South Rovers have thrust themselves into finals contention after a stunning two-goal win over the Timboon Demons at Albert Park Reserve.
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Down by four goals at the first break, the Lions put on a blistering display in the second term to pile on 17 goals while restricting the Demons to just five.
The arm-wrestle would continue after the main break, with Timboon erasing the South Rovers' eight-goal lead.
But the home side would carry a slender two-goal buffer through the final stanza for a memorable 45-43 win that brought them to seventh on the Warrnambool and District league ladder with a 2-3 record.
South Rovers playing-coach Jess Rohan led by example with a best on ground performance in goal defence, while Georgia White and Nadine Porter also stood out.
Hayley Plozza scored 24 goals for Timboon in a new rotating goalie combination alongside Raina Hunt (11) and Laura Rosolin (8), with Emily Jansen Van Beek the Demons' best.
Demons coach Leah Sinnott was pleased with her side's opening burst but frustrated by a second-quarter fade-out that mirrored Timboon's performance against Dennington last week.
"We had good flow and timing early on but then just made too many errors trying to force balls in the second term," she said.
"Our decision-making wasn't great, nor our accuracy. But Jess (Rohan) had great coverage for them - she floated into defence and read the ball well.
"South Rovers are a good team, they contested everything down the court."
Panmure defeated Russells Creek to take home the Forever Young Shield and hand playing-coach Stacy Dunkley her first win against her old side.
The Bulldogs got an early lead but had to fight off the Creekers until the final whistle, with the 45-39 victory giving them a 3-3 record.
Steph Jamieson was best on for Panmure while Rachel Hansen was the standout for Russells Creek.
"I was very proud of the girls," Dunkley said.
"They never dropped their heads despite the pressure. I think the crowd and our talk on the court really lifted everyone."
Dennington did its percentage no harm with a 51-18 home win over the East Warrnambool Bombers.
Merinda Ugle-Hagan fought hard for the Bombers in defence, while Lena Wright put her body on the line with some lunging intercepts.
But the Dogs, led by Jess Haberfield, Ruby Wilson and Angela Northcott soon put the clamp on their opposition, restricting them to just 11 goals for the rest of the match while Lana Keane (29 goals) provided a strong target in attack.
Dogs coach Josie Bolden said she was rapt with her side's complete performance after wing attack Krystal Day pulled out last minute with a knee complaint.
This saw Wilson move to wing defence and Haberfield shuffled from goals to wing attack.
"It was great to see people thrive in different combinations," she said.
East Warrnambool coach Donna Chatfield said the competitive display against a top side was encouraging.
"Our defence was amazing," she said. "I was really proud of them.
"I walked happy knowing it's our fifth game and we're slowing getting there."
In the other games, Nirranda defeated Merrivale 62-34 while Old Collegians defeated Allansford 72-44.
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