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It was an important clash for both sides, seventh versus eighth going into the game and some breathing room inside the top eight on the line.

The Emus held their nerve, 45-28 winners.

Coach Lauren Williams told The Courier defensively her side was strong.

"Defensively we did really well across the board. All the girls put in 110 per cent defensively for the whole game," she said.

"Our two defenders absolutely smashed it with intercepts and blocking their goalers from doing their job.

"They actually held our team together and really made that lead for us happen."

Rokewood-Corindhap kept its top four hopes alive with a 16-goal win over Beaufort.

The 48-32 win helps the Grasshoppers stay even on points with fourth placed Springbank, who had the bye.

Bungaree claimed its second win of the season, seven goals the better of Carngham-Linton.

The 46-39 win means the Demons could climb as high as 12th next weekend if results fall their way.

Buninyong continued its stellar defensive season with a 67-14 win over Clunes.

It's the eighth time the Bombers have kept a team under 20 goals for the season.

Dunnstown climbed back into the top eight with a 47-29 win over Creswick.

The Towners jumped two spots into eighth, a game clear of the chasing pack outside the eight.

Gordon won it's second game in a row, 37 goals the better of Ballan.

The 57-20 win means the Eagles now sit just one game outside the top eight, with a winnable game against Clunes coming up next weekend.

Learmonth rebounded from a loss to Springbank last weekend to beat Newlyn 82-23.

The Lakies remain a game clear inside the top four.

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