The Steaders had lost just one game heading into the clash, but were blown away after half-time by the undefeated Grasshoppers, who won 19.17 (131) to 5.3 (33).

The MCDFL’s leading goalkicker, Ashley Driscoll, bagged six goals for the Grasshoppers to outscore the Steaders off his own boot.

The Grasshoppers kicked 13.11 to 1.1 in the second half after leading by just 16 points at half-time.

• In Sunday’s second game, the other power side of the competition, Lexton, won its ninth game in a row, defeating Harcourt 14.16 (100) to 8.4 (52).

Damon Aspland’s brilliant season continued for the Tigers to be their best player, while Paul Chaplin was the pick of the Harcourt players.

• Royal Park continued its surge towards the finals after kicking away from Dunolly to notch its eighth win on Saturday.

Chasing their first win of the season, the Eagles trailed by just four points at three quarter-time.

But Bushy had all the answers in the final term, finishing with four goals to one to claim a 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55) victory.

Bushy's Zac Stewart was one of the key differences between the two sides with four goals.

Jay Anderson, Taylor Stewart, Shane Gray and Dylan McLean were also influential for Bushy.

Dunolly - which will target Rovers and Maldon in the next two rounds for its first win - had Jesse Olsen (five goals) play a dominant game.

Olsen's five goals were the most by an Eagles' player this season.

Grant Raven, Dylan Gordois and Harry Warren were also among the better players for the Eagles.

• After being on the wrong end of a thriller last week, this time a tight result went Talbot's way.

The Hawks came from 16 points down at half-time in a low-scoring game to beat Rovers by five points, 7.10 (52) to 6.11 (47).

The five-point win - the Hawks' fourth of the season - came a week after they lost to Royal Park by three points.

Trent Barras kicked four goals for the Hawks to be their best player, while James Collings and Stephen Larkin were other standouts.

Rovers - who were denied their third win of the season - were best served by Bradley Fraser, Nicholas Clark and coach Scott Sellers.

• After losing its first eight games, Avoca made it two in a row following a 30-point victory over Trentham at home.

The Bulldogs won 13.6 (84) to 8.6 (54) to not only win their second on end, but inflict the seventh loss in a row on Trentham.

Murray Bond (four goals) was the best for the Bulldogs, who also had good players in Thomas Nankivell, Alec Wiltshire, coach Adrian Pilgrim and Jaye Farnsworth.

James Cann, Lewis Bruton (two goals) and Simon Boxall led the better players for the Saints.

• Campbells Creek gave a competitive showing against Carisbrook - an opponent it hasn't beaten for more than a decade.

The Creekers were within eight points of the Redbacks going into the final term.

However, Carisbrook answered the threat with three goals to one in the final term to win 10.14 (74) to 7.4 (46).

Of the 14 games in a row the Creekers have lost against Carisbrook since 2004, the 28-point margin was only the third inside five goals.

Coach Luke Treacy, Liam Cunningham (three goals) and Cole Roscholler played well for Carisbrook in what was the Redbacks' fifth win in a row.

The Creekers, who slipped to 5-5 with the loss, had good players in Davin Nicholls, Ryan Jeffrey and Brandon Greenwood.

• Natte Bealiba continued Maldon's winless season, recording a 60-point victory, 13.10 (88) to 3.10 (28).

Stephen Ross (Natte Bealiba) and Nicholas McKnight (Maldon) were the best players for their sides.