Exploding out of the blocks in a dominating opening term, it was CHURCHILL who led from the outset in their round eight match against Sale City with the result never appearing in doubt.

Sealing their second win last Saturday, the Dogs could ill afford to allow the Cougars to dominate early in the contest and that is exactly what happened at Gaskin Park, Churchill.

Led by the fleet footed Joey Whykes in a stellar best on ground performance in the forward line, the Cougars were sublime exploding out of the blocks making an early statement of intent.

Boasting winners around the ground, a number of the Cougars key players continued their solid form of the past month. Forward Brendan Holt provided headaches for Dog defender Tim Dimarco who worked hard but had little answer to his opponents run, leap in the air and ease in front of goal which saw the Cougar boot a haul of seven.

Whykes finished the match with eight, Travis Brighton taunted his many opponents in a standout performance, Billy Wight continues to evolve and Chris Williams set up a number of goals.

The margin could have been far greater than the 27.13 (175) to 5.14 (44) final score line, the Cougars wasting a number of opportunities in the opening term as the dominated play in the opening 15 minutes of the game, with countless inside 50's but it wasn't showing on the scoreboard although booting nine majors for the term a flurry of which came in the second part of the quarter.

Nathan Osborne got the Cougars on the board in the opening minutes of the contest, as he swooped on the loose ball following a free kick to team mate Chris Burke, Osborne running on with the advantage to slam home the major.

A missed shot at goal by Whykes put the Dogs defenders under immense pressure as they struggled to break the Cougars forward zone as they chipped around overturning the ball with Holt ruing an opportunity to score. It wasn't long before he had a chance to make immense, Brad Knowles kick hitting the chest of Holt who opened up his account.

Marty McDonough broke through to register City's opening major, following second efforts by Mitch Evans and Mitch Bennett. It was followed by four straight by the Cougars before Whykes added another for the term from the pocket and Burke guided through his first ahead of the quarter time siren.

City's Nick Grainger stabbed at goal before on queue the Cougars did what they had done all match, answer from the following centre bounce.

It was a more competitive Dogs lineup in the second term which put the brakes on the Cougars scoring opportunities, as they worked the ball past centre half back to spend more time in their forward 50 however it was to little avail with the visitors peppering away at the goals to score 1.8 (14) for the term.

A snap shot at goal round the body from outside 30 metres by Whykes was the highlight of the second term as the Cougars skipped away to a 66 point lead.

The premiership term ensured the Cougars made it a miserable day for the visitors as the goals continued to rain down a further 10 goals registered as they flew out to a 113 point lead.

The Whykes and Holt highlight show continued in the final term as the Dogs could do little but watch the performance.

COWWARR handed TTU their second straight defeat, the Saints booting seven goals to five after the main change to storm home 50 point victors 17.16 (118) to 10.8 (68).

It has been quiet the month for the Saints who up until round four hadn't record a win, since that day against Boisdale/Briagolong they have won four from five and have marched up the ladder from the depths of the bottom of the table to sixth position.

Renowned for their slow starts to seasons, the Saints proved too slick for the second placed Bombers the side laying the foundation for its eight goal win with a 10 goal to five opening half before the flood gates opened.

The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Saints taking an 18 point lead at the break. The Bombers regrouped after what could be described as a sluggish start from one of the competitions biggest improvers as they worked hard to match the visitors before the main change.

The Saints were never heeded after the break, led by best on ground Jordon Bourke in the midfield, fleet footed Brett Street and goal sneak Robbie Ferguson the contest was all but over by three quarter time with Cowwarr having doubled the home sides score.

Tim Johnston finished the match with four majors to take his season tally to 39, seven ahead of the competitions next highest goal scorer Justin Staley. Ferguson chipped in with three with Ben Plozza and coach Luke Cooper scoring two apiece.

For the Bombers Tyler Mustoe booted five majors, while midfielder Hayden Hector worked hard to set up opportunities for his side.

Inaccuracy prevented ladder leaders HEYFIELD from dominating the contest against Gormandale, the Kangaroos winning 12.19 (91) to 7.7 (49).

It was far from one way traffic throughout the contest, however as they have frequently done throughout the season the Tigers failed to score a major in the second term as the Kangaroos established a handy 34 half time buffer.

In cold damp conditions the Kangaroos did enough to build on their lead and register their seventh straight victory although it was far from a convincing one.

Heyfield's Jesse Bedggood was the pick of the goal kickers finishing the contest with four, Jack Woodland continued his devastating form of past weeks collecting the best on ground votes in a solid performance. For the Tigers Daniel Domaille was among the best with the goals spread across five individual scorers.

GLENGARRY notched consecutive wins for the first time this season following the sides 13 goal drubbing of fourth placed Woodside.

With last rounds win over Rosedale, it gave the Magpies back-to-back victories for the first time since round 14 of last season where they won the final five matches of the season on the trot.

Ranked lower than their opponents the Magpies had no issue in making light work of Woodside the home side booting five unanswered goals in the second quarter which set up their 77 point win, 19.11 (125) to 6.12 (48).

The Wildcats had little answer to the Blues structure, Josh King again led the charge on the scoreboard finishing the match with five majors, Matt Royal added five and Ross McDermott added four to his season tally.

There was plenty to like about the Magpies performance, Royal was explosive and dangerous in front of goal, McDermott was also impressive while John Northey and Jason Ford were standouts in a strong team effort.

A barnstorming ROSEDALE booted eight goals to two in the first quarter to shake any talk about their end of season ambitions following last Saturdays surprise defeat.

Led by Nic Rutter, Andrew Flannigan and Chris Graham who returned to the lineup from injury, the side boasted plenty of ammunition in front of goal to burst out of the block quickly flattening any challenge from Boisdale/Briagolong.

Leading by 31 points at the first change the Blues increased the margin at each break, 57 at half time and 62 at the final change to run home 11 goal victors.

By Lauren Carey