While it was only the Maroons’ third win of the season, the 17.7 (109) to 12.7 (79) result at Karee Wool Riverside Oval brings Newbridge to within one game of the top five.

The Maroons led by 12 points at half-time, before kicking six goals to three during the pivotal third term to set up a 34-point advantage at the last change.

“Today was probably the closest to four quarters of consistent footy that we’ve played for the season, so that was really pleasing,” Newbridge coach Matt Dillon said.

“Our ball-use was a lot better and more direct today and we gave ourselves a much better chance to score, which the result showed.

“From where we were earlier in the season we’ve started to work ourselves back into a little bit of form, so we’ll just continue to take it week by week.”

For the third game in a row Sam Kennedy was the best for the Maroons. He played forward and kicked five goals.

“He was really dangerous today and plays a lot taller than he is,” Dillon said.

Jack Fowler, Dillon and prime mover Brad Comer were others among the best for the Maroons.

The Bulldogs, who remain fifth, have hit the skids, with Saturday’s loss their fourth defeat in a row in what’s now their longest losing streak since 2007.

Nathan Fitzpatrick kicked four of the Bulldogs’ 12 goals, with Bevan Gunther, Daniel Price and Billy Micevski their better players.

• Calivil United extended its winning run over Inglewood to 29 in a row, belting the Demons by 80 points at Five Star Stockfeeds Oval.

Unlike their round two meeting when the margin was just two points, the return match was a blowout as the Demons won 16.15 (111) to 4.7 (31).

Mid-season signing Phil Lobb bagged five goals for the Demons, whose best players in what was their fifth win in a row included Mitch Brewer, Henry Miller and Mitch Farmer (three goals).

Inglewood – which hasn’t beaten Calivil United since 2002 – kicked three of its four goals during the second quarter.

While the Blues roared home in the second half of their round two clash against the Demons, this time it was all one-way traffic after the main break as Calivil United kicked 8.8 to 1.2.

“We had nine players different today to when we played them last time, so that didn’t help, but at the end of the day they were just much better than us,” Inglewood assistant coach Mick Delaney said.

“They were hungrier at the contest and their forward line was very good… they converted just about every time they went in their forward 50.”

Ruckman Cody West was the best player for the Blues, who were also well served by Dean McGrath and Shane Harris.

• For the fourth time in their past five meetings Bridgewater belted YCW by more than 100 points.

The Mean Machine remained unbeaten – and stretched their overall winning streak to 23 – with their 22.18 (150) to 5.6 (36) victory over the Eagles at Laser Plumbing Bendigo Oval.

Bridgewater put the foot down early, booting 8.4 to 1.1 in the first term to lead by 45 points at quarter-time.

The Mean Machine had 13 players kick goals, led by four from Tom Kuhne and three to Andrew Collins.

Consistent captain Zeb Broadbent, Kuhne and Zac East (two goals) were the best for the Mean Machine.

While the final margin was 114 points, the Eagles did manage to win a quarter, outscoring the Mean Machine 2.1 to 1.5 during the second term.

“On the scoreboard it looks like it was a tough day, but we went in with a few things we wanted to achieve out of the game, which we did,” YCW co-coach Daniel Francis said.

“Our tackle count was massive… we had 96, and I thought the way we took the game on and tried to play on at every opportunity and use the ball through the corridor was really pleasing.”

Liam Collins, Natnael McLaren and Nick Waterson (two goals) led the better players for the Eagles.

• Mitiamo is now on its best winning streak for nine years after flogging Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by 133 points.

The Superoos won 25.17 (167) to 5.4 (34) at home to have now won six games in a row for the first time since 2007.

The Bears were gallant for the first half and were within 29 points at the main break as they trailed 8.8 to 4.3.

But the floodgates opened in the second half as the Superoos piled on 17 goals to one to kick their highest score since booting 27.19 (181) against Inglewood in round two, 2011.

“We stayed with them for most of the first half and had really good intensity around the contest,” Bears coach Greg Gadsden said.

“But with a lack of depth, it makes it tough to sustain it for four quarters and they got hold of us in the second half and gave us a lesson.”

Mitiamo coach Justin Maddern’s goalkicking spree continued, booting nine for the second week in a row to take his tally to 69 – 43 clear of his nearest rival, Newbridge’s Chris Dixon (26).

“It came in fairly clean to him most of the day, which made it tough for our backline,” Gadsden said.

As well as Maddern’s nine, the Superoos had 10 other players kick goals.

The better players for the Superoos were led by star midfielder Tyson Sidebottom (three goals), captain Dylan Clohesy, who got forward to kick two goals, and onballer Terry Reeves.

Teenager Jasper Walker-Corbet, James Rippingale and Nick Arthur battled hard for the Bears, who get no respite in the next fortnight with their next two games against Calivil United and Bridgewater.