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North Gippsland FLTouted as the match of the round, the contest between the would be challengers of 2013 TTU and reigning premier HEYFIELD saw the result decided in the closing minutes of the match with the Kangaroos snatching victory from the Bombers grasp.

In a contest which provided plenty none more so in a physical hard fought final term, a down and out less than full strength Heyfield lineup did only what they know how to do, fight back from nowhere to claim a season defining one point victory, 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69).

With the clock counting down on their challenge, the Kangaroos stormed home on the scoreboard with Kodie Woodland snapping the winning goal however the home side had to work hard to maintain their slender lead with Bomber Dylan Loprese marking within scoring distance in the final minutes of the contest, his shot at goal shanked off the side of the boot.

If there was a get out of jail card, that's exactly what Heyfield used on Saturday with the reigning premiers out played in most facets of the contest but not on the scoreboard when it counted.

In a frenetic opening five minutes of play, neither side could settle as the ball moved back and forward with little conviction between the half backlines. TTU's Justin Palmer settled the visitors snapping around the body to register the sides first. Heyfield responded with Josh Neille and Tom McMillan combining to goal.

Heyfield slowed down the contest, manning up on their opponents in a physical patch of play which saw the Kangaroos momentum slowly gain as the Bombers were hit hard. Hayden Hector feeling the effects when tackled hard to the ground by Justin Cox and Mat Goodwin.

Brian Graham set up Michael Hall in front of goal slotting through TTU's second minutes before the quarter time siren.

TTU came out and made a statement of intent from the opening bounce of the second term, Tyler Mustoe scored in the first minute of the quarter before a 50 metre penalty gifted Graham the Bombers third on the run as they blew the margin out to 17 points.

Scott Zulke burst from the centre of the ground, his direct kick hitting the chest of Mustoe who combined with Loprese to add another for the Bombers.

With the heat on the Kangaroos Matt Bedggood broke the Bombers ascendency to goal from 30 metres.

Lifting the Bombers run and drive in the midfield ball magnets Pat Sharp, coach Matt Stolarzyk and Graham won the midfield battle for the quarter as the Bombers blew the margin out to 20 points at the main change.

With the game in the balance, Dave Kelly was thrown into Heyfields midfield alongside Jack Woodland and Neille. The move worked Heyfield slamming home the first two goals for the second half as they peppered away at the half time deficit to trail by eight points at the final change.

A 10 goal haul from GLENGARRY's Josh King in his return match from injury placed the Magpies in good stead against Rosedale, 18.10 (118) to 10.11 (71).
Exploding out of the blocks after a slow and tardy start the week prior, the Magpies swooped on their opponents slamming home six goals to one to establish a match winning lead in the opening 25 minutes of play.

It was a lead they would never relinquish and while challenged in patches against their higher ranked opponent Rosedale, the Magpies always appeared in control with their experienced tier of play including power forward King, defender Lochie Little, high flyer Aaron Winkler and Dean Pearce.

While Rosedale was far from at full strength, little can be taken away from the Magpies who booted one of their highest scores of the season and can mark their opening and third terms amongst their better football for the year.

For Rosedale captain Chris King was a tireless workhorse, Brad Scott provided plenty of spark while Scott Johnstone led from the front in defence.

In one of the upsets of the season BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG recorded a 15 point victory over fourth placed Churchill.

In a David and Goliath contest, the young inexperienced Bombers didn't take a backward step against the Cougars who have struggled to hit the mark over the past month.

Trailing by four points at the first break, the Bombers absorbed all that coach Daniel Sandeman had to say at the quarter time huddle hitting their marks and exchanging blows on the scoreboard early. The Bombers chipped away at the visitors lead to hit the front by the exact margin they trailed at quarter time four points.

With the contest in the balance, the Bombers continued to hold their nerve not intimidated by the bigger bodies, strength and match winners the Churchill lineup boasted rather just went about their own game plan to outscore the Cougars five goals to four.

Leading by 10 points at the final change, the Bombers leaders stood tall Adam Helmke continued his super start to the season, while hard-at-it Regan Tait and Josh Kennedy began to tire the opposition with John Gooch lighting up the forward line with six majors.

COWWARR proved too classy for their more fancied opponents Woodside, with the Saints eight goal to three second term setting up the sides 21.9 (135) to 11.10 (76).

Carrying the tag of underdogs into the contest against the third placed Wildcats, the Saints started slowly trailing by 20 points at the first change.

Led by Tim Johnston, Shane Morgan and Kieran McConnell in front of goals the game swung the way of the Saints as the visitors began to impose themselves on the contest turning a 20 point deficit into a two goal lead by half time.

Amassing possessions Cowwarr's Pat Tainsh led the charge in the engine room with Jordon Bourke and coach Luke Cooper flexing their muscles in the midfield, while Morgan imposed himself in the contest accounting for several opponents.

The premiership term was an even affair with the sides exchanging blows on the scoreboard, nine majors were booted however the Wildcats could do little to eat into the Saints lead.

Ensuring victory was theirs Cowwarr slammed home seven goals to nil in the final term with Johnston causing havoc in the forward 50.

Two points separated SALE CITY and Gormandale at quarter time of their contest, before the Tigers went to sleep as the young pups came to life at the kennel to register their second victory.

In a competitive opening term spectators witnessed a tight physical contest, before the Tigers all but gave up, the visitors managing only a further goal in three quarters of football.

Coming into the match on the back of two wins, the Tigers were favored by many to continue their winning form however came up against a hungry Dogs lineup that hadn't registered the points since round one.

Left flat footed and wanting Gormandale could do little to counteract the hardness and fleet footed running brigade of Sale City who built on their lead at every change to record a convincing 50 point victory, 14.10 (94) to 6.8 (44).

City's Mitch Evans continued his impressive form in a best on ground performance, Josh Barbetti was influential booting two majors, premiership player Mitch Bennett showed true leadership qualities in his efforts while experienced pair of coach Joel Brayshaw and ruckman Matt Lutze showed why they are quality players.

By Lauren Carey