The Thunder wasted no time, cruising out to a three-goal lead in the first term and could have been further in front but for some wayward shots on goal.
Playing-coach Jack Threlfall said his side’s early heat had it in control of the game despite some inaccuracy in front of goal.
“We always want to start well and we were able to do that but couldn’t convert early. I think at one stage we were one goal eight or something like that,” he said.
“It would’ve been nice to have been a bit further in front but we managed to keep scoring and put in a real four-quarter effort.”
Threlfall was full of praise for his side’s spine, with the ever-reliable Brad Ridings, Andy O’Connor and Tom Cook all named among the best.
With up to eight senior players sidelined through injury or illness, the Thunder coach was stoked for the way his side went about it in what was a crucial clash.
“Brad Ridings was really good in the middle, Tom Cook played on (Damien) Cupido and did a really good job,” he said.
“We were missing eight players yesterday so it was good to get the win with so many out. We should have four or five back this week.
“It was a really important game for us to win. We want to play finals and we want to keep our finals fight alive.”
In other action on Saturday, Lancaster cruised into fifth spot with a 58-point thumping of Nagambie.
Zaid Besim led the way with a three-goal, best-on-ground performance, supported by the likes of Nicholas Ryan, Phil Carroll, Jake Mills, Coby O’Neill and Zac Cerrone.
The 15.14 (104) to 7.4 (46) loss leaves the Lakers back in 10th and in dire need of points to keep their season alive.
The remaining round 10 results were fairly lopsided, with Stanhope blowing away Tallygaroopna 27.10 (172) to 2.3 (15), while Murchison-Toolamba dismantled Longwood 22.24 (156) to 2.2 (4).
Shepparton East shrugged off a valiant Merrigum 24.10 (154) to 10.9 (69), while ladder-leader Avenel was simply too strong for Rushworth in a 241-point victory.
Violet Town and Undera went head-to-head in the sole Sunday fixture.
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