WARRNAMBOOL survived a scare to remain unbeaten after nine Hampden league rounds on Saturday after North Warrnambool Eagles forward Dylan Parish missed a shot at goal on the final siren.
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The Blues hung on for a thrilling 8.12 (60) to 8.11 (59) win at Reid Oval.
Parish, who finished with three majors, took a mark 45 metres out from goal in the dying stages.
He kicked as the siren sounded. It faded left leaving the Eagles to bemoan what might have been.
The Blues took a 14-point lead into the final break.
An intriguing fourth term ensued.
Blues skipper Sam Cowling, who was best afield, put his side eight points up at the 18-minute mark.
But a free kick for a throw gave emerging Eagles forward Josh Corbett the chance to trim the margin to two at the 25-minute mark.
Enter Parish, whose uncontested grab gave the visitors a chance to snare a confidence-boosting victory.
A fast-start helped Port Fairy return to the winners' list against fellow finals contender Terang Mortlake.
The Seagulls kicked 4.6 in an first term blitz.
Xavier McCartney slotted five goals in the 14.10 (94) to 11.7 (73) victory at Gardens Oval.
Terang Mortlake forward-ruckman Stephen Staunton booted eight but one was of only three Bloods' goal-kickers.
Portland made it back-to-back wins, downing Cobden 21.19 (144) to 13.9 (87) at Hanlon Park and South Warrnambool celebrated its second win of the season, defeating Hamilton Kangaroos 11.18 (84) to 11.12 (78) at Melville Oval.
Reigning premier Koroit dismantled Camperdown, which has now lost its past five matches following a four-game winning streak to start the season.
