In a low-scoring contest at Pyramid Hill, the Bulldogs turned an 11-point deficit at three quarter-time into a 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62) victory.

The win means the Bulldogs can’t be dislodged from the top three, while Calivil United is at risk of becoming the league’s first reigning premier since YCW in 2003 to miss the finals.

With two rounds remaining the Demons – who lost by less than a goal for the third time this season – are percentage outside the top five in sixth position.

In contrast, it has been Pyramid Hill’s ability to get over the line in the tight games that has proven crucial in the Bulldogs winning enough games to finish in the top three.

The Bulldogs now have a 10-5 record, with five of those wins having been by single-figure margins; three of them by less than a goal.

Saturday’s result means that two teams that missed the finals last year – the Bulldogs and Maiden Gully YCW – will both finish top three this season.

The Bulldogs had the wind at their backs in the final quarter and their tally of 3.1 to 1.1 was enough to sneak home by the barest of margins after the Demons had started the last term leading 55-44.

“Having the breeze in the last quarter we were fairly confident we’d be able to over-run them, but we had to really grind it out,” Bulldogs co-coach Brad Fawcett said.

The Bulldogs led by seven points late before a goal to Calivil United’s Lachlan McAllister brought the Demons back within one point.

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In the dying stages Demons’ forward Vincent Rodi (two goals) had a shot into the wind from about 40m, but his kicked landed on the goalline and the siren sounded soon after.

“It certainly wasn’t a pretty game, but the pressure from the boys was really good all day and they scrapped it out to get the result,” Fawcett said.

“It was one of those games that could have gone either way where a tackle here and a knock-on there allowed us to stay on the right side of the scoreboard.”

The Bulldogs suffered injury concerns to Brad Driscoll (hamstring), key forward Nathan Fitzpatrick (shoulder), Trent Barri (hamstring) and Matt Klein-Breteler (groin).

Ruckman Adrian Holland played a top game in the ruck to be best for the Bulldogs.

“He got towelled up by (Calivil United’s) Chris Down the first time we played them, so it was a really good response by him today,” Fawcett said.

“He was able to nullify Down at the stoppages and get plenty of ball himself, which was really important.”

In a low-scoring game the contributions of forward Mitch Cheesman (four goals) and Tom Sala (three) were crucial for the Bulldogs.

Calivil United coach Anthony Dennis was left to rue one that got away as the Demons lost their third game in a row.

“We lost a game today we should have won… that’s four losses by single-figure margins this year and that hurts in a really tight competition,” Dennis said.

Chris Sanders and Jonas Somerville led the best players for the Demons, who had forward Daniel Reid slot three goals.

Mitiamo recorded its biggest win of the season to retain its position in the top five.

The Superoos belted Marong by 92 points, 22.16 (148) to 8.8 (56).

Having had 6.9 on the board at the first break and seemingly in for another off-target day as has been so often the case this season, the Superoos straightened up over the last three quarters, kicking 16.7.

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“It was pleasing to kick a decent score and overall, a fairly dominant effort. The boys played some good footy today over four quarters,” Mitiamo coach Andy Grant said.

Midfielders Aaron McKean (two goals) and James Rozynski were the best for the Superoos, while in attack Dylan Clohesy (six) and Ryan Wellington (five), playing against his former side, combined for 11 goals and Michael I’Anson and Luke Scott added three each.

In what was the Panthers’ seventh defeat in a row – now their longest losing streak since 2011 – their best were headed by on-baller Zach Turnbull, who has been one of their standouts this year, and Cameron Ross.

Both clubs wore purple socks in what was a game billed as “Purple For Pancreatic Cancer” in honour of Grant’s mother, Annette, who recently passed away.

“It was a big day for all of us, especially dad (Bill), and Marong was fantastic with their support. There was a big crowd and hopefully, we’ve been able to raise a lot of money, which is what the day was all about,” Grant said.

On a big day for the Grant family, another of Annette’s sons, Matt Grant who had the job on Bryce Fitzpatrick, featured in the Superoos’ best players.

Newbridge’s strong first quarter set up its win over Bridgewater that continues to have the Mean Machine staring down at the barrel of missing the finals for the first time since 2006.

The Maroons won by 38 points at home, 13.10 (88) to 7.8 (50), in a game they had earlier led by 33 points at the first break having held Bridgewater scoreless in the opening term.

“It was a big day for the club with our sponsors day and I was super proud of the boys today,” said Newbridge coach Brad Comer, who missed with general soreness.

“Bridgewater had a lot to play for, so they threw everything at us, but our boys stood up well and played good, hard footy and it was a great win.

“Getting off to the start we did in the first quarter to keep them scoreless was really important and showed the boys were switched on.”

Gun midfielder Tommy Horne was best for the Maroons and Tyler Romeril provided a strong presence at centre half-forward as Newbridge, now 12-2, maintained its position at the top of the ladder.

The Mean Machine, who are a game, plus 18 per cent outside the top five, were best served by Peter Rothacker and Joseph Mayes.

Bears Lagoon-Serpentine climbed from sixth to fifth courtesy of its 21.15 (141) to 11.10 (76) win at home over Inglewood.

Cody Gunn (six) and James Rippingale (four) combined for 10 goals for the Bears, whose better players were headed by Jasper Walker-Corbet and Brayden Sheahan.

Young forward Sam Barnes kicked four of the 11 goals for the Blues, who named coach Ryan McNish their standout player.

“We started off OK, but let Serp kick some easy goals in the first half through our bad decisions,” McNish said.

“Our third quarter let us down and we let Serp move the ball well through the middle with little pressure on them, but we didn’t roll over and had enough of the ball in the last quarter.”