Just a week after knocking over premiership aspirants Skipton, the Grasshoppers coughed up a golden opportunity to break eight points clear inside the top five.

Instead, the 41 point defeat has relegated them to fifth place on the ladder and allowed Illabarook to close to within .53 of a per cent of the Grasshoppers in sixth.

The loss was Navarre's sixth in-a-row to the Bulldogs.

Joint coach Damien Scott said things looked good after his team kicked three goals to one into a stiff breeze in the first term.

However, it was in the second and third quarters that the home side stamped its authority on the match, booting 11 goals to one before three quarter time. Navarre responded by outscoring Illabarook in the final quarter, but their run had come far too late.

``The conditions were shocking, the wind was a good five or six goals wind,'' Scott, who was named in the best said.

``They just wanted it more and a few of us thought it was just going to happen I think.

``We took the foot off the pedal and that's all they needed.''

Scott said his team had put itself back in the finals pack with Saturday's loss, but remained optimistic of making the top five.

Scott said `unsung hero' David Heenan was easily his team's best, while Heath Hemley in defence was also impressive. Forward Jacob Piccoli booted two goals.

Navarre fielded an undermanned outfit without Ben Crichton, Ash Driscoll, Brice Tickner and Louis Hannett all missing, which was further compounded when Nic Murphy left the field during the middle stages of the match after a hard knock to his rib/back region. Jarrod Bibby was also out after sustaining a serious knee injury against Skipton.

Lexton has ended Natte-Bealiba's run for a finals berth with a 29 point win at Natte Yallock, 16.13 (109) to 12.8 (80).

The Swans looked good early, kicking eight goals with the wind in the first term after winning the toss.

Lexton narrowed the gap on half time, but it was the third term in which the Tigers took control.

Six goals into the wind left Natte-Bealiba's season in tatters.

Eamon Johnson booted a match high five goals for Lexton.

Brent Mortlock was one of the best for the Swans.

Skipton has predictably returned to the winners list with a 65 point drubbing of Ararat Eagles, 12.15 (87) to 3.4 (22).

Rokewood-Corindhap overcame Carngham-Linton on Saturday and has sealed top spot on the ladder.

The Grasshoppers took until the final term to get on top, but finished stronger to run out 13 point winners, 12.12 (84) to 10.11 (71).