Wickers coach Ryan Knowles said Kaylab Eggers, Samuel Gibson and Joel Antonio played best for his side, which is now fifth on the ladder.

Meanwhile, Learmonth made it three wins on the trot with a 17-point triumph over Clunes.

Newlyn Cats, who were missing key forward Marcus Darmody because of a groin injury, were guided to victory over Gordon by joint-coach Dan Wehrung, who booted four goals in a best on ground display. In the end, Newlyn won the match by 36 points.

Hepburn debuted two more youngsters in its hard-fought win at Skipton. Zachary Kupsch and Thomas Brown both played their first senior games for the Burras, which held off a fast-finishing Emus to prevail by 18 points.

Daylesford broke through with a 27-point win, the first win of the campaign, to deal Ballan its second-straight defeat.

The breakthrough victory, however, was marred by injuries to two of its most important players.

The Bulldogs broke through to beat Ballan, but lost Seb Walsh and Michael Cummings during a horror one-minute period in the third term.