Spotswood suffered a heavy 62-point loss to reigning premiers Deer Park in the Western Region Football League division 1 at John McLeod Oval on Saturday.
The Woodsmen were on the back foot from the outset, trailing by 13 points at quarter-time and the margin blew out.
As a result, the Woodsmen have tumbled to fifth on the ladder.
The Woodsmen face a must-win game against Hoppers Crossing on Saturday to stay in touch with the sides battling it out for the finals double chance.
Altona regained its form over the past two weeks. The Vikings backed up with a 28-point win over last year’s runners-up Sunshine at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
Patrick Rose, who was in hospital with tonsillitis a week ago, showed no ill effects as he kicked seven goals, taking his season tally to a league-best 54.
Altona, sitting third, will travel to Albion on Saturday.
In division 2, Parkside had a 12-point win over West Footscray in a cracking encounter at Henry Turner Reserve.
Four goals to Jesse Fortune and three to Brent Kelly were crucial for the Parksiders in a low scoring game.
At the other end, Darcy McCallum kicked six of West Footscray’s 10 goals for the day.
Newport Power’s finals’ hopes took a hit with a 62-point defeat to Yarraville-Seddon and North Footscray had a second consecutive loss, going down by two points to Point Cook.
In division 3, Braybrook was led by eight goals from Paul Cutajar-Milosev in a 49-point win over Glen Orden.
Laverton was no match for the undefeated Wyndham Suns, going down by 68 points.
