Travelling to Murchison Recreation Reserve to take on the 10th-placed Hoppers, the Swans entered the clash in good form, having won each of their past two encounters Undera and Longwood to set their season back on track.
While it wasn’t exactly a thrashing, the Swans did exactly what they needed to do on Saturday, claiming a comfortable-enough 53-43 victory to make it three wins on the trot and ensure they remain a finals threat with three games remaining.
With a 7-6 record following the win, Avenel stays seventh, but moves to within a game and a half of sixth-placed Merrigum.
The Swans face a stern test over the next fortnight, though, with top six sides Tallygaroopna and Lancaster awaiting, and while they do face ninth-placed side Violet Town in the final round of the home and away season, Avenel will likely need an upset to sneak into the six.
Elsewhere, the top contenders all continued their strong run of form, with ladder leader Shepparton East once again showcasing its imperious form.
The Eagles travelled to Violet Town Recreation Reserve and claimed a 65-23 victory over the Towners, moving to 13-0 for the year and notching a 31st consecutive win, while the Towners at the other end of the spectrum recorded a seventh straight loss.
Nagambie earned a third-straight victory after accounting for Stanhope in a big way on the road, claiming an 81-23 victory to move to 11-3 for the season, level with Lancaster in third though having played an additional game to this point.
The Wombats kept the pressure on the Lakers ahead too after beating out Merrigum in a tough top six battle, claiming a thrilling 41-35 victory to retain third and simultaneously demoting the Bulldogs to sixth, 0.55 per cent behind Tallygaroopna.
The Redlegs claimed a big win in the battle for that very nickname against Longwood, triumphing 52-14 to take hold of fourth spot for the time being and ending a two-game losing streak in the process.
Sunday saw the sole fixture played between Girgarre and Rushworth, and it was the Tigers that prevailed, winning 54-24 to move back inside the top four, while also officially ending Girgarre’s chances of playing finals.
