The visiting Tigers belted Donald 17.19 (121) to 5.11 (41) to draw level on 24 points with the fourth-placed Royal Blues.

The Tigers and Royal Blues are now separated from fourth to fifth by a mere 0.24 per cent with three rounds remaining in the season.

The Tigers are now 6-3 in their past nine games since starting the season with four-consecutive losses.

RELATED – SATURDAY SCOREBOARD

Their impressive victory over the Royal Blues featured 12 goals from two players who made their returns to the side – veteran Jordan Doering (eight) and Simon Weekley (four).

The Tigers gained the upper hand by kicking the last four goals of the second quarter that helped them to build a 30-point advantage at half-time, 7.11 to 3.5.

The best for the Tigers was star ruckman Ryan O’Sulllivan, who continued his outstanding form.

Daniel Pearce was named best for Donald.

• Wycheproof-Narraport pulled away from St Arnaud in the final quarter to record a 29-point victory.

The Demons were 11 points up at three quarter-time before finishing with four goals to two in the final term to win 14.17 (101) to 11.6 (72).

Benjamin Brennan, Daniel Bibby, Danny Harrison and Kristian McNicol all kicked two goals apiece for the Demons, whose best were the consistent duo of Boe Bish and George Turner.

The Saints – who lost to the Demons for the eighth time in a row – also had four players kick two goals each: Brad Organ, coach James McNamee, young gun Jack Tillig and Kane Sevallos-Seden.

Tim Atkins was best for the Saints, who remain in third position, but now only have a half-a-game break on the fifth placed Tigers.

• For the first time since early in 2015 Wedderburn won all four quarters in a game as it accounted for Charlton by 58 points.

The Redbacks extended their advantage at every break in their 14.20 (104) to 6.10 (46) victory.

Declan Quin kicked four goals and was best for the Redbacks, who squandered the opportunity to put early scoreboard pressure on the Navies when they kicked just 2.7 from nine scoring shots in the first term.

Veteran midfielder Aaron Walklate battled hard for the Navies, who lost their fourth game in a row.

• Undefeated flag favourite Birchip-Watchem ticked off another victory, this time against Boort.

While it was a clash of top versus bottom the Magpies kept the margin under five goals as the Bulls won 16.9 (105) to 12.6 (78).

Boort’s tally of 78 was the highest score the Bulls have conceded this season.

Birchip-Watchem full-forward Stephen Paulke booted nine goals to take his season tally to 67 and was the Bulls’ best, while the Magpies’ better players were led by Ben Gregg.

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