The Tigers lost to Harrow-Balmoral 68-23 at Pimpinio Recreation Reserve, but Ward said it was the best her side had played in several weeks.

Pimpinio won its first two matches of the year, but has dropped its remaining games to sit seventh on the ladder.

Ward said the team had been contending with injuries and players being absent since round one, and had not fielded a full-strength team since then.

Despite the 45-goal loss to the reigning premier, Ward said the team was starting to approach its strong early-season form.

“The other games we’ve played where we’ve lost by 30 or 40 goals this year have felt like big losses, but this one didn’t,” she said.

“It actually felt really good and we were able to force them into a lot of errors, which was a good sign.

“In the 20 years I’ve been in this league, I’ve never seen the A Grade standard jump so much in one year, so even if you play well against the lower teams, you can’t be confident.”

Ward named defensive duo Shelley Baker and Grace Wooster as the Tigers’ best players in the loss.

The Roos remain undefeated at the top of the ladder, leading Laharum by one game.

The Mountain Maids trailed Noradjuha-Quantong by a goal at quarter-time at the weekend, but stunned the Bombers with a 16-4 second term to gain the upper hand.

Laharum was led by Caitlin Story, 37 goals, and defender Nikki Ervin, and was never significantly challenged after the main break.

Bomber defenders Brooke Pay and Yolanda Francis were named best on court in the 53-42 defeat.

Swifts are still basking in the afterglow of their first victory in more than three years.

The Baggies jumped out of the gates early and held their lead to beat Taylors Lake 40-26.

Kalkee pulled out a tough win against Edenhope-Apsley in Paula Wiedermann’s 200th game.

The Kees led by a goal at quarter-time and two goals at half-time, before scores were levelled at the final change.

A big last quarter saw the Kees finish on top of the Saints, 51-46.

Interleague representative Rachael Whitehead, 28 goals, was the Saints’ best.

Natimuk United got back on track with a 51-32 victory against Rupanyup.

Ewes goal-scoring machine Kirby Knight shot 38 goals, but it was goal defence Jo Taylor and goal attack Emily Hateley who impressed the most.

The Panthers were led by Lana and Julie Hayes, while coach Julia Nicholson shot 14 goals.