The Saints sent the Hoppers crashing out of finals contention by eventually breaking clear in the final quarter following a dour and error-riddled three quarters from both teams.

In an unexpected bonus, the Saints moved a match clear of fifth-placed Wodonga Raiders who were over-run by Lavington in the final term of their clash.

But the Saints will need every bit of their present buffer on sixth-placed Wangaratta as they play the top-three teams on the ladder in the next three rounds starting next round with raging flag favourites Albury, which they lost to by 215 points earlier this season.

The Saints had the upperhand against the Hoppers from the outset, but the home team always kept within striking distance and mounted a charge in the final term to get within five points.

Sensing the challenge and the ramifications of defeat, the Saints outscored their opponents 5.5 to 2.0 in the final term.

Some of the usual suspects were instrumental in the victory including co-coach Brad Murray, Fraser Dale, Christian Burgess and Matt Dussin with the latter dominating the ruck.

But there were portents of promise to come including key forward Riley O’Shea clunking some strong grabs up forward as he fights his way back from a serious knee injury and continued development of Lachie Dale and Elijah Wales.

Wales’ older brother Hugh is also due to return from an extended injury lay-off next week.

Both teams had to work hard for goals and the Saints snared two via crucial snaps from Jarrod Hayes and Sam Confait in the third term to keep the Hoppers at arms length.

Bullocking mid-fielder Dom Brew and Daniel Leslie were clearly the Hoppers’ best two performers and Ben Fulford was lively around goal.

Hoppers’ coach Jason Akermanis handed over the coaching reins at quarter time to assistant Clint Gilson to attend the Brisbane Lions’ Hall of Fame evening.

The move has predictably set off more conjecture about his coaching future at Bunton Park beyond this season.

The Hoppers’ best finishes in his three completed seasons to date are elimination final exits in his first season in 2013 and last year.