Jim Gordon reviews the weekend matches played in the Mallee Football League.

Jim Gordon previews the upcoming round 2 matches in the Mallee Football League.

Jim Gordon reviews all the matches played in round one of the Mallee Football League.

Results and best players from netball matches played this weekend in the Mallee Football League.

A best on ground performance by Heyfield's Nic Dinsdae steered the Kangaroos to a shock victory against raging flag favourites Rosedale in Saturdays North Gippsland Football Netball League Grand Final.

Dinsdale one of the Kangaroos youngest players at 16 years of age led from the front as he worked hard all day, throwing his body on the line and emerging from the bottom of packs lighting up the forward line and midfield in a match winning performance.

The Kangaroos dynamo was not alone in a true team effort the Kangaroos winning the game when it was in the balance in the final term booting 6.1 (37) to come from two goals down at the start of the final term.
Trailing by one point at the final change of ends the Blues fought hard to regain a 13 point lead as they bolted away to in the early minutes of the final term, but it wasn't enough as the Kangaroos sealed consecutive majors and went about building an unassailable lead to claim their first win in four encounters against the Blues 14.9 (93) to 10.15 (75).
Blues Justin Emery pitted against Josh Neille, Heyfield defender Daniel Brown in Andrew Flanigan's hip pocket, Chris King tracking Adrian Cox and Sean Humphries shoulder-to-shoulder with Jon Cantwell. . . . It was all so appetizing at the opening bounce.
The Kangaroos burst out of the blocks registering the first major through coach Adrian Cox which was quickly followed by another in the opening minutes of the contest, before Rosedale responded through forward live wire Ross McDermott.
Heyfield got the quick reply before McDermott was at it again this time setting up teammate Brad Caldwell.
A centring kick by Heyfield's Jesse Bedggood set up veteran Brett Szabo, however a 50 metre penalty for an indiscretion off the ball saw Bedggood Slot through the Kangaroos fourth straight in a high scoring 20 minutes of play.

The Dowse brothers Mitch and Nic made an early impact of proceedings, Mitch directing traffic as he amassed possessions setting up many passages of play. Cox failed to finish off the hard work of Dowse, moving the ball with speed the Blues gained momentum from half back drilling the ball into Flanigan who had his second fort the term.

Flanigan was at it again as the battle against defender Stevens looked to sit in Flanigan's favour, the bigger body of the Blue forward outmuscling the Kangaroos backline. His third for the term handed the Blues a 10 point buffer.

The forward of the term was at it again with another ahead of the quarter time siren.

McDermott had an opportunity to quickly extended the margin in the opening seconds of the second term but his shot at goal sprayed the face of goal. Dale Fleming broke through five minutes into the term with the first major to the Blues, as the ball then moved back and forward between the two half backlines.

In a David and goliath style battle, the Kangaroos where hitting their opponent and the ball hard as they worked hard to contain Rosedales run and drive which was shown in patches by their fleet footed on ball brigade of King, Emery and Darcy Murray.

Humphries shot at goal from outside 50 metres missed, as the Blues drew their lead out to 22 points as the Kangaroos struggled to find the goals. The sides sole goal frot he term coming through Jesse Jackway as the Rosedale defence led by Dom Keating and Jed Hickey kept the Heyfield's forwards in close check.

While they didn't have the impact that they would have liked on the score board, Heyfield had began to win a number of crucial contests around the ground as they looked to get back into the contest and take control. Manning up, playing man on man at the contest the Kangaroos held the ball tight and shut down Rosedale's run.

The premiership third term was exactly that, the match winning 25 minutes of football which appeared to turn the game in Heyfields favour.

Squandering a number of opportunities in front of goal, Rosedale failed to score a major for the term registering five behinds in a tough quarter of football.

Rosedales McDermott missed the Blues opening shot at goal to start the second half, while Mitch Dowse drew the margin back to 11 points following his first major.

In an ominous sign for Heyfield, Cox started to make his mark and the signs continued to shine in the Kangaroos favour as they found themselves one man up following the yellow carding of Rosedales Jeremy Reid during the term. Dinsdale only added to the Blues coaches headaches his major bringing the margin back to four points.

Kanagroos defender Jordon McMillan worked hard to keep McDermott in check as he threatened to cause more damage in front of goal, but McMillian, Brown and Jesse Leeds worked tirelessly in the third term setting the Kangaroos up as they let little through the defensive 50.

