The Eagles, who also must now be considered premiership favourites, blew away the Wickers in the first quarter with seven goals and romped away to win 17.18( 120) to 6.4.(40).

Justin Berry was unstoppable up forward with six goals and Marc Holt provided a two-pronged attack, kicking five goals. Brett McMaster and Troy Tharle-Adams dominated the midfield and general play in a clinical display by Cranbourne.

Berwick got within 20 points in a wind-assisted second quarter but was simply no match for Cranbourne when the Eagles kicked into top gear in the second half, booting nine goals to one. Andrew Tuck was the Wickers' best.

Devon Meadows kept its finals chances alive with a hard-fought win against Hampton Park, 9.15 (69) to 7.12 (54).

Starting the day a game behind the Redbacks, the Panthers kicked clear in the third quarter and despite kicking just two behinds in the last quarter, were able to hang on on the back of valuable contributions from Daniel Rigg, Justin Hill and Ash Adams, who booted four goals.

Shaun Noonan and Scott Eastwood were the Redbacks' best.

Pakenham bounced back from last week's thumping by Cranbourne with a comfortable win against second-placed Narre Warren, 10.9(69) to 8.10(58) .

Narre went in as favourite but Pakenham got off to a flying start and played a magnificent final quarter to seal the points.

Nathan Leishout kicked four goals for the Lions and Dom Paynter and Nathan Brown dominated. Cole Harvey and Ben Wragg were the Magpies' best.

Beaconsfield maintained its place in the top three with a big win over Tooradin, 20.15 (135) to 10. 9 (69). The Eagles dominated from the outset. Ryan Donaldson booted five goals and Andrew Hunter, Lachlan Oakley, Dan Mislicki and Michael Collins kicked three each.

Keysborough is equal fourth on the ladder after defeating Doveton, 13.11 (89) to 6.17 (53). Greg Walker was the Kookaburras' main goalkicker with four and was well supported up forward by Lloyd Wells with three goals. Travis Skidmore played a vital role.

Simon Black and Vergim Fail were the best for the Doves.