Another week, another thriller for Morwell in the Gippsland League. Meanwhile, the flag favourites found a bigger challenge than they expected against a team struggling with their form.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Maffra vs Morwell
Morwell were finally able to reverse their curse in close games as they claimed a three-point thriller over Maffra on Saturday.
After three straight weeks of being on the wrong side of games decided by 12 points or less, the Tigers were able to hold their nerve this time around, kicking four goals to one past half time to prevail 7.8 (50) to 7.5 (47).
Things didn't look like going that way for a while anyway. After feeling each other out early, four consecutive Maffra goals across the first and second quarters had the home team 17 points to the good and looking the superior side.
Not a team to take that lying down, the Tigers found their bite after the main break to take the lead.
An early goal in the final term to Boyd Bailey gave them a buffer, before Archer Watt responded in turn halfway through the quarter. That ended up being the final goal of the day as Morwell held on late for a valuable four points.
They'd be very happy to have not given this one away given their dominance in most of the major statistics. Inside 50s (46-30), contested possessions (140-154) and clearances (48-21) were all heavily weighted towards the Tigers, making it a little odd that it was just a three-point game.
Aidan Quigley starred for the Tigers, along with Boyd Bailey, Isaac Abas, Sam Walsh, Brandon McDonald (three goals) and Burkeley Macfarlane.
The win sees them move back into the top five courtesy of Bairnsdale's loss and could be considered a bit of karmic justice after falling agnonisingly short for so many weeks. After all, they were probably owed one.
Maffra lost the day but certainly not any admirers. Barring their non-showing against Moe they've been more than handful for teams and are on the up.
There was still reason to celebrate with club favourite son Winston Gieschen breaking the Maffra all-time games record in the Eagles' reserves win. That's 285 games of quality footy for anyone keeping track at home.
Their best in the seniors were Danny Butcher, James Read, Thomas Scott, Jack McQuillen, Archer Watt and Jonathan Boyd.
Moe vs Sale
Moe were able to shake off a surprisingly stiff resistance from Sale to register their fourth consecutive win by 34 points.
If the Lions expected to just walk through the struggling Magpies they ended up with a bit of a shock after the Magpies were able to keep pace with them for the entire first half.
Past that point however and coach Leigh Poholke's message must have gotten through, the Lions – and star goalkicker Ben Crocker - too strong in the second half as they won out 15.14 (104) to 10.10 (70).
Crocker thumped through another eight goals for the day, putting him at 35 majors from six games and sitting pretty 17 goals ahead in the league tally.
Recruit Alex Djikstra was outstanding for the Lions, helping them to their eight-goal-to-three second half and showing he truly belongs at the level after years of toiling for Bunyip in the West Gippsland league.
Fellow recruit Nathan Scagliarini also was excellent, as were Scott van Dyk, Trent Baldi, Jacob Balfour and Thomas Murphy.
Sale, who to this point have endured a disappointing year on the field, were far from a pushover as they fought hard to keep in touch at half time, led mostly by their star names.
Running out games has been a real issue for them this year though, and that weakness combined with the general gulf in class between the teams overall led to them falling away as the game wore on.
At one and five their finals hopes would appear all but dashed, but if they can put in more performances like Saturday's they might still give some teams a good shake.
Will Leslie, Jack McLaren, Jack Leslie, Shannen Lange, Jarrod Freeman and Archer Gerrand led the way for them.
Wonthaggi vs Bairnsdale
Wonthaggi ensured Bairnsdale's long trip home would feel that much longer after dismantling them by 44 points.
The Power were pushed at times by a tricky opposition though proved far too strong past half time, keeping the Redlegs to just one second half goal en route to a 13.9 (87) to 6.7 (43) victory.
They won the day in plenty of style too, wearing a special heritage guernsey to mark 20 years of playing as the Power.
Superstar Ryan Sparkes genuinely lived up to the moniker in a phenomenal individual performance, racking up 38 disposals as he booted five goals.
It keeps the Power in second spot as they hunt for a top three finish.
Kaj Patterson, Harry Dawson, Jarryd Blair, Ethan Dickison and Jasper Shone were their other players to feature in the best.
Having now won five straight games, Wonthaggi's next three matches – against Traralgon, Leongatha and Moe – are going to be the real litmus test.
Bairnsdale's better players included Will Mitchell, Ricky Tatnell, Hugh Longbottom, Joshua Lando, Ethan East and Cooper Harvey.
They'll look to keep in touch with the top five as they face up with Sale this week.