Reigning premiers CHURCHILL climbed back into the top five for the first time in three weeks following the side's thrilling one point victory over Heyfield.
For the second week running last year's grand finalists Heyfield dropped the points at home in a contest which ebbed and flowed. Registering the opening major through Hamish Towns, Churchill felt the raft of Heyfield's forwards who slammed home six unanswered majors to take a commanding 31 point lead into the first break.
Former St Kilda footballer and Heyfield junior Matt Ferguson pulled on his former home clubs jumper and was among the goals early along with Joel Dinsdale.
Churchill's Nick Campbell and Towns halted the Kangaroos run early in the second stanza, before Travis Brighton made it three in a row to the visitors as they reeled the margin back to two straight kicks.
In a mirror image to the first term it would be Churchill that kept the scoreboard ticking over registering six majors to one to take a three point margin into the long change.
The long break didn't halt Churchill's momentum their three point buffer quickly blown out with majors to James Allan and Campbell extending the lead to 20 points. Heyfield was given some reprieve when Towns appeared to injure his hamstring in the third term, up until that point he had booted three majors and was providing a handful around goals.
Trailing by less than two kicks Heyfield dug deep in the final term, Andrew Lambie spurred his side on as they kept the visitor's goal less and mounted a challenge on the scoreboard. Jesse Bedggood's third major levelled scores, before a late shot at goal by Churchill registered a behind to snatch the win 11.14 (80) to 11.13 (79).
Churchill's Jarrod Broadbent was a standout, captain Chris Williams was instrumental, with the wise heads of experienced campaigners Leigh McDonald and coach Allan Chandler settling the side when the game was in the balance.
Lambie was judged best a field for the Kangaroos, with Tom McMillan and Sean Humphries solid contributors. The loss resulting in Heyfield dropping out of the top five to sixth place.
In the top of the table clash SALE CITY laid the foundation for its, 14.13 (97) to 10.8 (68) win over Rosedale with a barnstorming seven goal to two premiership term.
Trailing by 11 points in a tight hard fought opening half, the home side clicked into gear seizing an opportunity to break clear not only on the scoreboard but the premiership ladder standings, the Dogs turning a deficit into a three goal lead at the final change.
Led by Nick Grainger who returned to the senior's lineup with a bag of six, along with four to Mitch Bennett, it was the high flying younger brigade that caused headaches for the competitions number one ranked defensive unit.
The going didn't get any easier in the final term, the Dogs again convincingly outscoring the visitors to boast an 11 goal to four second half return.
The second half challenge was orchestrated by yet another best on ground performance by engine room specialist David Piasente who kept in check his numerous opponents, Ben Chivers continued his solid showing of the past fortnight again being relegated the task of the tough tag on Rosedale's running brigade while Brad McKay speared the ball forward time and time again with precision to the safe hands of Grainger and Bennett.
For the Blues Brandon McDonald collected the three votes in a best on ground performance which saw him boot four majors, Corey Beaver was busy while Gerard Barnes created run off half back.
Robbie Ferguson (five majors) and Brad McBride (four) inspired COWWARR to victory over a persistent Glengarry who fought hard until the final siren.
Trailing by 44 points at the final change, the Magpies played a dogged brand of football in the final stages to keep the Saints goal less as they made a late charge on the scoreboard. Having booted five majors in the first three terms, Glengarry went shy of matching that tally with four in the final term reducing the final margin to 12.9 (81) to 9.7 (61).
The final margin was complimentary of Cowwarr who struggled to make an impact in the final term as the Magpies forwards pressured the composed Saints back line into a raft of errors which the bottom ranked side capitalised on.
Cowwarr's best on ground Shane Morgan led the back six who dominated the opening half of the contest before feeling the effects of the Magpies forwards. Trevor May got things going when he booted the Magpies second of the final term, he had a chance to make it two on the run but a long range shot at goal faded to the far side.
Saints defender James Pryde took a telling mark in the goal square to send the home side forward with Brett Street missing his chances of killing off the Magpies challenge. But they came again, Mitch Marino was instrumental for the Magpies with Alex Bermingham playing a major role throughout the contest and particular in the final term.
Defender Chris Wangman was dogged and kept with McBride, however it was McBride's ability to make a contest and bring the ball to ground to the crumbing rovers like Ferguson that paid dividends. Brock Rawson was busy in the engine room and like team mate Michael Diaz worked hard to contain the impact of Pat Tainsh, Street and Fergsuon.
For the Saints Tommy Pattle was among the play, with Kevin Stoddart and Brett Grieves receiving the coaches praise.
YARRAM has solidified its top-three hopes with a convincing victory over Woodside on the road.
It was far from one way traffic early in the piece with the Wildcats within arm's reach of the competitions
third ranked side at the first change, before the momentum swung the way of the Demons who skipped
away to a 19 point buffer by half time, a margin they would extend to 46 thanks to a dominating
premiership term.
Rebounding from last week's loss, Justin Staley stood tall in his side's 59 point victory, often taunting the
Wildcats defence who had no answer to his strength and positioning in the forward arc. Staley's goals
came from various avenues including contested marks, many of them against more than one opponent.
Some credit must go to his teammates though as they continuingly sat the ball out in front of him to mark.
Staley was aided by Grif Underwood who added three to his season tally, while Ryan Underwood and Chris
Coulthard chimed in with two apiece.
For the Wildcats Dylan Mc Lachlan was named best on ground, with captain Ryan Foat and coach Daniel
Risol standing out from the pack with Foat registering two majors.
The Bombers claimed their third straight win with TTU shaking off a persistent Tiger outfit.
Forced hard to earn the four points, Gormandale started strongly as they pressured the Bombers before
the home side through Chase Saunders and Stephen Hawkins impressed themselves in front of goals. The pair adding five and three goals respectively, with Hawkins taking his season tally to a league high 32 majors.
Hawkins was lively early booting two of his game high three majors in the opening term, before a late term major to Saunders to close out the opening quarter.
Gormandale's Paul Richards opened proceedings in the second with the first major coming some 15 minutes into the term, both sides rebounding back and fourth between the half back lines as the defensive pressure was sublime. The Bombers broke the momentum slotting through four unanswered including consecutives to Saunders before Brian Graham chipped in with one.
The third term was an arm wrestle both sides booting three majors a piece with the visitors through Brendan Solomon remaining very much in the contest ahead of the final break. Trailing by 23 points the Tigers heeded the advice of their coach as Jack Wyhoon and Luke McLean lead the charge, but as they had done all afternoon the Bombers responded with three on the run, before Gormandale lined up for three on the trot with McLean and Daniel Domaille among the scorers.
In the end the Bombers held on to take their season ledger to 7-3 and solidify their hold on a top five berth come seasons end.
By Lauren Carey