"We were pretty lucky in the end," she said of the 35-36 victory.

"It was a gritty, ugly win."

Peake said it took her side a while to adjust to the "body-on-body" clash with one of the league's juggernauts.

The Tigers mentor said she urged her team to be patient and look after the ball in the "stop-start" encounter.

Merrivale trailed last season's runner-up by three goals at three-quarter time and managed to pinch the match in the dying stages.

"I think it was in the last 20 seconds that we got the goal to get in front," she said.

Peake said she made moves for the final quarter to give her side the best chance for victory.

Millie Mahony, who was rested at goal shooter in the third quarter, was shifted back to goal attack.

Meanwhile, the Tigers' defenders were shuffled around with Nicole Ferguson moved from goal defence to under the ring.

Peake said Mahony was working well in combination with goal shooter Tanaya Harradine.

"Her behind the ball work is unreal," she said of Mahony.

The Tigers coach said she was pleased with the win but wanted her side to keep developing.

"There's still a lot of room for improvement," she said.

Peake said she was thrilled her young players were getting exposure to competitive matches after finishing ninth last year.

Another gripping match was played at Davidson Oval on Saturday.

Old Collegians ended the Timboon Demons' winning-streak with a three-goal victory.

Young goalie Chelsea Quinn was electrifying for the Warriors with 25 goals in the 54-51 win.

Goal shooter Sarah Forbes was on fire at Mack Oval as Russells Creek trounced Allansford to claim a 53-25 victory.

Forbes shot goal after goal to have Creek up by 10 at the first change.

Cats fans had reason to cheer with young Emma Stacey slotting a couple of long-range goals during the encounter.

Creek coach Thalia Robertson said her recruit Forbes was settling well into the team.

"Her body under the ring and her height just brings a whole new dynamic into our team," she said.

"The girls are feeding her beautifully and she's been quite accurate as well."

"She's a force under that ring."

Robertson praised the effort of centre Rachel Hansen who she said played a strong attacking match.

The Creek mentor said composure would be a focus for the group going forward.

"I think when we get too fast-paced, it's a bit too much for us," she said.

"But when we're nice and slow and controlled, it's a lot better to watch."

Meanwhile, South Rovers registered its first win of the season with a convincing 55-31 victory over Kolora-Noorat.

Panmure thrashed East Warrnambool to also claim its first win of the season.

Josie Ellerton and Rachel Dickson were the best for the Bulldogs in the 63-38 triumph.

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