Two sides jockeying around the top eight clashed at Picola Recreation Reserve and it looked as if the higher-placed Blues would run away with things after a clinical first quarter, the host up 18-9 at the break.
But Barooga refused to go away and came close to reversing the scoreline in the second, shaving Picola’s lead to two goals.
Both sides threw everything at a critical third quarter and it was the Blues who got the best of it, extending the lead to five, and they would close things out in the final term to take the points 46-38.
A two-game lull is now firmly in the rearview mirror for the Blues, who improve to 6-2, a result only good enough for seventh place on an unbalanced league table.
One of the sides ahead of them is the 7-1 Waaia, which Picola will visit in the next round at Waaia Recreation Reserve.
Katamatite v Mathoura
Mathoura suffered another defeat on Saturday, handled comfortably by Katamatite 61-23.
Playing in possession continues to be a point of weakness for the Timbercutters, which only scored seven goals in the first half and two in the opening quarter.
The side has scored 39 fewer goals than any other club through the opening eight rounds.
Although its percentage improved slightly relative to its nearest rival Blighty, Mathoura remains on the base of the table.