Gippsland Times | SALE City's North Gippsland football season came to an end as Churchill kept its premiership defence alive.
The Bulldogs were ruled out of premiership contention following a second successive finals defeat, going down to the Cougars by 11 points in Sunday's first semi-final at Heyfield.
A Churchill victory looked highly unlikely early as City was quick to place the Cougars on the back foot. Making easy pickings of the opposition and held Churchill to one goal in the opening term, the Bulldogs took a five-goal lead into the first break, however were out-played in the second stanza.
Churchill turned a 34-point deficit into a nine-point lead at half-time.
The eight-goal to one second term, led by power forward Tim Darby and captain Chris Williams, set the Cougars on their way to a 18.19 (117) to 15.16 (106) victory.
Hamish Towns added to last week's match total of six with a further three, Darby booted four with Leigh McDonald chipping in with three as Churchill advanced to a preliminary final against Heyfield.
Midfielder Travis Brighton was instrumental in and around the contest. Williams and Nick Celima amassed possessions, Dillon Leys was a key figure in the ruck contests or setting up play in the forward line and Darby was the stand-out forward.
Best-on-ground, defender Jarrod Broadbent was outstanding, generating a contest and setting-up run off half-back as he shut down his various opponents. Broadbent worked hard with defenders Jordon Fenech and Dale Paterson as the Cougars' back line held the Bulldogs' danger forwards, including Nick Grainger and Jake Milham, to a mere two majors.
Mitch Bennett worked hard to claim bragging rights against his various opponents on his way to booting four majors for the Bulldogs.
The loss of David Piasente from City's line-up left Jake Schuback and Hayden Burgiel to track the Cougars' play makers and in turn restricted the dangerous pair from opportunities in front of goal. Despite this, Schuback's influence on the game was second to none, likewise Brad McKay, who thrilled with his breakaway speed and run and bounce carry of the ball towards goal.
While the second half was more even on the scoreboard, it was the Bulldogs' inability to run with their opponent during the second term which cost them their chances of advancing to a second straight preliminary final. The Cougars never surrendered the lead after they arrested it back despite City charging at the closing stages.
City's defence of James Versace, Shay Ferguson, Josh Barbetti, Abe Schuback and Tim DiMarco felt the effects of the Cougars' quick delivery into their attacking 50 during the second and third terms.
Down at half-time, the Bulldogs needed to dig deep and begin the third term on the front foot, but the Cougars carried on from where they left off with Towns and Darby adding to the scoreboard.
Chris Weller was dogged, his tackling and second and third attempts held Churchill in good stead, while youngster Kurt Holt was influential with Celima another stand-out.
CHURCHILL'S reserves also kept their season alive, defeating an inaccurate Traralgon-Tyers United 10.10 (70) to 5.13 (43).
In the thirds, Woodside defeated local rival Yarram 13.10 (88) to 6.12 (48).
NGFNL preliminary finals
Saturday at Rosedale:
Seniors: Heyfield v Churchill, 2.15pm.
Reserves: Churchill v Sale City, noon.
Thirds: Glengarry v Woodside, 9.45am.
