Interleague defender Brant Dickson kicked five goals in the 24.22 (166) to 4.8 (32) win.

“He gave us a really good option and the guys used the ball really well and he was able to use his height and smarts, I think he would have had 10 or 12 shots on goal,” coach James Saker said.

“So it was great for him to come back and have that impact.”

It was the 30-year-old’s first game in 12 weeks since tearing his posterior cruciate ligament against Wangaratta Rovers in round five.

Regular full-forward Adam Prior was suspended for three weeks at the tribunal for striking.

He will return for the final round game against Wodonga Raiders.

The Panthers have welcomed back a host of players in recent weeks, although they were still without siblings Nick and Kris Holman with knee and rib injuries.

“Probably the other really good thing out of the game is we didn’t get any injuries,” Saker said.

The other major benefit of the win though was the increase in percentage.

Lavington lifted its percentage by 12 and that could prove critical as it fights for a finals berth.

It was also the Panthers’ biggest win over the Hoppers, eclipsing the 124-point margin in their last premiership year of 2005.

The Hargreave brothers Tom and Sam booted four apiece to feature in the visitors’ best.

Ruckman Tim Hanna also played well, while the dangerous John-Roy Williams landed two majors.

North’s sole interleague player from this year in Lachie Taylor-Nugent was his team’s best in another poor showing.

The Panthers have now drawn level with Yarrawonga in third place.

The Pigeons are guaranteed to keep that spot too next week, despite facing the Albury juggernaut.

Yarrawonga has a percentage of almost 210, well ahead of Wodonga Raiders, who will look to join it on 10 wins when they meet Rovers.