There was no questioning the desperation, Dinsdales tackle in the goal square saved a guaranteed Rosedale major. Rosedales Craig Bourne took a strong courageous mark moving back with the flight of the ball halting Heyfields run forward.

But it was the Blues lost opportunities in front og goal that left the door ajar for the Kangaroos who were not content in lying down. Cox lifted his intensity throwing his body around, coming up with the ball time and time again the Dowse brothers and Dinsdale were ball magnets, with Brenton Dinsdale a standout as Heyfield began to dominate the play.

King captains goal broke the tide of six straight behinds for the Blues to start the final quarter. Caldwell stood tall to pull down a mighty mark as the Blues looked to make it two from two but his shot skewed of the side of the boot. Working hard to keep the ball in the forward line locking in the play, Fleming was rewarded a free kick and made no mistake sealing another as the margin blew out to 15 points

Dinsdale wore down different players in a desperate passage of play, which saw Cox swoop on the ball and find Mitch Dowse who added another for the Kanagroos. Jack Woodland levelled scores with this major, before Matt Bedggood but the underdogs in front.

Rosedale responded Flanigan outmuscled his opponent Brown, to again level scores as the clock counted down. A strong kick and placement by the Kangaroos midfielder found Jesse Bedgood whose shot at goal just cleared the reach of the Blues defenders on the goal line.

Jesse Jackway got the reply for Heyfield before Jesse Bedggood added another in a five minute purple patch for the Kangaroos which left the Blues flat footed and wanting as they quickly found themselves three goals down.

Heyfield's youngsters were instrumental in the side's victory. The Kangaroos rotating engine room of the Dowse brothers, Dinsdale, Josh Neille, Dave Kelly and Humphries presented all day, with Jesse Bedggood the barometer of the sides charge on the scoreboard in the final term.
The Kangaroos defence led by Leeds had reassurance when under stress. Whether it was Brown's timely spoils, Brenton Dinsdale dropping back into marking contests or McMillan on the overlap for a relieving hand pass.
Rosedale challenged with their characteristic midfield control, fast breaks and, at times, audacious and adventurous ball-sharing by the forwards, particularly Fleming, McDermott and Flanigan as the side looked to remain in the contest in the dying stages of the match.
SALE CITY's best on ground Luke Bird aided the Dogs to a 20 point win over minor premiers Heyfield in the reserves final.
A five goal to one final term guaranteed the victory, after what had been a tight goal for goal tussle, 10.11 (77) to 7.9 (51).
The Dogs were simply too strong in the final quarter, Heyfield challenged on a number of occasions as they came to life but couldn't match the Dogs who booted away on the scoreboard.
Finishing the season as minor premiers after an impeccable season SALE CITY where handed their first defeat of the season by Saturdays opposition TTU in the thirds final.
Bursting out of the blocks the Dogs slammed home six majors to start the contest, before a goal less second term allowed the Bombers back in the contest at half time. But that would be as close as the Bombers would get as the Dogs added 11 goals to three to cruise home comfortable winners 17.16 (118) to 8.3 (51).
The premiership Dogs receiving their medallions and cup from former Australian Football League premiership player Collingwood's Peter Daicos.

By Lauren Carey

The outstanding 2012 Walpeup Underbool side did a demolition job on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and are the Mallee Football League Premiers for the fourth time with a thumping 109 point win at Rainbow.

The Roos systematically tore the Tigers apart in a one-sided affair that saw them kick a match winning ten goals in the first term whilst holding the shell-shocked Tigers scoreless. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers simply ran out of legs after a gruelling preliminary final win in a howling gale the week before against Hopetoun.

This was the first grand final that Jeparit Rainbow has hosted since the formation of the current Mallee Football League. It should have a been a great spectacle. Conditions were perfect with a light breeze favouring the northern end of the ground, the reserves game had been a cracker won in extra time by Walpeup Underbool and there was a large crowd in attendance paying $13,575. Unfortunately, at no stage in the afternoon did the sun shine for the Tigers.

Walpeup Underbool were too skilled, too strong and too quick in moving the ball around for a strangely flat Sea Lake Nandaly side that was never in the game right from the opening bounce. Walpeup Underbool gave the crowd an outstanding exhibition of high marking, precision kicking and play on football in a relentless display of all that is good in our great game.

