As the curtain was drawn, and 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 fifth position and final berth in next Sundays elimination final.

With a mere .72 percent separating Woodside and Yarram, and with both sides drawing the competitions top two sides in the final round, many suggested that it wouldn't come down to who would win but rather who would lose by the lesser margin and see their end of season ambitions fulfilled.

Not content with being written off from taking the points and causing the upset of the season, Woodside started out strongly against minor premiers HEYFIELD.

In an even opening term the visitors held strong against the Kangaroos with inaccuracy a feature of Heyfield's opening 25 minutes of play. Boasting eight scoring shots the competitions number one ranked side converted just two majors keeping the Wildcats at arm's reach, five points the margin at the first change.

Woodside marked their intentions in the second term outscoring the home side three goals to one, with Josh Griffin showing a few tricks in front of goal on his way to a match tally of four majors. Led by coach Chris Pettitt and the cream of his line up Ryan Foat, Shane Kilgower, Matt Scholz and Damien Kerr the Wildcats hit the man hard as they reversed a five point deficit into a seven point break at half time to have their tails up.

Flattened by the break and a resurgent Heyfield, the Kangaroos hit their straps in the premiership term Jesse Bedggood turned it on in front of goal, captain Brenton Dinsdale raised the bar in one of his best performances of the season with the engine room led by Jack Woodland, Daniel Stevens and Josh Stubbe beginning to gain the upper hand the Kangaroos registering 6.4 (40) to 1.1 (7) to set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

While the Wildcats matched Heyfield on the scoreboard in the final term, the damage was done in the third term with Heyfield pulling out all stops against a persistent opponent.

CHURCHILL dashed the hopes of this season's new kid on the block with a 19 goal victory, crushing the Demons chances of snatching fifth position from neighbours and foes Woodside.

An 11-goal haul by Hamish Towns, who showed an endless bag of tricks in the second term, was one of many highlights for the Cougars as they made a return to the winners list after stumbling in last week's top of the table clash.

The Cougars relentless pressure and run set up many goals, none more so in a barnstorming second term which saw Churchill's forwards and dynamite midfield flex their muscles and take all before them. Booting 12 goals to a mere behind, the second quarter could be best described as a blood bath for the Demons as they watched their minor hold on snatching fifth position flash before their eyes.

Led by Towns, Nick Celima (four), Tim Darby and Nat Campbell (three apiece) the Cougars were relentless, the sides execution sending a clear message to fellow finalists that they are primed to push deep into finals action despite last week's shortcoming.

Towns' performance in front of goal rewarded him best on ground honours, ruckman Andrew Brown was an imposing figure in the contests setting up Travis Brighton and Chris Williams who dictated play on their terms around the ground while defender Jordon Fenech stopped many of the Demons attacks.

Jarryd Swift was the Demons sole multiple goal scorer finishing the match with five majors in a three vote performance.

Boisdale/Briagolong started out strongly in the battle of the Bombers, however despite dominating the play and possessions costly execution and mistakes saw TTU take their chances to seal a 20 point victory, 12.13 (85) to 9.11 (65).

Led by best on ground Brian Graham, TTU made the most of their chances when the game was in the balance in the third term. Despite dominating the ball and opportunities in front of goal boasting seven scoring shots to five, Boisdale/Briagolong couldn't buy a goal in the premiership term.

Trailing by two kicks at the main change, Boisdale/Briagolong needed to hit the ground running in the second half and that exactly what they did Danny Pratt registering one of his four for the match from the opening clearance. From that point the Bombers from the eastern end of the competition couldn't make the most of their chances despite lengthy passages of play in their forward half. In contrast each time they pushed forward TTU made something out of nothing to score, with Graham and coach Matt Stolarczyk setting up the side's forwards.

Boisdale/Briagolong again took their chances early in the final term to reel the margin back to 14 points, Graham missed a long bomb from outside 50 to hand Boisdale/Briagolong with a lifeline before TTU registered what appeared to be the sealer early in the quarter.

But Boisdale/Briagolong kept fighting captain Nicol Sandison was superb when rotating in the ruck or when floating between centre half forward and back plugging the gaps, keeping his side in the contest as they again answered TTU's challenge to reign the margin back to 20 points.

With the clock counting down on the challenge, TTU was forced to work hard in a contest which often resembled a game of keepings off with both sides kicking blindly at times hoping for the best as the ball rebounded back and forward between the half backlines.

Boisdale/Briagolong's Pratt provided a contest whether it was bringing the ball to ground or taking a strong mark when the Bombers pushed forward. Matt Lee was superb in the engine room, with his ruthless tackling and vision setting up his side's forwards.

TTU were served well by Hayden Hector, ruckman Luke Middelton who worked hard against a rotating ruck combination and Rhys Martin.

COWWARR were forced to toil hard after half time against Gormandale to mark Saint Robbie Fergusons 250th club match, while denting the celebrations for Tiger Wayne Henrys milestone match.

One point separated the sides at half time, the margin in favour of Gormandale, after what had been an enthralling arm wrestle.

Easing their foot slightly off the throttle, the Saints punished the Tigers with a nine goal to six second half, fleet footed goal sneak Ben Plozza creating headaches for the Tigers defence who struggled to contain Cowwarr's main man in front of goals. Booting eight majors in a best on ground performance, Plozza was helped out by milestone man Ferguson who chipped in with two goals.

The Tigers challenge on the scoreboard came through Henry in his 250th match in the yellow and black, with Daniel Trease also contributing three majors. Captain Luke Hegarty was named best on ground.

In a prelude to finals, Sale City and ROSEDALE met on the eve of final action with the third placed Blues claiming the honours, 12.14 (86) to 10.10 (70).

Inaccuracy hampered the visitors in the opening term before they found their way in front of goal to slam home five majors to one ahead of half time to put the Dogs on notice. Brandon McDonald and full forward Andrew Flanagan who marked his return from injury with three majors were the main protagonists in front of goals.

The sides exchanged blow for blow in an even third term, but the Dogs struggled to eat into the Blues 21 point half time lead.

Jed Hickey the general of the Blues backline kept the Dogs sharpshooters in check, Mitch Bennett the pick of the scorers with three, at the other end of the ground City's Ben Chivers created run on the rebound from half back which Brad McKay and Jake Milham benefited from time and time again.

Rosedale's Adam Mitchell was a solid performer for the Blues in the contests while also bobbing up in front of goal with two majors, with Luke Stuckey and Dale Fleming also impressive.

By Lauren Carey