In round 14, most of the title contenders walked away with victories that could be pivotal in the race for the highest seeding.
With a finals appearance all but out of the question, Leitchville-Gunbower got a reward for effort with a win against cellar-dweller Heathcote.
Hosting the Saints at Gunbower Recreation Reserve, the Bombers got off to a blistering start, scoring 16 times in the first quarter.
While Heathcote was consistent, with 11 goals in each of the first two quarters, L-G took over in the second period, drilling 18 to take a 12-goal advantage at the major break.
An 18-goal burst from the Saints after half-time brought the cellar-dwellers within touching distance of a second win of the season.
While it was a quieter passage of play for the Bombers, they still made a good account of themselves with 14 goals, the difference now eight with a pivotal final bout looming.
A 14-goal effort down the stretch, along with some solid defence, meant that L-G shot away to a 12-goal victory, marking its third of the season.
The final score was 62-50.
The victory gives the Bombers a sniff at a finals chance, but they would have to beat LBU, Elmore and North Bendigo the rest of the way to have a hope.
Regardless, L-G will roll into round 15 to play a long-awaited rematch against its arch-rivals, the Cats, at Lockington Recreation Reserve.
Colbinabbin v Elmore
Colbinabbin maintained its chokehold on the top of the table and its perfect record with a thumping victory over the Bloods at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
In what has become pretty standard for the title-favourite Grasshoppers, the girls in green thumped the host across four quarters.
The final score was 70-23.
The 47-point victory is further evidence that Colbo is the team to beat this season, with no-one able to stop it yet.
Meanwhile, Elmore is still hanging on to a finals placing over North Bendigo, sitting two wins clear in fifth.
Speaking of North Bendigo, its road to the finals is about to get more difficult, as it is the next opponent of the Grasshoppers, while Elmore should score a win over Heathcote in round 15.
Mt Pleasant v North Bendigo
In a season that is looking increasingly like Colbinabbin against one of Mt Pleasant or White Hills, the Mighty Mounts scored a solid victory over North Bendigo.
Playing at North Bendigo Oval Court One, Mt Pleasant (18) doubled the Bulldogs’ score (9) in the first quarter before pulling away in the middle two periods.
The Mighty Mounts were then on cruise control in the fourth, where North Bendigo mounted a small fightback.
However, it wasn’t to be, with the gap too large to close and Mt Pleasant cruising to a 12-goal victory.
The final score was 52-40.
In what could be an illuminating round 15 contest, the second-ranked Mounts will face third-ranked White Hills in a potential preliminary final preview.
White Hills v Huntly
The Demons put one over the fourth-placed Hawks, with their round 14 contest highlighting the gap between the two in the finals race.
Played at White Hills Recreation Reserve, the Hawks couldn’t quite cut the mustard against a Demons side determined to capture the flag.
The final score was 59-32.
The Hawks will have the bye in round 15 before rejoining the competition in round 16 to play a fellow finals contender in Mt Pleasant.
