Gippsland Times | HEYFIELD booked a spot in a fourth straight North Gippsland football grand final after rallying in the second term in a classic preliminary against Churchill.
After their 22.21 (153) to 15.8 (98) win, the Kangaroos will now meet minor premier Rosedale in a rematch of the 2012 grand final.
With the game in the balance in the second term, the Kangaroos key playmakers stepped up on the big stage.
Jordan Stubbe made his presence felt throughout the match, James Conway was dominant in the ruck contests and had support from James Beha and Leigh Brown.
Jesse Bedggood was lively in front of goal and created several goal assists, Matt Goodwin created play on the ball, while the side's back line, led by Scott Anderson, withstood the Cougars' forward pressure to ensure the Kangaroos booked a berth in the season's ultimate contest.
Reigning premier Churchill hit its straps early, with Nick Celima snapping the first major less than a minute into the contest.
The Kangaroos created an opportunity to respond, Brown's snap from the pocket missed to the near side. It was followed by a strong grab to Bedggood from the resulting kick-in, he quickly passed off to Cam Garrett, who set up Brown for his second shot on goal after out-marking Jarrod Broadbent, but his shot hit the post.
The Cougars' back line of Dean DeGroot, Dale Paterson, Brayden Kokshoorn, Jordon Fenech, Tim Darby and Broadbent felt the effects of the Kangaroos' forward pressure as they locked the ball down.
Taking their chances, the Cougars broke the shackles to run clear with Brad Knowles running into an open goal to register his side's second major.
Trent Anderson and Daniel Stevens worked hard to chop the ball off as Churchill continued to push forward through the work of Celima, Chris Williams and Luke Brereton.
It took 10 minutes for Heyfield to break its run of behinds, with James Beha taking a strong contested pack mark before kicking a goal.
Brown, Bedggood and Jordan Stubbe all missed majors as the Kangaroos' inaccuracy threatened to keep them out of the contest.
At the other end of the ground, accuracy wasn't an issue for Dean Jenkins. Coming into the line-up to replace Brendan Holt, the premiership player registered three first quarter majors in succession.
As the Cougars broke clear to a four-goal lead, Brown pegged one back ahead of quarter-time. The Cougars led by 15 points.
Knowles posted the first major of the second stanza for the Cougars after the Kangaroos wasted their opportunities.
The tables quickly turned, ignited by Bedggood, who thrilled with his aerial feats and slotted through his first of four goals for the afternoon.
Youngster Bailey Escreet led the charge for the Kangaroos, his run and chase and subsequent tackle on Hamish Towns set-up Bedggood's second goal. It would be followed by a goal to Jordan Stubbe to reduce the deficit to two points.
During a rampant 20 minutes, the Kangaroos kicked seven straight majors, including three from Nick Dinsdale and two to Bedggood.
Heyfield's half-time lead should have been even more substantial than 19 points given the midfield control and scoring opportunities. It was those wasted scoring chances, particularly in the first quarter, which left the contest in the balance as Churchill fought back early in the third term.
The reigning premier kicked the first goal the second half before Brown took yet another contested mark against Darby in the goal square to add to his match tally of five.
Churchill responded to position itself within 14 points at the 10-minute mark of the term. The margin was further reduced when Andrew Brown towered over the pack to take the mark in front of goal before scoring the Cougars' third goal for the quarter.
With the margin back to eight points, Brown combined with Jordan Stubbe in front of goal.
Stubbe registered the major followed by another to Brown.
DeGroot and Williams accelerated from the resultant centre bounce to stream forward. William’s goal kept the Cougars in the hunt.
But as it had done from the midway mark of the second term, Heyfield responded to the challenge with the fleet footed brigade of Jordan Stubbe and Dinsdale snapping majors to extend the margin ahead of the final change.
The Kangaroos never surrendered the lead after seizing it and continued to clear away in the final term.
Bedggood added to his highlights reel, scoring consecutive majors to begin the final term. There was also the high flying one-handed grab as he positioned himself on the defenders’ shoulders.
The run of five straight majors to Heyfield since the closing stages of the third term was halted by goals to Leigh McDonald and Darby, who was moved forward, before Joel Dinsdale’s third shut the gate on the contest.
Churchill kept coming but was left one man down 15 minutes into the term following an undisciplined act by Dillon Leys, which left Heyfield captain Shaun Humphries feeling the effects of his wrath.
A late major to Brighton gave the Cougars something to cheer about as they bowed out of the premiership race.
IN the reserves, Churchill recorded a comfortable 28-point victory over Sale City, 17.10 (112) to 13.6 (84), to advance to the grand final to meet minor premier Heyfield.
GLENGARRY sealed its first thirds grand final appearance in three seasons with victory over Woodside, 15.13 (103) to 8.5 (53). The Magpies exploded out of the blocks in the third term to shake the Wildcats, booting three majors to one to establish a 32-point buffer.
The Magpies will meet Traralgon-Tyers United in the big one.
NGFNL grand finals
Saturday at Traralgon:
Seniors: Rosedale v Heyfield, 2.30pm.
Reserves: Heyfield v Churchill, noon.
Thirds: TTU v Glengarry, 9.30am.
