Panmure looks most likely to claim the remaining Warrnambool and District league finals spot after enjoying a convincing 16.14 (110) to 10.11 (71) victory over Allansford.
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It was do-or-die for the Bulldogs because they were a game behind the Cats with three rounds to go.
But Chris Bant's team has now leapfrogged the Cats to take fifth-spot and it looks likely to play finals.
Bant, who kicked a goal, was thrilled with the win.
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"We knew if we dropped this then our season was finished," he said.
Panmure and Allansford are now locked on 40 ladder points each but Panmure only has to play one more match because it has a bye in round 18.
The Bulldogs have 10th placed Russells Creek on Saturday.
The task is much harder for Allansford because it has fourth-ranked Old Collegians on Saturday and Dennington in the final round.
To make matters worse, Cats playing assistant coach Nick Johnstone, who has kicked 12 goals this season, is likely to miss two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Panmure holds the ladder percentage advantage with 113.75 points while the Cats have 106.67.
All eyes will be on the Cats' battle with the Warriors at Allansford Recreation Reserve.
Meanwhile, Bant was impressed with his team's first-quarter against Allansford after it kicked five goals to one into the wind.
"It was good to have a buffer and keep that buffer all day," he said.
He said his side was switched on and ready to go from the start.
Bant praised the efforts of his defenders including Tom Wright and Daniel Meade.
"They were able to cut everything off all day," he said.
Bant said his Bulldogs had improved in number of areas this season.
"A lot of our blokes were rolling off opponents and helping each other," he said.
The Bulldogs mentor said he believed his group was growing in confidence as it played more games together.
He said he had almost a full-list of players available.
Sam Melican, who returned from a knee operation, played deep forward and kicked five goals.
Bant was pleased to have him back.
"It's good to have someone of his calibre," he said.
The Bulldogs mentor said Melican was likely to stay forward but may also be used in the ruck.
Bant said Bulldogs mid-season recruit Brad Cook, who has featured in the best three times, hurt his hamstring and could miss Saturday's match with Creek.
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