The knockout blow came early in terms of the game, but late in the second quarter when the brilliant David Piasente scored three goals in the space of three minutes. The Roos were already travelling very comfortably when Piasente ran in from thirty metres to goal and was felled after he had kicked the ball and received another kick from the square. Trouble brewed after that second goal, Stephen Lyons was sent off and Piasente was gifted a third. There was no coming back for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers from here.

It is difficult to name outstanding players for the Walpeup Underbool side as they had at least half of their side miles ahead of the nearest Tiger. Key Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers playmakers such as Col Durie, Stephen Lyons and Troy Ferrier when they did get the ball, were nowhere near as effective as they usually are.

Conversely the Roos had stars everywhere. Their defence was tight and mean, they won across the centre and had a dominant forward line that the Tigers could not contain. It was a wonderful all over the ground effort by the Roos.

Josh Charles had a great game for the Roos dominating in the ruck. Charles fed the ball to the Walpeup Underbool rovers all day, where David Piasente, Luke Nathan and Sam Macdonald to name but a few, were able to push the ball forward with regular monotony.

Walpeup Underbool were brilliant in the first term and took a 64 point lead into the first break, but it was in the second quarter that the fun began for the Roos. In this term the Tigers dropped a man back in an effort to block the Roos' run. This did have the effect of drying up scoring opportunities for brief passages of time, but often it lead to a Walpeup Underbool player left to his own devices in their back half, or across the centre, and if a Roo got the ball the damage was swift and telling.

Joshua Stone did a lot of damage in this quarter. He roamed free across the centre and half forward and had a lot of time to use his pace and skill.

Time, and plenty of it was a factor all over the ground as the Tigers looked slow and loose. Early in this term Walpeup Underbool kicked out from full back after a rare Tiger score, Chris Lynch found Travis Latta from the kick out and Latta had so much time and space that he considered two different options before selecting a third. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were already looking lethargic and well off the pace.

At one time in that rampaging first term, Ryan Anderson, who started the game brilliantly, gathered the ball at half back and ran the length of the field bouncing the ball three times before slotting it through from 45m. No Tiger was anywhere near him at any stage.

Not long before Anderson's solo effort, the Roos gave the fans on the clubrooms wing a display of their very best skills when they ran the ball out of the backline and around the flanks through a series of lightning quick handballs between Stone, Chris Chubb and Jim Wakefield before Chubb slotted it through from an angle. The Roos were all class.

The Walpeup Underbool backline led by Travis Latta and Jim Wakefield were well on top all day, spoiling and running the ball forward with ease. Every time the Roos pushed forward they looked dangerous with Kane Munro leading and jumping into contests and if he didn't mark the ball, other Roos were there waiting and hungry to score.

Sea Lake tried to get a bit of respectability out of the final term, playing the style of footy that won them the preliminary final, but it was all a bit too late. Walpeup Underbool are worthy champions and a class above all other sides in the MFL this year.

By Jim Gordon

Two-time reigning premiers Sale City where bundled out of flag contention at the final hurdle following the sides 35 point defeat at the hands of HEYFIELD.
Aiming to advance to their third straight Grand Final the Dogs went into the contest bolstered by the return of premiership players Jake Schuback and Jake Milham, who added fire power to a forward structure which coach Nick Hider had described as "not balanced or clinical" following the sides semi final victory.

Yet to drop the points on the three previous occasions the sides have met, Heyfield would have been wary of the addition of Schuback and Milham to the Dogs line-up but didn't look phased early in the contest. Flexing their muscle two weeks prior in the sides qualifying final clash, the Kangaroos were again slow to burst out of the blocks with City drilling forward from the opening bounce.

Following on from a standout individual performance last Sunday, City's Joel Brayshaw opened the scoring in the first two minutes after fleet footed Rowan Bell drilled the ball into Brayshaw in the pocket. Adam Walker looked to register City's second minutes later but his shot sprayed the front of goal. Schuback opened his account with a goal from the edge of the centre square as the reigning premiers looked up and about.
City came again before the Kangaroos' defence slowly moved the ball forward, Dowse combining with coach Adrian Cox in the goal square. The coach slotted through Heyfield's first major eight minutes into the contest, before a strong juggling mark in front of goal saw Mitch Dowse boot his first of three for the day to reel the margin back to two points.
The scoring dried up in the windy conditions, the ball moving back and forward between the two half backlines as neither side was able to break through the oppositions defence as errors riddled passages of play in a scrappy 10 minutes of play.
Schuback broke the tussle adding his second and final goal for the day in the dying stages of the first term to hand the Dogs a nine point break at the first siren.

