CENTRALS will need to defeat Halls Head this weekend to snatch the last place in the finals from rivals Pinjarra in the Peel Football League.
Mundijong had to come from behind to defeat Mandurah on Sunday and give themselves a realistic chance at this year’s final series 6.18 (54) to 5.5 (35).
Just one goal was scored in the first term by Centrals as Mandurah failed to score a single point in tough conditions.
Two goals in the second saw the Mustangs take the lead as Centrals inaccuracy began to rise.
A fightback by Mundijong in the third saw them close the gap to just one-point at the final change as the side then ran out the match to claim the 19-point win.
Ryan Murphy kicked three for Centrals to be their lone multiple goal scorer while Zac Podmore and Brendan Okey had two each for the Mustangs.
In the other matches of the round, Rockingham continued their unbeaten streak against Baldivis on Saturday at home, winning by 69 points.
The Rams kicked seven goals to none in the opening term to shore up their 17th straight win of the year.
The match was a one-sided affair in the opening half as the Brumbies could only manage one major until the main break, but a half-time rev up saw the side come out firing.
The Brumbies showed they can match it with the Rams as they scored seven goals to add some respectability to the scoreboard, but that effort could not be sustained as the Rams kicked away in the last to take the 20.16 (136) to 10.7 (67) win.
Dane Ugle slotted five for the match and he was well-supported by Dale Roberts with four and Caleb Bloomer with three.
Peter Agostino was the lone hand up forward for Baldivis with three goals.
South Mandurah sits in third place after their 16.12 (108) to 7.6 (48) win over cellar-dwellers Halls Head.
The Lightning gave the Falcons an almighty scare in the first half as they matched it with the more experienced side.
Down by just 15 points at the main change, the Falcons stepped up their intensity to end the Lightning’s hopes of a second win for the year.
The six-goal to one quarter effectively ended the match before the Falcons secured a 60-point win.
Competition leading goal kicker Rod Tregenza kicked eight majors to take his season total to 109 while Clinton Heal slotted three goals in support.
For the Lightning, both captain Braddon Kazakoff and Tyson Phillips kicked two goals in the losing effort.
In the final match of the round, Waroona continued their strong form, easily accounting for Pinjarra at home 11.12 (78) to 2.4 (16).
Pinjarra failed to kick a major in the opening term, but that feat was matched by the Demons in the second, who failed to add to their four-goal tally.
The tough conditions didn’t help either side, but it was the Demons who adapted first as they kicked away in the second half.
The Tigers had their second goalless quarter of the match in the last as they finished the game with their lowest score of the year.
Waroona continue to sit second on the competition table with the Rams already secure in first place.
In the final round of the 2012 season, Pinjarra will need a win against third-placed South Mandurah to secure a place in the finals, but with fellow competitor Centrals taking on Halls Head to secure their place, the latter appears set to join Rockingham, Waroona, South Mandurah and Baldivis in the finals.