Crossword Genius

Played the lead that wiped out coppers (6,3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

topped the bill

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'played' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'lead that wiped out coppers' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'lead' could be 'top' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'top' is located in the answer.
'coppers' could be 'p' and 'p' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for topped the bill that I've seen before include "advertising a show" , "Starred" , "Made the major contribution" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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