The visitors stunned the powerhouse to lead by three goals at half-time, before MPN rattled on 12 goals to three to post a 16.16 (112) to 10.11 (71) win at Rosebud.

It means the O and M will drop back to AFL Victoria's five versus six playoff next year, while MPN will play Northern for the top title.

Northern defeated Geelong to snare the number one crown on Saturday.

Geelong now falls back to the three versus four game against Goulburn Valley.

The O and M will meet Hampden.

Early on, the O and M looked capable of chasing the prized number one spot next year when it jumped MPN, grabbing a 15-point lead at quarter-time.

Lavington's Shaun Mannagh was superb, cutting the home team apart.

"He started really well and we were able to break the game open with our pace," O and M co-coach Jon Henry said.

"We were able to get that overlap run and get that space in front of us."

But the game started to change in the second term.

MPN started to dominate, clocking up 20 inside 50s, but could manage just 1.4 as the visitors' defence, superbly led by hulking Wangaratta Rovers' fullback Nathan Cooper, guaranteed the visitors could sense an upset with a three-goal lead.

But multiple league best and fairest Shane McDonald then kicked three goals in a 10-minute burst in the third and the game was racing away from the O and M.

McDonald finished with six as the small forwards feasted on the glut of possession, with Shannon Gladman bagging three.

"After half-time they started controlling the stoppages and we weren't able to get out the front as much as we were," Henry said.

"Their stronger bodies, especially around the middle of the ground, were really telling.

"Contested footy, they really dominated that, I think in the third quarter, it was 16 to eight, that's pretty damning."

While Cooper was outstanding on Keegan Downie, keeping him goalless, Lavington's Marty Brennan was also terrific.

"He was the one midfielder who was able to compete around the ball," Henry said.

Wodonga Raiders' Brad St John played well on a wing, while Mannagh, Rovers' Raven Jolliffe and Wangaratta's Jamie Anderson also featured.

Myrtleford's Lachie Dale and Albury's Lachie Taylor-Nugent kicked three goals.

McDonald and Byron Barry were MPN's best.