Sebastian Crowle, Nathan Campbell, Nick Carrigy, Jeremy Jarred, Kenneth Towt and Blake Roberts.
Neerim-Neerim South remain undefeated after easily accounting for Catani, 28-22 (190) to 2-3 (15).
Lachlan Bambridge and Chris Urie proved difficult to contain, booting 12 goals between them, as the Cats kicked away to a big score.
The Cats kept its opposition to just one behind to the final change, the Blues scoring consolation goals in the final quarter.
Nathan Bayne, Isaac Fuller, Bambridge, Matthew Edwards, Ben Fitzpatrick and Kody Wilson were the better players for the Cats.
Catani were best served by Riley McDonald, James Williams, Brett Williams, Nicholas Cullen, Casey Hamilton and Jack Hobson.