Gippsland Times | Scoreboard attendants were kept busy with a number of high scoring contests featuring in a mixed round of North Gippsland Football.
The match of the round between potential finalists Yarram and TTU provided spectators with plenty.
The Demons went into the contest strengthened by the inclusion of Andrew Kiely and Jari McDonald as they aimed to atone for their earlier loss.
In a see sawing contest which saw the lead change times on several occasions, the Bombers took a slender three point buffer into the first change with the side benefiting from the return of Matt Stolarczyk who ran riot early in the piece.
Both sides' engine rooms toiled hard throughout the contest, Yarram's McDonald leading the charge while the more experienced campaigner TTU's Brian Graham set up his sides forward run time and time again in an impressive display joined by Stolarczyk.
The sides exchanged blow for blow on the scoreboard in the second term with the Bombers outscoring the home side to extend their lead out to 11 at the long change.
With the contest in the balance, TTU started the premiership term strongly and had it not been for inaccuracy in front of goal the contest could have been over at the final change.
Led by Chase Saunders and Graham the Bombers scored 4.6 (30) to 3.3 (21) for the term to blow the margin out to over five goals.
The Demons kept charging, Kieley was creative in the forward 50, Keifer Sutherland made the most of his chances in front of goal and McDonald was electric but it wasn't enough for the home side to take the points the Bombers running out victors, 17.18 (120) to 11.10 (76).
Yarram's ruck stocks suffered a blow with Lucas Jenkins injured a fortnight ago and were left to feel the effects of Bombers captain Luke Middleton who had a standout game.
The loss resulted in the third placed Demons sliding outside the top five to be relegated to sixth on the premiership ladder standings in Ryan Coulthard's 150th club game.
Heyfield bounces back
Four goals from former AFL player Brodie Holland for Gormandale wasn't enough to hand the Kangaroos their third straight loss.
Heyfield bounced back from a lean fortnight to post an 11 goal win in milestone man Jesse Bedggood's 100th senior game and Daniel Stevens 100th club match.
Riding a wave of emotion it was the visitors that started strongly drawing forward in frenetic pace, a poised intercept mark from the kick in provided Jack Woodland with an opportunity to post the first major however the shot missed to the near side.
The Tigers measured their attack and slowly drilled the ball forward to slot through the first major of the match despite having little play.
Daniel Stubbe would get the quick reply. It would be the first of a bag of eight for the contest, taking his season tally to 29.
The goals dried up as play concentrated back and forth between the half back lines, rebounding between the two staunch defensive lines before Joel Dinsdale broke the grid lock.
It would be followed with Stubbe's second for the term and three straight for the Roos.
Stubbe's second major was set up by a timely spoil by Kodie Woodland who halted the Tigers spread and run as they opened up space along the wing heading towards goal.
Gormandale's defence were resisting well under the pressure of the visitors running brigade and forward set up who kept the Tigers in the contest early squandering chances with wayward shots on goal. Wayne Henry sweeping on the loose ball, with Holland providing backup around the packs.
Holland registered the Tigers second which came after a lean 20 minutes of play. It would be the first of four for the 155 game former AFL player. The Tigers came again this time through Mitch Jones. His shot touched on the last line by the outreached hands of Scott Anderson and Jesse Jackway.
Heyfield coach Adrian Cox had the crowd on their feet when he slotted one through from tight on the boundary. It would be answered by a major to Richards as he was joined in the forward line by ruckman Al Jenkins whose height was creating issues for the Roos' defence.
A late major by Stubbe closed out the opening half with the visitors holding a comfortable seven goal buffer.
The third term went very much the way of the second, Stubbe and Cox clasped everything that came their way.
Milestone man Bedggood was in sublime form amassing possessions, with Woodland wearing the tag of Holland for the quarter. Jackway switched forward adding yet another dimension to Heyfields forward arsenal with Tiger Matt Zappulla getting the job of holding Cox at bay.
Heyfield added six for the term led by Stubbe, with Luke Heggarty and Jordon Sandy posting majors for the Tigers who went into the final change down by 64 points.
Heyfield forward Stubbe was the main figure in front of goals setting the impetus for victory, Kodie Woodland added three to his handy season tally with Dinsdale chiming in with three.
Defender Andrew Lambie held several opponents at bay, with youngster Bailey Escreet and Ben Virgona adding another dimension to the Kangaroos' line-up.
Gormandale's Joe Colaciello was named best a field for the Tigers. He found plenty of the ball and set up several goals. Holland was a valuable addition, with Sandy booting two in a strong showing.
Rosedale demolishes Woodside
In a one sided affair Rosedale held a depleted Woodside outfit goalless for more than three quarters of football on their way to recording a percentage boosting 209 point victory.
A barnstorming six goal opening term was among the highlights as the Blues burst out of the blocks, before adding a further 11 to round out the opening half of the contest on the way to posting a 33.23 (221) to 1.6 (12) victory.
It was a tough day for the visitors who proved little match for a side that boasted goal scorers around the ground, Ben Macreadie (six), Brandon McDonald (five) and Dale Fleming (five) ceasing their opportunities in front of goal, the trio among a line-up of 13 individual scorers.
Blues Jake Mowat amassed possessions in a stellar individual performance to be named best a field, Adam Diamond made the most of his opportunities to shake the tag and run amok, Fleming was commanding when pushing forward with Rowan Diamond among the Blues standout players.
Woodside, which went into the contest with some eight of its top tier players on the sidelines was served well by Ben Johnson, with Jack Doderico breaking the gridlock to register the side's sole major.
Churchill's polished performance
CHURCHILL marked its eighth win of the season with a polished performance against Cowwarr, with premiership pair Tim Darby and Nick Campbell lighting up the forward line.
The Cougars started strongly with the momentum in favour of the home side from the opening bounce, Darby (seven) and Campbell (six) set about creating headaches early for the Saints defence, Darby the pinch hitter in front of goals as he went about matching his earlier bag in round two against Cowwarr.
Travis Brighton was influential, the architect of the win for the Cougars.
Leigh McDonald continues to find plenty of the ball in his return to the game and defender Jarrod Broadbent was the general down back.
For the visitors Brett Grieve collected the three votes, with Brett Street and Pat Tainsh solid contributors as they demonstrated flair around the contests.
Sale City cruises to victory
Held goalless for over a half, Glengarry did well to contain ladder leaders Sale City which remained in second gear for the majority of the contest 16.17 (113) to 5.3 (33).
Matching the visitors in the opening term to trail by two points, the Magpies held their own against their more fancied opponents before the Dogs chipped away on the scoreboard to establish a match winning 40 point break ahead of half time.
Keeping the foot rested on the pedal the Dogs scored a further eight majors to three in the second half to run home 80 point victors.
Nick Grainger for the second week running was lively in front of goals leading the charge with a game high five, Grainger one of goal kicking contingent of eight.
Runners Brad Walsh and Brad McKay benefited from the ruck work of Matt Lutze who put the ball down their throat as they drilled the ball forward to Grainger and coach Hayden Burgiel who chipped in with three.
For the Magpies, Brock Rowson held his own against a quality outfit, the young Magpie amassing possessions on his own and doing the hard yards. Alex Bermingham and Chris Wangman also reaped praise from the coach.