Long and direct was the order from Cox to his chargers at his quarter time addressing and the side did exactly that. Neille's shot at goal held up in the wind to travel out of bounds, with Cox missing another before Dowse put the Kangaroos in front with Szabo extending the lead further.

City's defenders struggled to move the ball forward, opting to keep the ball in the dead pocket as the Kangaroos' forwards forced the turnovers and looked to extend the margin further.

Cox made it two in the row as he built on a handy buffer ahead of half time with the Kangaroos' kicking into the wind. City's Tom Wilson broke Heyfield's dominance, a 50 metre penalty sending the ball forward into the Dogs forward line to goal.

Two quick goals after the main change extended Heyfield's half time lead. Cox might have been ineligible to win the Sel Burley medal at Wednesdays leagues vote count but he put in one almighty performance on the preliminary final stage to single handily set his side up for a grand final berth.

A free to Jesse Jackway following an indiscretion by City defender Michael Walsh set the ball up in the air for the leading pack, with Dowse throwing the ball on the boot to snap at goal from 10 metres out.

Rowan Bell worked hard with Hider to lift the Dogs, but they could do little to eat away at the margin as the Kangaroos' kept coming at them. A late goal to Chris Fleming in the third term brought the margin back to 20 points.

The final term was a formality, Heyfield holding strong in the final 25 minutes to book their first grand final appearance since their premiership in 2009.
The Dogs had a number of opportunities to build on the lead in the second term, but it was the Kangaroos key play makers which stepped up on the big stage. Coach Cox making his presence felt early in the contest, his general role in the midfield while pushing forward he found plenty of the ball in front of goal. Josh Neille and Dowse created play on the ball while the sides backline led by assistant coach Jesse Leeds withstood the Dogs forward pressure to ensure that the Kangaroos booked a berth in the season's penultimate contest.
Smarting after dropping their semi final clash last Saturday the Kangaroos marked their intentions in the second term to establish a handy three goal buffer at the main change, one they extended out to 20 points at the final change of ends with the sides with late goals to Cox and Dowse extending the final margin, 14.15 (99) to 10.4 (64).
Cox kicked a game high seven majors with Dowse finishing the match with three. The Kangaroos backline were rock solid and restricted City's forward playmakers to get a hold of the ball. Heyfield's Matt Goodwin wore Schuback like a glove, Brenton Dinsdale was a standout as was Daniel Brown who out muscled the Dogs potent forward line holding them at bay.
Creating run from half back the Kangaroos' back six were sublime in setting up play down field with Brenton Dinsdales calculated running from half back an added bonus for setting up the Kangaroos forward line.
Hider had a big game on the back of a stellar two months, Mitch Bennett was damaging running through the middle of the ground off half back, Marty McDonough was a lone ranger in defence with Tim McMillan a standout in the ruck contest.
In the RESERVES minor premiers Heyfield recorded a 16 point victory to advance to the Grand Final to meet second place and their Semi Final opponents Sale City.
Sale City THRIDS joined the clubs Reserve side in the Grand Final following victory over reigning premier Churchill, winning 9.17 (71) to 7.9 (51). The Dogs will meet TTU who in the Semi Finals handed the Dogs their first defeat of the season.

SENIORS GRAND FINAL:
Rosedale V Heyfield, Saturday 15th September,

By Lauren Carey

Jim Gordon reviews the weekends Preliminary Final match in the Mallee Football League.

Hopetoun take on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Blackburn Park in Ouyen this Saturday. The prize for the winner of what should be a titanic battle, is the right to have a crack at the formidable Walpeup Underbool outfit in the MFL Grand Final next week.

Both teams bring very good form to this game. The Devils defeated Beulah in the final home and away game of the season to win the double chance and they were by no means disgraced in going down to the Roos in the second semi. In the elimination first semi final the Tigers won a tight and tough contest against a very strong Beulah side.

Nevertheless Hopetoun deserve to be favourites in this game. They have already accounted for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers three times this season, they have a match winning superstar in Kain Robins at centre half forward and a midfield in very good touch.

