A gritty away win at Cavendish on Saturday earned Westerns a two-game break.

The remaining double-chance positions are up for grabs with Tyrendarra (second), Heathmere (third), Coleraine (fourth) and Cavendish (fifth) locked on 11-6 records.

Westerns playing coach Richard Steele was relieved to squeeze out an 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65) result at Cavendish after the home side briefly threatened to snatch victory.

"They got the lead with about three minutes to go," Steele said.

"I was thinking we have to get it straight back down into our forward line."

Ruckman Corey Byers ensured the visitors won the next centre clearance and half-forward Hayden Dyke converted the opportunity, following a strong mark by Danny Pridham.

Scott Lindsay kicked the sealer with less than a minute to play after a mark and 50-metre penalty put him in the goal square.

Steele described the result as Westerns' best of the season, rating Cavendish a six-goal better side at home.

"I haven't beaten them up there since I've been coaching (two years)," he said.

"It was a pretty important game for us.

"It's such an even competition, that's why it's so important to get top."

Both sides started with loose players in defence, which Steele said set the stage for a battle of the back lines.

Westerns seized the early momentum with a 5.3 to 0.5 opening term.

Full-forward Peter Roberts found a way to beat the additional defensive traffic, kicking three of his five goals in the period.

Cavendish took three quarters to claw its way back into the contest, which it did by kicking three of the first four goals in the last stanza.

In other matches, Shaun Buchanan and Trevor Row helped guide Coleraine to an 11.11 (77) to 8.12 (60) away win at Dartmoor.

Mich Wilson kicked eight goals and Brent Bailey seven as Heathmere won against Branxholme-Wallacedale, 30.9 (189) to 14.8 (92).

Geoff Nunn and Brady Meek were prominent in Tyrendarra's 17.15 (117) to 4.6 (30) victory against Sandford.