Altona will live to fight another day in the Western Region Football League division 1.
The Vikings came back from nine points down at three-quarter time to beat Albion by one point at J.R. Parsons Reserve.
Altona seemed to be coasting at half-time, leading by 30 points. But Albion produced one of its best quarters of the year in the third, piling on 6.3 to zip to take an unlikely lead.
Altona found the only goal of the last quarter and it was enough to win. Altona now faces newly promoted Caroline Springs at J.K. Grant Reserve on Saturday.
Spotswood all but secured its finals double shot after a 49-point win over Wyndhamvale at Wyndhamvale South Oval. The Woodsmen were too good after half-time, piling on nine goals to four.
Woodsmen captain Murray Boyd continued his stellar form with the best-on-ground display, while Charles Bettiol kicked four goals.
In division 2, West Footscray claimed its second win of the campaign, downing Albanvale by 12 points.
Leading by two points going into the final term, the Roosters kicked a wayward 2.12 to 2.2 in the last quarter, but it was enough to secure victory on the road at Robert Bruce Oval.
Newport Power put up a real fight against ladder leader North Footscray, but could not finish the job in a 17-point loss at Bryan Martyn Oval.
An upset was a possibility when the Power led by 26 points at half-time, but the Devils finished stronger with a seven-goal-to-one second half, a comeback inspired by Sam Denby-Blake, Adam Petridis and Blake Pilkington.
North Footscray will do battle with in-form Manor Lakes at Hansen Reserve on Saturday, while the Power entertains West Footscray with the winner to keep their finals hopes alive.
Yarraville-Seddon suffered a 13-point loss to third-placed Manor Lakes at Howqua Reserve.
In division 3, Parkside beat Braybrook by 157 points at Henry Turner Reserve, while Laverton Magpies were thrashed by Sunshine Heights by 99 points.
