As the curtain was drawn on the final act called on the concluding round of the home and away fixture, all focus turned to who would lay claim to the sought after third, fourth and fifth positions with the equation of four into three leaving one on the outer.

In a fitting conclusion to the round, grand finalists of the last three seasons HEYFIELD held on by the narrowest of margins, one point, in an enthralling arm wrestle against one of this year’s biggest improvers TTU.

With the lead changing hands throughout the epic encounter it would come down to the second last kick of the day. Trailing by two points, TTU worked the ball from defence along the wing. Ricky Cochrane looking goal ward with his kick to centre half forward, it was then followed by a kick into the forward line.

With the clock counting down on the dying stages of the contest Rhys Martin came from behind over the pack to take the high flying mark. The mark setting the stage for Martin to become the hero or villain, with his set shot from 35 metres out on a slight angle looking to sail through the goal posts it was the Kangaroo’s defenders that got a hand to the ball, touching the ball over the line.

Kicking the ball out of defence Daniel Stevens would have the final kick of the day, the siren sounding with Heyfield holding on to seal victory, 16.10 (106) to17.3 (105).

It was a contest that had it all, the lead changing hands throughout, injuries to key players and important finals berths on the line. It all however came down to an epic 25 minute final term.

Arresting the momentum in their favour late in the third term to post a two point lead at the final change, the Kangaroos grinded it out in the early stages of the fourth. Registering the first of the quarter the Kangaroos experienced campaigners rose to the occasion, defender Andrew Lambie swept across half back chopping off the loose ball, while Adrian Cox made his impact felt when he was moved into the middle of the ground amassing centre clearances.

But as they looked to run away with the contest, Stephen Hawkins bounced through one of his four to bring the margin back to three points.

It was quickly answered, the Kangaroo’s midfield sending a spiralling kick into Jesse Jackway who registered his first major. They came again, patiently moving the ball forward before TTU led by Brian Graham created the turnover to send the Bombers forward for a goal.

The Bombers made it two in a row, and arrested back the lead through Cochrane. It was answered by another as the margin quickly blew out.

Both sides took their chances, Heyfield’s Matt Goodwin was instrumental in keeping Graham at bay wearing the play maker like a glove whilst also creating something from nothing. Goodwin combining with Nic Dowse as the Kangaroos pushed forward, the play didn’t come off however Jackway marked to reduce the margin to four points.

Making the most of the Bombers lack of tall timber in the ruck contest, thanks to both Luke Middleton and Jay Neagle both going down with match ending injuries, the Kangaroos came again. Kodie Woodland stabbing the ball into Daniel Stubbe who took a solid mark on the lead to put the Roos in front.

The win elevated the Kangaroo’s to third position, with the Bombers now facing a knock out elimination final bout against reigning premiers Churchill.

Guy Sinclair the general of the Bombers backline kept the Kangaroos sharpshooters in check, while the back six found themselves stretched at times they held strong against a formidable forward structure. Heyfield’s Jesse Bedggood was lively early booting his three majors in the opening term, James Beha was a prominent figure finishing with five with Stubbe busy when playing on the ball or in the forward line.

Heyfield defenders Lambie and Stevens were solid down back, Goodwin kept Graham under his thumb while Sean Humphreys proved a difficult match for the Bombers.

Despite losing both their coach and captain the Bombers flashy forwards Saunders and Hawkins led from the front with Graham in over drive as he looked to single handily win the match.

A 12 goal haul from GORMANDALE’s Jordon Sandy was one of the highlights of the Tigers clinical crushing of Woodside.

Intent on sending coach Luke Henderson out in a match winning swan song, the Tigers were forced to work hard for the points with Woodside demonstrating they would be no easy beats.

Gormandale struggled to shake the visitors early in a tight physical opening term, as the sides went goal for goal. The shoot-out at either end of the ground courtesy of Sandy and Wildcats captain Ryan Foat who had little trouble finding the sticks.

The contest opened up in the second term a barnstorming eight goal to three stanza by the Tigers handing the home side a handy 32 point buffer at the long break.

A strong third quarter showing by the Wildcats set the tone for an entertaining final quarter, the tables turning on Gormandale as the visitors reeled the margin back to two straight kicks. Coach Daniel Risol and Dylan Mc Lachlan the main architects in the revival.

But as close as they came the Tigers put the foot down to arrest control, Sandy was sublime marking all that came his way, his dozen majors coming after a bag of 10 a fortnight ago. Midfield specialist Brendan Solomon was a standout, Tom Brennan went to work and Jaryd Gilroy was instrumental in the ruck.

It was a battle weary contest for the Magpies in a match of David and Goliath proportions. With their backs up against the wall Glengarry ensured that CHURCHILL didn’t have it all their own way as the Cougars worked hard to return to the top five and in turn secure a berth in next Sundays elimination final.

Hitting the ground running the visitors booted four goals in the opening term, with a further eight scored ahead of half time to extend their lead to 56 points at the long change. It didn’t get any better for the home side in the premiership term, with James Allan, Leigh McDonald and Brendan Holt all on song in front of goals, Chris Williams and Dean DeGroot dominating play, the Cougars registered a further eight majors as they run into finals on the back of some solid form.

For the Magpies Leigh O’Mara was judged best a field, with Shae Duncan and Chris Wangman finishing the match with two majors a piece.

A six goal to two opening term by ROSEDALE was the impetus for the ladder leaders, 20.18 (138) to 8.8 (56) victory over Cowwarr.

With finals in their sight, Saturdays match against Cowwarr was a must win for the Blues if they were to seal the title of minor premiers and importantly the weeks break. Chipping away at the scoreboard early the Blues were staunch holding the Saints at bay despite a quiet second term.

A strong third quarter showing set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Rosedale didn’t look back booting 6.5 (41) to nil to boast a 10 goal lead at the final change, a lead that they would further extend in the final term to register a 82 point win and secure their position a top of the premiership ladder standings.

Dale Fleming led from the front and was well supported by Adam Diamond the pair instrumental in and around the contests; likewise Ben Macreadie provided Rosedale with first use of the ball with Jack Tatterson (six) and Jeremy Reid (three) influential in front of goal.

Saints Pat Tainsh was a workhorse in the engine room, Brett Grieve was a standout while Todd Mann was the pick of the goal scorers with three.

In a prelude to finals, Yarram and SALE CITY met on the eve of final action with plenty at stake for the Demons.

Needing to claim the win or have results of two other key contests fall in their favour, the Demons could be excused if they had a sense of dejavu. For the second year running Yarram was left with their finals hopes dashed with the Dogs claiming the honours, 15.21 (111) to 13.12 (90).

Inaccuracy hampered both sides in the opening term, with an incredible 12 behinds scored as both sides failed to trouble the goals. As the contest settled the Demons found their way in front of goal to slam home five majors to one ahead of half time to put the Dogs on notice.

The sides exchanged blow for blow in an even third term, the Dogs through Nick Grainger ate into the Demons 23 point half time lead, converting it to a one point lead at the final change.

Despite several changes to the line up the Dogs weren’t hampered. Brad McKay and Jake Milham benefited from City’s run on the rebound from half back, Grainger was the pick of the scorers with a match high seven while Mitch Bennett warmed to the task.

By Lauren Carey