Unfortunately for the Devils, they will lose Quentin Willmott this week with a broken foot. This multiplies Hopetoun's rucking woes as he has been their first choice ruckman and has been in some very good form recently. With Willmott out, the Hopetoun midfield will find themselves under more pressure.

Col Durie was great last week, just when Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers needed him. Durie will be faced with the combined talent of Luke Carr, Anthony Baker and Deek Roberts all of whom have had very good years.

Hopetoun did well last week to kick 18 goals against Walpeup Underbool considering that Bryce Wellington had little or no influence on the game. He will have to lift this week to give the Devils their best chance while Luke Milroy and Kain Robins will need to get amongst the goals once again. Tiger Steve Lyons will most likely go to the dangerous Robins.

Matt Wellington has added some experience and physical strength to the Devils' back line taking some of the pressure off Simon Cook and Ben Reid. Scott Heath and Dave Baulch continue their good form as the back six have settled down and work well together as a tight unit. With the Tigers missing Jarrod Arrentz and Corey Wight, it will make it a little easier for the Hopetoun backline.

The Devils should be able to continue their very good recent form and defeat Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and line up for another tilt at Walpeup Underbool. They had one hell of a go at the Roos last week and nothing short of that effort will be required against the Tigers who are a very experienced finals side and cannot be underestimated.

By Jim Gordon

Jim Gordon previews this weeks Mallee Football League Preliminary Final match.

Hopetoun take on Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Blackburn Park in Ouyen this Saturday. The prize for the winner of what should be a titanic battle, is the right to have a crack at the formidable Walpeup Underbool outfit in the MFL Grand Final next week.

Both teams bring very good form to this game. The Devils defeated Beulah in the final home and away game of the season to win the double chance and they were by no means disgraced in going down to the Roos in the second semi. In the elimination first semi final the Tigers won a tight and tough contest against a very strong Beulah side.

Nevertheless Hopetoun deserve to be favourites in this game. They have already accounted for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers three times this season, they have a match winning superstar in Kain Robins at centre half forward and a midfield in very good touch.

Unfortunately for the Devils, they will lose Quentin Willmott this week with a broken foot. This multiplies Hopetoun's rucking woes as he has been their first choice ruckman and has been in some very good form recently. With Willmott out, the Hopetoun midfield will find themselves under more pressure.

Col Durie was great last week, just when Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers needed him. Durie will be faced with the combined talent of Luke Carr, Anthony Baker and Deek Roberts all of whom have had very good years.

Hopetoun did well last week to kick 18 goals against Walpeup Underbool considering that Bryce Wellington had little or no influence on the game. He will have to lift this week to give the Devils their best chance while Luke Milroy and Kain Robins will need to get amongst the goals once again. Tiger Steve Lyons will most likely go to the dangerous Robins.

Matt Wellington has added some experience and physical strength to the Devils' back line taking some of the pressure off Simon Cook and Ben Reid. Scott Heath and Dave Baulch continue their good form as the back six have settled down and work well together as a tight unit. With the Tigers missing Jarrod Arrentz and Corey Wight, it will make it a little easier for the Hopetoun backline.

The Devils should be able to continue their very good recent form and defeat Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and line up for another tilt at Walpeup Underbool. They had one hell of a go at the Roos last week and nothing short of that effort will be required against the Tigers who are a very experienced finals side and cannot be underestimated.

By Jim Gordon

ROSEDALE and HEYFIELD will square off at Glengarry in a mighty North Gippsland Football Netball League clash with the winner advancing to the grand final.

Spectators will get an early taste of what may be to come on the third Saturday in September with both sides form throughout the season seeing them touted as potential premiership contenders.

There will be mixed emotions come Saturday, Rosedale coach Damien Birss is a four time North Gippsland Football premiership player with this week's rival Heyfield. Heyfield Football Netball Club President, John Tyquin said that while Damien is a huge part of our footy club, who played in four straight premierships early last decade he admits that come Saturday "he isn't a Heyfield person; he becomes the enemy until after the contest!"
Aiming to advance his side to their second penultimate round under his coaching reign, Birss may have mixed emotions around this week's contest but will be confident that his knowledge of various aspects of Heyfield's game will serve his side well.
The Blues have been at the fore front of the competition all season. Rosedale finishing one game clear of their nearest rival Sale City, with this week's opponent Heyfield a further game behind on the premiership ladder standings.
Speaking prior to the sides round 10 clash, Birss was realistic about his sides end of season prospects at the half way mark of the fixture.
"Just because we are on top of the ladder at the moment doesn't mean that we are the best team in the competition, we are working hard to be the best team, but we are fully aware that it don't play well against the top seven sides you will be beaten.

