South Mandurah stamped themselves as a genuine contender for the Dudley Tuckey Cup with a late charge leading them past Baldivis in round four action on Sunday.
The Falcons booted five goals in the final quarter to break away from the reigning premiers for a 12.10 (82) to 8.9 (57) victory.
Riley Steinbock starred on his way to taking best afield votes, while Cody Nelson notched his second five-goal bag for the season in the win.
It was Nelson getting the Falcons started with the first goal of the day, and they looked threatening when Zac Moody booted another to give them a two-goal lead before Blaine Johnson kicked truly for Baldivis to end the term.
A couple of quick goals in the opening minutes of the second had South Mandurah rolling, but efforts from Mitch Raynsford helped Baldivis wrestle back momentum.
His work helped create opportunities for Johnson and Ben Higgs, who each booted a pair of goals late in the term to see Baldivis leading by five points at the half.
The Brumbies looked likely to break away when Kyle Smith nailed another in the opening minute of the second half, but the Falcons dug deep.
With Kyren Gavin and Thomas Dyer impressing, South Mandurah was able to answer the call through goals from Michael Hansen and Kyle Penny, before a late one to Nelson saw them put their noses in front heading into the fourth term.
The clash looked poised to go down to the wire, but the Falcons went on to dominate the ending.
After a pair of South Mandurah goals Johnson would kick truly to cut the margin to within a straight kick.
But Kyle Penny restored the Falcons' breathing space and two late majors from Nelson put the game on ice.
Nelson's five-goal day takes his total for the Dudley Tuckey Cup season to 18 through the first four games, good enough for first on the league tally with a seven-goal lead over Johnson.
The win confirms South Mandurah's claim as a genuine threat in the Dudley Tuckey Cup, and consolidates their place in second on the ladder.
They will rest up through a bye round next week while Baldivis, now 1-2, will look to bounce back when they host Halls Head in round five.