BRIDGEWATER heads the Loddon Valley ladder with three rounds remaining, after an 11-goal haul to coach Lachlan Sharp led the Mean Machine to a commanding win over Calivil.
The 138-point margin brought a welcome percentage boost for Bridgewater as it fights for top spot against Marong, which had the bye last week.
The Mean Machine picked up 14 per cent for the win, but they are still 18 per cent behind the Panthers.
And while they are now a game ahead of Marong, they will have the bye in the second-last round.
Sharp’s goal spree took him to 86 for the season, with matches against Newbridge and Mitiamo to come before the finals.
Barring injury, he is almost certain to top the century mark for the second season.
Luke Ellings starred again for Bridgewater, and he must be polling well in the Harding Medal count.
A quiet opening term saw the Mean Machine ahead by 28 points, 4.4 to 1.1, but Calivil was unable to kick another goal while Bridgewater booted 18 more. Josh Martyn, Alex Powell and Harry Conway also were among Bridgey’s best along with Sharp, with Riley Walsh, Rhys Lourie, Jayden Manderson and Henry McCarthy best for the Demons. 
McCarthy kicked their only goal.
Mitiamo’s 63-point win away at Newbridge ranks as one of the most significant of the season.
The Maroons were favoured narrowly over the Superoos, with both teams struggling for form, but Mitiamo scored its biggest win in two years and now sits just one per cent behind Newbridge on the ladder.
Matt Gilmour, Tyler Rasmussen and Jack Dalglish were named among the Superoos’ best, with Doug Thomas kicking four goals, and Kobe Galvin and Alex Lloyd three each.
Billy Schilling managed three of his side’s four goals, taking him to an impressive 35 for the season from 11 matches.
Tom Hobson, Caleb Argus and Andrew Padbury were Newbridge’s best.
The Maroons travel to ladder leaders Bridgewater this week.
Maiden Gully’s finals prospects took a potentially fatal hit as the Eagles fell by 42 points at Serp.
The Bears now sit in fourth spot, four points ahead of Inglewood and with an inferior percentage but with a game in hand.
Josh Mellington kicked four goals for Serp as the Bears shared the spoils up forward with seven goalkickers.
Co-coach Angus Monfries turned back the clock with five goals for the Eagles out of their eight-goal return.
Nash Kemp, Tyler Miles and last year’s Harding Medallist Justin Laird were prominent for the Bears, while Stacy Fisk and Grayson Brown joined Monfries among Maiden Gully’s best.
The Eagles are now six points behind Inglewood in sixth place, although they have a game in hand.
They must keep winning, and meet Marong this week, which is coming off the bye
Maiden Gully then faces the Woodies in the second last round, and Pyramid Hill in the final match.