CHELSEA locked away an MPNFL Peninsula Division finals berth on Saturday with a convincing 44-point win over Langwarrin.
The Seagulls are now two games clear of Bonbeach, Langwarrin and Pines with just two rounds to play.
Chelsea will be tested again this Saturday against top-of-the-table YCW. However, it was against the Stonecats that its season took a turn after beating them earlier in the year.
Even if Chelsea was to lose to the Stonecats, a win against Pines in the final game of the season would shore up its position. The Gulls dominated from the outset on Saturday and but for inaccurate kicking (13.14), would have won by a lot more.
James Nanopolous booted four for the Seagulls and Matt Lewison, Grant Trew and Ben Finemore dominated. The return of Ryan Stewart was also significant.
Daniel Wehner and Andrew Withers were again the best of the Kangas.
Bonbeach led Seaford all afternoon except for when it mattered. The Sharks led by three goals at quarter-time, by 17 points at half-time and by two points at three-quarter-time, but when the final siren sounded, it was the Tigers who were in front, 14.15 (99) to 12.15 (87).
Pat Cadd was the difference with six goals for the Tigers, while top votes for Bonbeach went to Danny Ades.
Mt Eliza answered the critics and recorded a comfortable victory over Edithvale-Aspendale, holding on to third place on the ladder. After weeks of lame performances, the Redlegs dominated from the first bounce and played four solid quarters of footy to win 14.20 (104) to 11.9 (75). Scott Lockwood had been threatening to take a game by the throat in recent weeks and he responded on Saturday with eight goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Karingal had 10 goalkickers in its 100-point win over Mornington. Brendon Lade landed six in his last home and away game for the Bulls for the season. The Bulls booted 10 goals in the first half and 13 in the second, winning 23.14 (152) to 7.10 (52).
Frankston YCW trounced Pines 28.11 (179) to 11.3 (69).