Gippsland Times | SALE City laid the foundation for its 19-point victory over Rosedale with a barnstorming seven-goal to two third term.
Trailing by 11 points after a tight hard fought first half of North Gippsland football's top of the table clash, the home side broke clear. The Bulldogs turned a deficit into a three goal lead at the final change on their way to winning 14.13 (97) to 10.8 (68) to return to the top of the ladder.
Led by Nick Grainger, who returned to the line-up with a bag of six goals, and Mitch Bennett, four, it was the high flying younger brigade which caused headaches for the competition's number one ranked defensive unit.
The going didn't get any easier in the final term as the Bulldogs completed an 11-goal to four second half.
The second half challenge was orchestrated by yet another best-on-ground performance by onballer David Piasente, who kept in check his numerous opponents.
Ben Chivers continued his solid showing of the past fortnight, again given the tough task of tagging Rosedale's running brigade.
Brad McKay speared the ball forward time and time again with precision to the safe hands of Grainger and Bennett.
For the Blues, Brandon McDonald booted four majors, Corey Beaver was busy, while Gerard Barnes created run off half-back.
Cougars claw way to victory
REIGNING premier Churchill climbed into the top five for the first time in three weeks following its thrilling one-point victory over Heyfield.
For the second week running, last year’s grand finalist Heyfield dropped the points at home in a contest which ebbed and flowed.
A late behind gave the Cougars a 11.14 (80) to 11.13 (79) win.
The loss resulted in Heyfield dropping out of the top five.
Registering the opening major through Hamish Towns, Churchill felt the wrath of Heyfield’s forwards, who slammed home six unanswered majors to take a commanding 31-point lead into the first break.
Former St Kilda footballer and Heyfield junior Matt Ferguson pulled on his former home club’s jumper and was among the goals early along with Joel Dinsdale.
Nick Campbell and Towns halted the Kangaroos’ run early in the second stanza before Travis Brighton made it three in a row for the visitors, who reeled the margin back to two straight kicks.
Churchill registered six majors to one to take a three-point margin into the long change.
The main break didn’t halt Churchill’s momentum with its three-point buffer quickly blown out with majors to James Allan and Campbell extending the lead to 20 points.
Heyfield was given some reprieve when Towns appeared to injure his hamstring in the third term.
Up until that point, he had booted three majors and was providing a handful around goal.
Trailing by less than two goals, Heyfield dug deep in the final term.
Andrew Lambie spurred his side on as it kept the visitors goal-less. Jesse Bedggood’s third major levelled scores, before a late shot at goal by Churchill registered a behind to snatch the win.
Jarrod Broadbent stood-out for Churchill, captain Chris Williams was instrumental, with the wise heads of Leigh McDonald and coach Allan Chandler settling the side when the game was in the balance.
Lambie was the Kangaroos’ best, with Tom McMillan and Shaun Humphries solid contributors.
Saints beat Pies
ROBBIE Ferguson and Brad McBride inspired Cowwarr to victory over Glengarry.
Trailing by 44 points at the final change, the Magpies played a dogged brand of football to keep the Saints goal-less as they made a late charge.
Having booted five majors in the first three terms, Glengarry went shy of matching that tally with four in the final term, but the Saints won 12.9 (81) to 9.7 (61).
Ferguson kicked five goals and McBride four.
The final margin was complimentary of Cowwarr, which struggled to make an impact in the final term as the Magpies’ forwards pressured the composed Saints’ back line into a raft of errors which the bottom ranked side capitalised on.
Cowwarr’s best-on-ground Shane Morgan led the back six, which dominated the first half before feeling the affects of the Magpies’ forwards.
Defender Chris Wangman was dogged and kept with McBride, however it was McBride’s ability to make a contest and bring the ball to ground to the crumbing rovers like Ferguson that paid dividends.
Brock Rawson was busy in the engine room and like teammate Michael Diaz worked hard to contain the impact of Pat Tainsh, Brett Street and Ferguson.
Tommy Pattle was among the play for the Saints, with Kevin Stoddart and Brett Grieves receiving the coach’s praise.
Demon delight
YARRAM consolidated its place in the top three with a convincing victory at Woodside.
The Wildcats were within arm’s reach of the competition’s third ranked side at the first change, before the Demons skipped away to a 19-point lead by half-time.
The margin was extended to 46 following a dominating third term before the visitors won 19.16 (130) to 10.11 (71).
Rebounding from last week’s loss, Justin Staley stood tall in Yarram’s 59-point victory, often taunting the Wildcats’ defence, which had no answer to his strength and positioning in the forward arc.
Staley’s goals came from various avenues, including contested marks, many of them against more than one opponent.
Some credit must go to his teammates though as they continuingly sat the ball out in front of him to mark.
Staley was aided by Grif Underwood, who kicked three goals, while Ryan Underwood and Chris Coulthard chimed in with two each.
Dylan McLachlan was the Wildcats’ best, with captain Ryan Foat and coach Daniel Risol standing out from the pack.
TTU shakes off Tigers
TRARALGON-Tyers United claimed its third straight win, shaking off a persistent Gormandale.
The Tigers began strongly before the home side, through Chase Saunders and Stephen Hawkins, made their presence felt in front of goal. The pair kicked five and three goals respectively.
The third term was an arm wrestle both sides booting three majors each with the visitors, through Brendan Solomon, remaining in the contest ahead of the final break.
Trailing by 23 points, the Tigers lifted with Jack Wyhoon and Luke McLean leading the charge, but as they had done all afternoon, the Bombers responded with three goals on the run.
Gormandale then lined up for three on the trot with McLean and Daniel Domaille among the scorers.
However, the Bombers held on to win 14.16 (100) to 12.4 (76) and solidify their position in the top five.