"We need to focus on aspects of our game, like making sure that we are strong at the footy, focus on delivering the ball into our forwards well while our backline needs to be on their game," he said.

And that is exactly what the Blues did, snapping Heyfield's five game winning streak with a blistering 80 point victory over the Kangaroos before winning a further six out of eight matches to seal the minor premiership title.

Nine weeks have passed since Rosedale and Heyfield last did battle. The Blues have had the wood over Kangaroos in 2012, with a 20 goal victory in the opening round. While there was plenty of hype and hope surrounding the eagerly awaited second contest but it failed to live up to all expectations with the ladder leaders Rosedale on song from the opening bounce.

However, Tyquin isn't worried by past results rather confident that the young side has further evolved and matured.
"The young guys have grown and matured as the year has gone on, with such a very young group you don't know what you are going to get each week.
"We played Rosedale on both occasions relatively early on in the season, some nine weeks have passed and the side have further developed," said Tyquin.
Speaking on behalf of coach Adrian Cox, the man at the helm of the club is realistic of the enormity of the challenge.
"It's a big challenge, the current crop of guys are trying to create their own history and to their credit the younger players on the list have carried the club this far and are ready to write their own destiny."
Going into the contest full of confidence following Saturday's victory over two-time reigning premier Sale City, Heyfield won't be getting too far ahead of themselves.
"We won't be underestimating Rosedale they are the gun team, they have taken all before them, they have a good coach and are a good team, it's going to be a great challenge," said Tyquin.
FIRST SEMI FINAL - SALE CITY v COWWARR
Two-time reigning premier SALE CITY find themselves for the first time in three seasons set to navigate a different path if they are to achieve premiership glory for a third straight year.
But before they can look too far ahead, they need to put a halt to the Saints who are on the march having won their past seven straight games including a five point thriller in the cut throat elimination final.
Not dissimilar to last season's attack on the silverware, COWWARR have won nine of their past 10 matches with followers of the league on notice of the threat the Saints pose. One of the inform sides in the competition powering through the second half of the fixture accounting for fellow finalists Rosedale, Heyfield and Sale City, coach Cory Bannister will be fully aware that past results account for little ahead of Sundays match.
Putting his side on notice, Dogs coach Nick Hider was disappointed with the final result on Saturday, "We were beaten in a fair few areas of the game that we pride ourselves on."
"We couldn't hold on in the last quarter when they got a run on, the game was on the line and they wanted it more which was disappointing.
"It is going to be tough from here, we have to get over Cowwarr we cant look too far ahead just taking it one week at a time," said Hider.
Hider notes that his side will need to get back to basics on the training track this week if they are to counteract the Saints, with the coach's fighting words highlighting that if there is another performance by his side like that of last weekend in the qualifying final then they will have the same result.
"We have to improve in several areas our attack on the contested footy is one of those areas, when the ball is in dispute we need to get our hands dirty and get in there.
"It's really the fundamentals that we need to improve in - back to basics, our run and carry of the ball, we need to use our skills, stick our tackles and get our hands on the footy first.
"Our genuine ball winners are not in form, they haven't been for weeks. As a club we need to stand up when our backs are against the wall."
The dual premiership coach knows too well the threat that Cowwarr pose but takes confidence from the fact that his side has failed to drop two matches in a row over their reign of the competition.
"We haven't lost two in a row for the past three years, we always rebound strongly but fully recognise that Cowwarr are going to be tough opposition," said Hider.
"They play footy how it should be played, hard and fair.
"They have the best back six in the competition which generates plenty of runoff half back. Their small forwards are very effective they have nearly the best on-baller in the league in Luke Cooper and Paul Joyce have been giving them first bite of the ball in the ruck.
"Sunday will be a test of character for the side, we have been reasonably spoilt in recent years so if the side is to advance through to next week then we will need to go to the next level and step it up."
WEEK TWO FINALS:
SECOND SEMI FINAL -Rosedale V Heyfield, Saturday 1st September, Glengarry
FIRST SEMI FINAL - Sale City V Cowwarr, Sunday 2nd September, Churchill

By Lauren Carey