The Brumbies' 33-14 victory over Western Force has lifted Stephen Larkham's side to second with their rivals now languishing in ninth.
ACT's hopes of a top-two finish - and potentially a straight run of home finals - were kept alive by a late flurry of tries as Ollie Sapsford and Liam Bowron crossed in the final 10 minutes.
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Here's what we learned:
The Brumbies aren't just dreaming of a top-three finish anymore - they're going for top two or even the whole hog.
Replacement prop Bowron's 80th minute rolling maul try lifted ACT to 39 competition points, two points clear of the Crusaders and just two behind the top-ranked Chiefs.
The Brumbies have a Round 15 bye but enjoy back-to-back home games against the Reds and Cruasders either side with 10 competition points up for grabs.
In theory, ACT could yet finish minor premiers should the Chiefs fall away but they'll have to rely on Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders to do them a real favour.
Regardless, Round 16's Brumbies-Crusaders looms a top-two decider and the Ponies have their noses in front.
For those catching up, Noah Lolesio was stretchered off with a reported spinal injury 19 minutes into the first half.
It was initially unclear if Lolesio had suffered a back, hip or leg injury attempting to prevent a Force counterruck near his own try line.
Stan Sport commentators gave updates throughout the game on Lolesio's condition, reporting his movement of arms and legs and return of feeling to extremities.
The Brumbies did well to shake off the loss of their chief playmaker but face a nervous wait to hear more from the medical staff.
Australian fans also face a nervous wait ahead of the Lions Series with Lolesio and Wallabies teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii suffering spinal scares this weekend.
This game won't go down in anyone's classic playlist but hats off to both the Brumbies and Force for their dogged displays of multiphase attack and defence.
ACT were relentless with ball in hand, carrying 218 times to the Force's meagre 72 and finishing up with 69% possession and 66% territory.
Yet Stephen Larkham's men couldn't put the Force away until the 71st minute with their hosts tackling like men possessed - 309 tackles made with just 15 missed.
Six Force players made over 20 tackles with Jeremy Williams (32 tackles, none missed), Tom Robertson (30 tackles, none missed) and Ryan Coxon (20 tackles, none missed + three turnovers) the standouts.
Centre Hamish Stewart also excelled in his defensive work with 21 tackles and a pilfer.
Don't think for a second the Wallabies #9 jersey is a two-horse race.
While Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott might have been preferred by Joe Schmidt through 2024, Ryan Lonergan and Nic White continued to stake their claims with key roles on Saturday night.
White's 22-minute cameo showcased his ability to steer a side and laid the platform for Grealy's 67th minute try out wide.
However Lonergan's poise in Lolesio's absence was vital and the Brumbies couldn't have won without him running the show from the ruck base.
Joe Schmidt's got plenty of selection headaches already but this halfback headache is a welcome one.
While that aforementioned halfback jersey should have selectors in a pickle, Joe Schmidt should have an easier time picking his fullback.
Wallabies incumbent Tom Wright may not have found the chalk this Super Rugby Pacific season but that shouldn't stop him from being the first name down for Australia's Lions Series opener.
Wright's try-creating class shone on Saturday, first in his laying on an pinpoint pass for Corey Toole just before half time before later creating space for Ollie Sapsford's decisive score.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii might be stealing the limelight as a fullback options but Wright's knack of shaking a tackler on the overs line and putting his outside backs way is second to none.
