With its finals prospects on a knife-edge, the Kangaroos threw everything at the ladder leader and were on the brink of an upset as they entered time-on in the last quarter one point in front.

In the end the match went down to a defensive turnover by East Point across half back at the 25-minute mark which led to a goal by Lakers sharpshooter Andrew Pitson.

He kicked a goal to put Lake Wendouree six points in front.

East Point pressed hard in the ensuing five minutes, but the Lakers’ defence stood firm to get the points – 10.14 (74) to 9.13 (67).

While a win would have had East Point in sixth, it instead drops to eighth.

However, the Kangaroos are still in striking distance, being one game behind Darley and Melton and with a superior percentage

GOALS – Lake Wendouree: Ben Taylor 2, Andrew Pitson 2, Hayden Cartledge 1, Nicholas Peters 1, Jack Elkington 1, Eamonn McCuskey 1, Sean Willmott 1, Stephen Clifton 1. East Point: Christopher Quinlan 2, Brent Fitzpatrick 2, Jack Watkins 1, David Brady 1, Keegan Mellington 1, Bryson McDougall 1, Rhys Monument 1

BEST – Lake Wendouree: Dominic Sliwa, Luke Bucknall, Nicholas Peters, Stephen Clifton, Lane Buckwell, Hayden Cartledge. East Point: Mitchell Walsh, Paul Koderenko, Andrew Maconachie, Keegan Mellington, Joel Van Meel, Daniel Tung

BACCHUS Marsh confirmed bragging rights over cross-time rival in a one-sided 102-point hiding of the reigning premier at Darley

The Cobras hardly gave Darley a looking in as their two boom recruits of the season, Jarrah Maksymow and Damian Cupido kicked five goals apiece.

Darley was a far cry from the team which only a week earlier inflicted Lake Wendouree’s first defeat of the year.

This keeps Bacchus Marsh, which boasts the best percentage in the competition, firmly places in second position.

Darley on the other hand remains in sixth, but only now on percentage from Melton.

Final scores: Bacchus Marsh 22.15 (147) d Darley 6.9 (45)

GOALS – Bacchus Marsh: Jarrah Maksymow 5, Damian Cupido 5, Cameron Richardson 4, Matt Denham 2, Hamish Coulton 2, Tyson Shea 1, Rhys Mc Nay 1, Billy Griffiths 1, Daniel Burton 1. Darley: Dane Grenfell 2, Kevin O'Rafferty 2, Anthony Chiu 1, Jarrod Edwards 1

BEST - Bacchus Marsh: Trent Angwin, Rhys Mc Nay, Matt Denham, Jadyn Trowsdale, Tyson Shea, Logan Blundell. Darley: Steven Kennedy, Dane Grenfell, Luther Baker, Cooper Pepi, Anthony Chiu, Thomas Thacker

SUNBURY continued its topsy-turvy run with a 34-point win over Redan on MH17 memorial day at Sunbury.

It is the second time Sunbury has taken the honours over the Western Lions this season and lifts it back into third place.

Redan dropped two spots to fifth, but remains well entrenched in the top six.

TYLER MAHER reports that Sunbury’s dour defence mixed with touches of brilliance from playmakers such as Alik Magin were the keys to victory.

The win was set up through dour defence coupled with dashes of brilliance from key playmakers in the important moments.

Magin, along with Jack Landt, provided finesse and spark respectively, with the latter kicking three goals.

For Redan, Ben Schiltz and Nathan Horbury provided run and carry

Final scores: Sunbury 11.17  (83) d Redan 7.7 (49)

GOALS –Sunbury: Jack Sullivan 3, Jack Landt 3, Mathew Medcraft 2, Andrew Duhau 1, Alik Magin 1, Grant Valles 1. Redan: Dean Mathews 2, Nicholas Willox 1, Christopher Giampaolo 1, Grant Bell 1, Patrick Fitzgibbon 1, Ben Wilson 1

BEST – Sunbury: Alik Magin, Mathew Medcraft, Jack Sullivan, Reece Wood, Adam Short, Tom Donoghue. Redan: Patrick Britt, Dean Mathews, Christopher Giampaolo, Nathan Horbury, Matthew Cullinan, Nicholas Willox

BALLARAT Swans had their fourth win of the season over a determined Sebastopol at Alfredton.

There was never a lot in the game.

Sebastopol was within a goal at quarter and half-time. It took a six goal third quarter by the Swans to get what would be a winning break.

Even then the Burra bounced back in the last quarter to go down by only 22 points.

Hayden Hughes led the way in attack for the Swans with six goals, while Michael Powell was again in touch with four majors for Sebastopol.

Final scores: Ballarat 16.11 (107) d Sebastopol 13.7  (85)

GOALS – Ballarat: Hayden Hughes 6, Nicholas O'Farrell 3, Mitchell Martin 3, Zane Thompson 2, Tyler Constable 1, Shane Hutchinson 1. Sebastopol: Michael Powell 4, Chase Dummett 2, Anthony Smith 2, Toby Hutt 1, Marshall Cain 1, Tyler O'Sullivan-Kirchner 1, Ryan Noether 1, James Grills 1

BEST – Ballarat: Damien Larkin, Mitchell Bishop, Hayden Hughes, Daniel Kennedy, Zane Thompson, Nicholas O'Farrell. Sebastopol: Tyler O'Sullivan-Kirchner, Leeroy Sheridan, Jack McNab, Brett Goodes, Anthony Smith, Ben McLeod

MELTON has loomed with percentage of the top six after defeating Melton South by 63 points at Melton Recreation Reserve.

Still an outsider the make the finals, largely owing to a poor percentage, the Bloods moved ahead of East Point by a game with the success.

Melton                                  5.6,  8.9,  14.9,  20.13  (133)

Melton South                            2.1,  4.5,  7.9,  10.10  (70)

GOALS – Melton: Matthew Notman 6, Jack Walker 4, Braedan Kight 3, Dillon Sharp 2, Dyson Stevens 1, Nicholas Gale 1, Tobi Bray 1, Lachlan Sidebottom 1, Jake Gleeson 1. Melton South: Marc Dransman 3, Ryan Holzer 2, Daniel Leggett 1, Benjamin Sortino 1, Jacob Thornton Gielen 1, Anthony Hibbert 1, Billy Sullivan 1

BEST – Melton: Jack Walker, Matthew Notman, Lachlan Hickey, Jake Gleeson, Billy Crofts, Mark Maric. Melton South: Anthony Hibbert, Daniel Hillier, Billy Sullivan, Marc Dransman, Benjamin Sortino, Lachlan Watkins

LADDER

LAKE WENDOUREE 156.79  48

BACCHUS MARSH 183.61  40

SUNBURY 142.47  36

NORTH BALLARAT CITY 137.78  36

REDAN 132.41  36

DARLEY  97.43   28

Melton 95.59   28

East Point 105.67  24

Ballarat  68.01   20

Sebastopol 53.29   12

Melton South 39.83   4