DIMBOOLA has regained fifth position on the ladder with three rounds remaining after its 107-point win over Nhill at Dimboola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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In a must-win match, the Roos got off to a fast start, opening up a four-goal lead at quarter-time before taking a 51-point advantage into the major break.
The Tigers fought back in the third term, holding the host to just two goals, but an eight-goal-to-one final term ensured the Roos secured a percentage-boosting win.
The 22.17 (149) to 6.6 (42) triumph sees the Roos hold a big percentage buffer over sixth-placed Ararat.
The two finals contenders will meet in a do-or-die clash at Ararat on Saturday.
Roos coach Stuart Farr said his side would take confidence from the match.
"We had a pretty good win and now there's obviously a lot of work to go to stay in the top five," he said. "There weren't any individual standouts it was a really pleasing team performance.
"We shared the ball much better and moved it quicker than we have in the past."
Ash Clugston, seven goals, was named the Roos' best player, while Lachie Exell, five, skipper Al McKinnon and Ryan Bell, both three, were all among the host's leading performers.
Farr said quick ball movement was a key factor in the win.
"When you get it into Lachie Exell and Ash Clugston one-out they're going to win it more often than not," he said.
Exell leads the league goal-kicking leaderboard with 54 majors, with Clugston three behind in third.
Farr said his side looked forward to its match against the Rats.
"The boys are up and about and really looking forward to the challenge," he said.
For the Tigers, the loss was their fourth by more than 100 points for the season.
But coach Shane Grover said there were positives to take away from the match.
"For three quarters we were pretty competitive but in the last quarter they blew us away," he said.
"Our third quarter was really good, but in the last quarter we went away from our structures and game plan."
Grover said full-back Mitch Borgelt battled well against Exell, but he said his side could not stop Clugston.
Skipper Simon Brearley and midfielders Liam Albrecht and Sam Bone were also named among the Tigers' best.
Zac Webb was the side's only multiple goal-kicker, finishing with two.
