Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye, Golden Square, Kyneton and Sandhurst will participate in the BFNL finals series next month.
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The top five can’t change after South Bendigo suffered a 115-point hiding from Strathfieldsaye on Saturday night.
After being so good for much of 2017, everything caught up with the young Bloods in their round 17 clash with the Storm.
Injuries to key players for South combined with the Storm hitting peak form at the right time of the season saw the home side celebrate its first night game at Tannery Lane in fine style.
Forward Lachlan Sharp bagged nine goals to lead the Storm to a 26.19 (175) to 9.6 (60) victory.
Third-placed Golden Square and fourth-placed Kyneton played out a thrilling draw at Wade Street.
The Tigers looked set to score their first win over one of the current top three sides when they led by 12 points in time-on of the final quarter.
However, two late goals by the Dogs squared the ledger and the Tigers had to settle for a draw.
Eaglehawk had too much class and depth for Castlemaine in it 20.15 (135) to 10.16 (76). The Hawks now just need to defeated bottom side Maryborough next Saturday to clinch their first minor premiership since 2008.
Reigning premier Sandhurst secured a finals berth after it defeated Kangaroo Flat by 73 points at the QEO.
Andy Collins was back to his brilliant best with six goals in a best on ground performance.
In the final game of the round, Gisborne was made to work hard in its 18-point win over Maryborough.
Played on a heavy track at Gardiner Reserve, the Bulldogs won a low-scoring slog, 8.10 (58) to 5.10 (40).
The final round of the BFNL home and away season will be played next weekend, with main interest around Kyneton’s home clash with a rampant Strathfieldsaye.