Lavington officially destroyed Yarrawonga's finals hopes with a scrappy 31-point win.
The Panthers' 9.17 (71) to 6.4 (40) effort at home means the Pigeons are three wins out of the top five at the halfway mark.
The defending premiers have now worked their way to within a win of fifth-placed Wodonga Raiders.
Former interleague defender Brant Dickson and gun forward Aidan Johnson combined superbly in the ruck.
"Since having Timmy Hanna out, I've probably played 60 to 70 per cent in the ruck," Johnson suggested.
Johnson was the club's only multiple goalkicker with two, while runaway best and fairest Marty Brennan joined midfielder Tom Hargreave in the best.
Matt Casey landed three goals, with ruckman Lach Howe producing a wholehearted performance, while backmen Logan Morey and Leigh Masters also featured.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The Pigeons failed to score in the third quarter.
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