Hurstbridge survived relegation from Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 season with a hard-fought 26-point victory over Whittlesea in the final round of the season.
The Bridges led at every change on their way to the 19.10 (124) to 15.8 (98) victory at Ben Frilay Oval, securing their spot in the top flight for a third-consecutive year.
The result handed Whittlesea a bottom-place finish and relegation back to second division after a three-year stint in first division.
Troy Barbero finished off his season in fine form with a best on ground display, while fellow mainstays Sean Jellie and Brayden Shaw also impressed in the victory.
Former Collingwood and Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke put in a strong performance, booting four goals for the home side and was dominant in patches against an undermanned Whittlesea defence.
Nick Milne also booted three for the home side while Jack Donnelly, Jamie Smith, Mitchell Burton and Mitchell Hymus all kicked two apiece.
For the Eagles, Janan Daniel kicked three majors and was aided by Xavier Dimasi, Max Dyson, Matthew Atta, Jaron Murphy and Clancy Bland who all booted two goals.
Atta was named best afield for his side, while Nathan and Mitchell Andrews both impressed in defence alongside youngster Blake Watson, who took multiple goal-saving marks in the final term.
Whittlesea was able to get the first goal of the match in the opening minutes through Atta, before Hymus kicked two in the space of three minutes to kick-start the home side.
However, the Bridges were unable to convert going forward early on, with five more scoring shots at the first change they led by just five points.
After allowing Max Dyson to kick truly early in the second term, the home side then flicked the switch and piled on the next five goals, including two to both Cloke and Milne.
Whittlesea lost Luke Deards midway through the term. The key defender had the job on Cloke and his side was then unable to find a matchup who compared physically, allowing Cloke to have his way inside the Bridges forward 50.
The home side booted seven goals to three in the second term to open a 28-point lead at the main break.
Goals to Donnelly and Jellie early in the third term saw the Bridges threaten to run away with a huge win, however the Eagles were not going down without a fight and booted four of the next five goals to trim the margin to 19 points at the final change.
Bland converted from the pocket in the opening minute of the final term as the Eagles gained momentum and threatened to escape relegation once again
However, the sides traded goals to opening the fourth quarter as the Bridges held on to their lead. Cloke then kicked another two goals, before the Eagles responded with two of their own in two minutes through Atta and Dimasi, to keep stay within touching distance.
The sides once again trade goals before Donnelly and Burton broke through to put the result beyond doubt for the Bridges.
Hurstbridge will once again look to consolidate themselves as a Division 1 side in 2019, after avoiding narrowly avoiding relegation for the past two seasons.
Final score: Hurstbridge 19.10 (124) def Whittlesea 15.8 (98)
