The 23.22 (160) to 4.3 (27) win at Merrivale Recreation Reserve, teamed with Kolora-Noorat’s shock loss to South Rovers, has the Tigers back in calculations for the double chance come finals.

Tigers coach Karl Dwyer was mindful that his side was still relying on other results going its way, but was pleased with Saturday’s efforts.

“The way we moved the ball for the majority of the day was really good,” he said.

“(We were) just doing the basic things well. We didn’t get too selfish.”

The Merrivale forwards reaped the rewards of the slick movement up the field, with Brad and Scott Kelly booting 12 goals between them, while Will Ryan chimed in with four and was among the Tigers’ best.

Midfielder Josh Keilar was best on ground, providing great run and carry.

“He got a lot of possessions of the footy and broke lines with his pace,” Dwyer said.

“Josh Britton had a great day. He led up really well from the forward line, took some good marks.”

Dwyer said the hitout was a valuable one for his team, which was able to trial a few fresher faces in the line-up and rest others.

“Some were unavailable, some were carrying small injuries,” he said.

“We had Sam Inverarity, Lewy Blake – Will Ryan has played for for a couple of weeks – they all did their bit and made claims to keep their spots in the side.

“It makes it a little bit tough at selection, but it’s a good position to be in. Hopefully we can get 26, 27 players putting their hand up for senior selection the next couple of weeks.”

East Warrnambool coach Paul Hrabar was proud of his charges’ efforts, especially considering the mounting injury toll.

The Bombers lost key big man Dylan Burns (one goal) in the first quarter.

He popped his shoulder out early in the contest, but doggedly pushed on, playing through centre half-forward and full forward, but after the injury recurred a further two times in the same quarter, he had to call it a day.

The team also lost Coedie Carter, who had half a tooth knocked out. Hrabar said the Bombers did their best to regroup and battle on against a tough opponent.

“We just tried our best,” Hrabar said.

“We suffered injuries early on and then we just kept on pushing on as a team.”