In a desperate scrap, Talbott’s boot proved the defining moment, but not without a few more heart flutters in the final moments. 

Figtree were handed a free kick from the resulting centre bounce when the Suns had too many men in the square. 

But the Roos couldn’t find the lifeline they needed, going down 10.20 (80) to 11.7 (73) at Figtree Oval. The Suns win came after injured assistant coach Michael Coate took over the reins, while James Walton was struck down with illness. 

“I was pretty confident when we got the late goal, but there were a few nervous moments in the end,” Coate said. “We stuck to our systems and they held up when we needed them to.

“We’ve been working hard on controlling the game in the last five minutes of a quarter or game, it will give us a bit of confidence for finals.”

Meanwhile, Kiama won by 118 points against Bomaderry but bizarrely still conceded top spot to premiers Wollongong Lions. 

Aaron Cole booted nine for the game and Troy Boatfield four, as Bomaderry were totally outgunned. 

However, the Lions recorded an even bigger 147-point win on Friday against winless Nowra-Albatross.

Both teams have 15-1 records this year.

The Wollongong Bulldogs tuned up for their finals campaign with a 19.20 (134) to 3.0 (18) win over Northern Districts.