Leading by a mere behind in the final minute of the contest, Gormandale appeared poised to open their season ledger with victory against a red hot ROSEDALE outfit.

But it would be the Blues man of the opening half, Dale Fleming, that would see the plucky Blues snatch defeat with his sole major of the afternoon handing the Blues their third straight victory, 11.14 (80) to 11.9 (75)

In a low scoring opening half which saw five majors scored, neither side was able to break clear on the scoreboard despite Gormandale's Kapun Morris and Wayne Henry getting plenty of the ball as they drilled their side forward.

Rosedale like their opponent peppered away at the scoreboard, Gerard Barnes slotting through the Blues first major just shy of half time. The Blues trailing by seven points.

The goals flowed freely after the long change, the navy blue army rallied matching the home side on the scoreboard booting six majors to five in an entertaining premiership term.

Working hard to reel in the deficit, the Blues led by best on ground Jake Mowat and Luke Stuckey got the visitors going, the pair provided much of the work as Rosedale chipped away at the scoreboard to be poised within arm's reach with Fleming slotting through the winner.

Rosedale coach Ben Macreadie continued his impressive form of the opening month of the fixture, and was ably assisted by Jeremy Reid who was the pick of the goal kickers with three and Brandon McDonald.

For the Tigers Joe Colaciello and Sam Marks booted two apiece, with Morris collecting the three votes in a stellar performance.

Little separated Heyfield and YARRAM throughout the contest, before two late term goals from the Demons saw the visitors claim their biggest scalp of the season.

In a traditional arm wrestle of a contest, less than a kick separated the sides in the opening half. The margin five points in favour of Yarram at the first change, one that Heyfield would reverse ahead of the long change to lead by two points.

They describe the third term as the premiership term, the telling quarter that can make or break a contest and for the visitors it did just that. Make, and announce them as a real contender, the Demons booting clear to hold one of the most commanding leads of the contest 19 points at the final break.

The visitors spurred on by experienced campaigners Grif Underwood and Andrew Kiely, looked to keep the Kangaroos at arms distance but as they so often do the home side kept coming with five of their own majors in the final term. But with the clock counting down it wasn't enough, Yarram holding off the fast-finishing Kangaroos to win by 14 points.

The Demons shared the goals among 11 individual goal scorers, Jarryd Swift and Corbin Sutherland among the goals. While exciting youngster Jari McDonald was named among the best.

Heyfield's Daniel Stevens was solid claiming best on ground honours for the second week running, James Beha was crucial in the ruck contests and around the ground with Josh Stubbe and Jesse Bedggood lively in the forward 50.

Woodside worked hard to match the strength and might of the reigning premiers CHURCHILL but faded away following a strong first term showing.

With scores locked at 3.5 (23) a piece in the first term, the Wildcats dished up some of their best as they ruffled the Cougars early in the battle of the big cats.

The second term saw the Cougars regain their composure to boot five goals to one to break clear to a commanding 28 point lead, one that they would not relinquish as they went about extending the margin at each break to run home comprehensive 100 point winners.

The win, handing the sixth placed Churchill their second win of the season, was engineered by the trio of Nick Campbell, Captain Chris Williams and Ben Skinner who lit up the forward line with five majors.

Inaccuracy in front of goal didn't hamper TTU from making an emphatic return to the winners list against a hapless Glengarry outfit who struggled to contain the barrage of goals from the Bombers forwards.

Scoring 22.30 (162) to 4.6 (30), the Bombers kicked away early and if it hadn't of been for inaccuracy in front of goal the score line could have been more damaging at the final siren.

The Bombers booted eight goals to one in the opening half, before finishing off the contest with a further 14 majors to three. Staunch defender Guy Sinclair found himself forward booting a game high four majors, while the trip of Stephen Hawkins, Brian Graham and Chase Saunders finished with three apiece.

The Bombers midfield brigade of Graham, Matt Stolarczyk, Marcus Pilgrim and Scott Zuehlke were polished and poised, creating something out of nothing at times, dominating the contests and flexing their muscle in front of the clubs players of past who attended the clubs past players function.

For the visitors, it was a tough outing for Robbie Cahill's chargers who were simply outplayed. Zac Mangion was named best a field for the Magpies.

SALE CITY remain the only undefeated side following the ladder leaders claiming a 26 point victory over a persistent Cowwarr outfit.

It was far from one way traffic for the competitions number one ranked side who were forced to work hard for the points, the Saints proving tough competition.

Taking a five point lead into the first change, the Saints started strongly with Pat Tainsh and Shane Morgan influential early. The Dogs outscored the visitors in the second term to lead by three points, with Mitch Bennett making his impact felt in a solid quarter effort.

The Dogs mustered plenty of play in the third term, and could have extended the margin further if it wasn't for a few wayward shots on goal. The Saints could only trouble the scoreboard for one major, to trail by one of the biggest margins of the contest three straight majors at the final break.

The Saints rallied keeping with the Dogs but it was City's strong third quarter showing that proved telling in the end, 12.17 (89) to 9.9 (63).

City was well served in front of goals by Harry Kaandorp, Keenan Hughes and Nick Grainger who finished with two apiece, while Mitch and Jake Evans were standout performers. For the Saints Marcus Tomwey was the sole multiple goal scorer.

By Lauren Carey