The reigning champion won 35-34 to record its seventh win of the season to be equal on points with third-placed Katunga.
Amy Carter shot 19 goals, while Emily Buzza added 16.
Strathmerton assistant coach Carter said it was an all-round effort that got it over the line.
“It was a very intense game for four quarters,” Carter said.
“But we knew it was going to be tough, so it was really good to get the win.
“Our defensive pressure all across the court and our experience of players that were on court (helped us get the win).”
Carter said the group lifted at the right time.
“All seven players that we used did their job,” she said.
“Everyone lifted in the last part of the final quarter and everyone did their job rather than anyone standing out."
The loss was the Rovers’ third and they fall to seventh spot on a log-jammed table where two wins separate first and seventh.
In another finals-shaping clash, Jerilderie knocked off Katamatite by 15 goals to return to the winners’ list after three consecutive losses.
The Demons won 46-31 to move up to fifth on the ladder, recording their seventh win from 10 matches.
Despite losing two of their past three, the Tigers still hold top spot with a superior percentage over Waaia, with both having 8-2 records.
The Bombers recorded their eighth win with a 59-24 result over Rennie.
Tungamah's fifth win came at the expense of Katandra.
The Bears won 47-32, leaving the Kats two games out of the eight.
Picola United now sits half-a-game from third spot after easily accounting for Berrigan.
The Blues quadrupled the Saints’ score, winning 52-13 to record win six.
The team also drew with Mathoura early in the season, meaning the Blues’ percentage, which is the lowest of the teams in the eight, will not affect their top-four chances.
The Timbercutters have now won two of their past three games, after keeping Yarroweyah winless.
The Grasshoppers were no match for Mathoura, which won 64-14.
Timbercutters coach Rita Howard said her team was starting to build some momentum in the middle stages of the season.
“It was a great win,” Howard said.
“We stuck to our game plan and the girls worked really hard and it paid dividends.
“They have been working really hard at training and on Saturdays and they are starting to find their groove.
“We had a couple of key players out last week, so that didn’t help us against Waaia, but they were all back on deck this week.”
Despite the scoreline, Howard said the Grasshoppers had their moments.
“It wasn’t an easy game at all,” she said.
“Yarroweyah were competitive at times, so it was a good run.”
Mathoura is now a game-and-a-half outside the top eight, with three-and-a-half wins from nine matches.
In the other clash, Tocumwal kept its finals hopes alive with a big win over Blighty.
The Bloods won 55-20 and are in ninth position with four wins.
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