Blustery cold conditions were encountered across all grounds in Round Six of North Gippsland Football, however the competition on the field in the match of the round between Rosedale and WOODSIDE was anything but cool with the contest going down to the wire.
Trailing at each change of ends in a match that ebbed and flowed in a pressure-packed contest, the Wildcats carried their momentum from the premiership term into the dying stages of the game to somehow overwhelm the Blues in the final term.
The Wildcats adding another top five scalp to their already impressive 2013 season tally, with their come from behind 11.10 (76) to 10.9 (69) victory.
Sitting side by side of each other on the premiership ladder standings the contest was billed as a further opportunity for the Wildcats to test their credentials against last year's Grand Finalists.
Starting slowly the Blues flexed their muscle on the scoreboard in a tight physical opening term, which saw the Wildcats quickly chasing the tail of Rosedale. Woodside's second came through captain Josh Griffin after the scoring dried up on the scoreboard.
It was quickly replied by Rosedale's Jake Power as the Blues continued to answer the visitors challenge. A mark and shot at goal after the quarter time margin by Ryan Burns saw the Blues take a two goal lead into the first change.
Woodside's best a field Rob Michaelides looked to spark the visitors in the opening minutes of the second term his shot at goal drifting across the face of the sticks. Rosedale's Gerard Barnes mirrored Michaelides actions at the other end of the ground as both sides struggled to break through solid backlines.
Neither side was prepared to give little away in a hard tough contested battle which saw play see saw between the two half backlines. Tough and ferocious tackling was the order of the day, with neither side prepared to give an inch.
Barnes broke the trend, a chip kick on the run finding the chest of Burns who swung around throwing the ball on the boot with forward Brad Caldwell finishing off the Blues backlines hard work goaling from inside 40 metres.
Woodside's defenders worked hard to stop Caldwell marking and scoring his second in as many minutes. Nick Taylor's direct kick into Caldwell looked to be on song however the Wildcats defenders went the punch to ensure the margin remained within reach ahead of half time.
Reuben Haustorfer got one back for Woodside as they cleared the ball from one end of the ground to the other. As they had done all afternoon Rosedale got the response to keep the margin at three goals.
Shaking things up Justin Staley was thrown into Woodside's engine room; he combined with Adam Adamo and Brent Kerr to add the visitors second for the term.
Consecutive misses to Rosedale was followed by their seventh major and third for the term, the Blues extending the margin back to 18 points at the main change 7.5 (47) to 4.3 (27).
Rosedale coach Nick Leechino wasn't happy with what he saw early in the premiership quarter, directing traffic his tone was one which wanted and expected more from his chargers as the visitors momentum started to gain.
It was ignited by Staley's snap from tight on the boundary line which reeled the margin back to within a kick. An undisciplined 50 metre penalty saw Woodside once again in their forward line, Griffin taking the mark 30 metres from goal shot his shot missing to the near side.
Woodside appeared to have the upper hand despite not having the score on the board as their intensity and desire to get the footy appeared to stifle and surprise Rosedale, who up until that point appeared to be coasting towards the win.
Staley playing away from one out in the forward line, led the revival. Michaelides was damaging amassing possessions and shut down Blues livewire Chris Graham. Damien and Brent Kerr demonstrated their value, Damien leading the chargers in the backline who stood stoic under pressure.
Michaelides second major saw Woodside back to the closet margin since the opening stages of the contest the side trailing by five points at the final change.
There was no stopping the momentum in the final term, the Wildcats throwing everything at their fancied opponents booting 3.3 (21) to 1.3 (9) to seal their fifth win of the season and regain third position.
For the Blues Brad Scott was judged best on ground with Andrew Flanagan the pick of the goal kickers with four majors.
CHURCHILL laid the foundation for its 153.11 (101) to 9.11 (65) win over Glengarry with a 10 goal to one opening half.
After a torrid fortnight the home side exploded out of the blocks starting the contest strongly booting five straight majors ahead of quarter time. The Cougars relentlessness didn't halter, Churchill adding a further five goals in a stellar second quarter.
Leading by eight goals at half time the Cougars appeared poised to run away with the contest, however as in past weeks the sides second half fade out saw the Magpies boot eight goals to five to make the home side work hard for the points.
Churchill's Billy Wight and Michael Higgins were valuable contributors, Brad Knowles stood up to boot three majors along with Joey Whykes and Brendan Holt.
For the visitors Lochie Little led from the front in a best on ground performance.
GORMANDALE recorded their second win on the run but were made to work hard four points as the Tigers came close to stumbling at the final hurdle.
Leading at every change the Tigers were on track to claim their second win within a week however a final term fade out saw the Bombers outscore the home side to come within 14 points at the final siren, 12.9 (81) to 10.7 (67).
Tiger Wayne Henry finished the contest with four majors, defender Adam Jaensch was instrumental leading the chargers in defence, while Luke Hegarty and Sam Marks impressed in the midfield.
Boisdale/Briagolong's Adam Helmke notched up his third straight best on ground honours, the youngster creating plenty of opportunities around the ground. While team mate John Burge was the sole multiple goal scorer finishing the match with three.
The Tigers win seems them leap frog the log jam at the tail end of the ladder to move into seventh position two games outside the top five.
A disappointing second half by Sale City saw second placed TTU led by Brian Graham in front of goals continue their domination of the competition.
Trailing by 15 points at the long break, the young pups were in the contest as they matched the Bombers goal for goal in an entertaining battle at Tyers.
However it was a different story after the main change, the Bombers were never challenged as they slammed home eight unanswered majors to record a 67 point victory, 16.12 (108) to 6.5 (41).
Graham was the go to man in front of goals finishing the match with seven majors, the Bomber one of nine individual goal scorers. Coach Matt Stolarczyk was instrumental in his side's victory, leading from the front the experienced campaigner was relentless in his attack on the football and his lesser experienced opposition. Pat Sharp and Guy Sinclair also impressed.
For the visitors it was a dark day with just three points scored after half time. Coach Joel Brayshaw, Marty McDonough and premiership player Abe Schuback among the better players.
HEYFIELD claimed the silverware against close rival and neighbouring club Cowwarr winning, 12.17 (89) to 9.14 (68) to hold aloft the Koman - Hollands Cup.
It was far from one way traffic in the contest between the top of the table Kangaroos and sixth placed Saints.
Trailing by three goals at quarter time, the Saints booted four goals to two in the second term to reel the margin back to single figures at the midway mark of the contest.
The Kangaroos chipped away at the scoreboard but could do little to shake the Saints who kept within arm's reach throughout the contest. Held relatively quiet Tim Johnston had minimal impact in front of goals with the Saints forced to find other avenues to goal. Brett Streets return from injury saw the Saint boot two along with Luke McLean.
For the victors Kodie Woodland and Mitch Dowse booted three a piece, with Mark Johnston, Jesse Leeds and Dowse among the best.
By Lauren Carey