After a tight start against one of their expected challengers, the Southern Roos put the foot down against Swifts, booting six goals to one in the second quarter, and opening up a match-winning 44 point lead by half time.

From there, they held Swifts to just one goal in the second half and extended the margin to 89 points by the final siren.

To make the win even more impressive, it was all done without head coach and 2018 Dellar Medalist Nick Pekin, whose absence was precautionary after suffering a concussion last week.

With Pekin out, Swifts looked right in the contest in the opening stages. The Baggies were hard at the footy and booted the first two goals of the game through Ryan Folkes and Zach Salmi.

The match was level at 20 apiece late in the quarter but an undisciplined 50 metre penalty from arguing with an umpire gave Harrow-Balmoral a steadying goal. It was quickly followed by another goal and the Southern Roos suddenly gained all the momentum.

Swifts coach Scott Carey said it was a disappointing end to the term.

"Unfortunately that happens," Carey said of the 50 metre penalty. "It's not ideal, especially late in the quarter when I thought we had the ascendancy.

"I felt like we controlled the first quarter ... we could've gone in with a lead and made a game out of it. But they were just too tall, too strong and they really got a hold of us after quarter time."

Pekin said he was pleased with his side's relentless performance after quarter time.

"Swifts are a quality side and we knew we had to finish them off," Pekin said.

"Their first 15 minutes of footy was unreal ... I said to the boys after the game just how happy I was about how we finished the game."

It was a much closer affair at Rupanyup, with the home side emerging with a three point victory in a hard fought slog against Laharum.

In wet conditions, it was an exceptionally low scoring game, with Rupanyup coming home with the win 6.7 (43) to 5.10 (40). Laharum kicked a goal with less than two minutes remaining and had the ball in their forward 50 when the final siren sounded.

Rupanyup coach Jack Musgrove was ecstatic.

"The last 10 minutes were unreal. There were bodies flying everywhere, blokes putting their head over the footy just trying to win the game for both sides," Musgrove said. "It was really a must win for us today, season was on the line, we couldn't afford to be 1-4 - it's a real character building win."

In other contests, Noradjuha-Quantong's 300 gamer Shane Oakley kicked seven and was named his side's best in a win against Pimpino. Jeparit-Rainbow ran away to a 35 point victory against Kalkee, and Natimuk United heavily defeated Taylors Lake, with Nathan Koenig booting eight goals.