Curse Watch was minutes from its biggest scalp yet. The Cheats lost Jarrod Witts to a late withdrawal, which should have torn a hole in their ruck - but the emergency, Toby Nankervis, came in for 33 and dragged them home by eight over the Village. Ned Long's 48 in the tackle slot did the rest. The Village won the forward line handsomely through Jacob van Rooyen and Kai Lohmann, yet couldn't cover the ruck and tackle gaps. The curse still circles, but the Cheats have wriggled loose - backs-to-the-wall stuff, pure John Worsfold. South East Suburban Flannie's finals hopes took a dent against Sainta's Sinners. Jake Stringer's 44 up forward was the difference - Flannie won the ruck and tackle, but their forward line simply didn't show. They slip to sixth, 9-9, two wins off the four with five to play. Western Suburbs Walkabout stayed top in a shootout with Coolgardie, and Fitzroy held second by edging Corio on the road.