South Barwon (2nd, 14-4) has ended the home-and-away season with a hard-fought 10-point win over Leopold (7th, 8-10) at Leopold Memorial Park.
The Swans 12.9 (81) to 10.11 (71) victory was their first on the Lions’ home turf in Mark Neeld’s four-year tenure at the club.
Leading by 30 points at halftime, South found itself trailing midway through the final term when Leopold youngster Charlie Gardiner goaled.
A goal from captain Matt Caldow regained the lead for the visitors before Lachie Noble further extended the margin.
Caldow finished with three goals, while Noble and Todd White each contributed two.
Darby Henderson, who re-signed with the Lions during the week, kicked three goals for the Lions.
The midfielder, along with captain Mitch Burgess and the experienced Daniel Pitcher, nearly carried Leopold to a famous victory.
Newtown & Chilwell (3rd,13-5) tuned up for its qualifying final meeting with South Barwon with a 72-point victory over St Albans (9th, 4-14) at Jardon Oval.
The Eagles had the double chance locked away by quarter time when they stormed to a 47-point lead.
The Supersaints did outscore the home team in the second and final terms, but the Towners piled on nine goals to three in the third quarter, eventually winning 23.15 (153) to 13.3 (81).
Nick Jephson returned from an extended stint on the sidelines to kick six goals, with Jesse Colville, Taj McMillan and Connor Fopiani each adding three to the Eagles’ tally.
Tom Higgins kicked seven goals to claim the GFNL goalkicking title – the first Supersaint to win the award since Jase Perkins in 2015.
His 71 goals are the best return in the competition since Jarrod Garth kicked 90 goals for Bell Park in 2017.
Minor premier St Mary’s (1st, 16-2) rounded out its finals preparations with a 39-point win over an understrength Colac (6th, 9-9) at Anthony Costa Oval.
The Saints, who will enjoy a break in the first week of the finals, were challenged in the third quarter by the Tigers, before pulling away for a 13.15 (93) to 8.6 (54) result.
Jack Willson reached the 50-goal mark with his fourth of five goals for the afternoon.
Defender Hamish Bourke and experienced winger Jesse Travaglini were also important.
Darcy Lang was Colac’s best. He kicked two goals, as did Josh McDonald and Luke Hillman.
Grovedale (8th, 7-11) won a third consecutive match for the first time under coach Jacob Spolding after pulling away from Geelong West (10th, 3-15) after halftime for a 57-point win.
The Tigers led by just ten points at the main break before outscoring the Giants 11 goals to three to claim a 17.10 (112) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Tom Gillett kicked five goals to finish his season with 54 majors, while Ryan Abbott, Joe McCarthy and Billy Spicer contributed three apiece.
Tom Handley and captain Max Kelly each kicked two goals for the Giants.
Elimination final opponents St Joseph’s (4th, 13-5) and Bell Park (5th, 12-6), and the struggling North Shore (11th, 0-18) had the bye.
