Gippsland Times |
BLUSTERY cold conditions were encountered across all grounds during round six of North Gippsland football, but the competition on the field in the match between Rosedale and Woodside was anything but cool.
Trailing at each change of ends during the pressure-packed contest, the Wildcats were able to overwhelm the Blues in the final term to win 11.10 (76) to 10.9 (69).
Starting slowly, the Blues flexed their muscle on the scoreboard in a tight physical opening term, with a major after the quarter-time siren from Ryan Burns helping the home side take a two-goal lead into the break.
It was quickly replied by Rosedale's Jake Power as the Blues continued to answer the visitors challenge. A mark and shot at goal after the quarter time margin by Burns saw the Blues take a two goal lead into the first change.
During the second term, neither side was prepared to give little away in a hard tough battle. Tough and ferocious tackling was the order of the day.
Gerard Barnes broke the trend, a chip kick on the run finding the chest of Burns, who swung around, throwing the ball on the boot with forward Brad Caldwell finishing off the hard work with a goal from 40 metres out.
Woodside's defence worked hard to stop Brad Caldwell marking and scoring his second in as many minutes. Nick Taylor's direct kick into Caldwell looked to be on song however the Wildcat defenders went the punch to ensure the margin remained within reach ahead of half-time.
Reuben Haustorfer got one back for Woodside as it cleared the ball from one end of the ground to the other.
As it had done all afternoon, Rosedale got the response to keep the margin at three goals.
Shaking things up, Justin Staley was thrown into Woodside's engine room, combining with Adam Adamo and Brent Kerr to add the visitor's second goal for the term before the Blues extended their lead to 20 points at half-time.
The visitors began to gain some momentum with a Staley goal from the boundary line reeling the margin back to within a kick.
Woodside appeared to have the upper hand despite not having the score on the board as its intensity to get the footy appeared to stifle and surprise Rosedale, who up until that point appeared to be coasting towards the win. Staley led the Wildcats revival.
Best afield Rob Michaelides was amassing possessions and shutting down Blues livewire Chris Graham.
Damien and Brent Kerr demonstrated their value, the former leading the backline, which stood stoic under pressure.
Michaelides' second major saw Woodside back to within five point at the final change, the closet margin since the opening stages of the match.
There was no stopping the Wildcats in the final term, as they booted three goals to one to seal their fifth win of the season and regain third position.
Brad Scott was the Blues' best with Andrew Flanagan booting four goals.
GORMANDALE recorded its second win on the run, but was made to work hard for it against Boisdale-Briagolong.
Leading at every change, the Tigers were on track for victory, but a final term fade-out saw the Bombers come within 14 points at the final siren. The Tigers won 12.9 (81) to 10.7 (67).
Wayne Henry finished with four goals for the Tigers, Adam Jaensch led the defence, while Luke Hegarty and Sam Marks impressed in the midfield.
For the third week in a row, Adam Helmke was the Bombers' best player after creating plenty of opportunities around the ground. John Burge was his side's only multiple goal kicker, finishing with three.
The Tigers' win sees them move out of the log jam at the bottom of the ladder to move into seventh position, two wins outside the top five.
HEYFIELD reclaimed Koman-Hollands Cup against Cowwarr, winning 12.17 (89) to 9.14 (68).
It was far from one-way traffic in the contest between the top of the table Kangaroos and sixth-placed Saints. Trailing by three goals at quarter-time, the Saints booted four goals to two in the second term to reel the margin back to single figures by half-time.
The Kangaroos chipped away at the scoreboard but could do little to shake the Saints, who kept within arm's reach.
Tim Johnston had minimal impact in front of goal with the Saints forced to find other avenues to goal. Brett Streets return from injury saw the Saint boot two along with Luke McLean.
For the Kangaroos, Kodie Woodland and Mitch Dowse booted three goals each, with Mark Johnston and Jesse Leeds among the best.
A DISAPPOINTING second half by Sale City saw second-placed Traralgon-Tyers United continue their dominant form.
Trailing by 15 points at the long break, the Bulldogs were taking it up to the Bombers in an entertaining battle at Tyers, however, it was a different story after the main change, with the home side slamming eight unanswered majors to record a 67-point victory, 16.12 (108) to 6.5 (41).
Brian Graham was the go-to man in front of goal, finishing with seven majors. Coach Matt Stolarczyk was instrumental in his side's victory, relentless in his attack on the football and his lesser experienced opposition, while Pat Sharp and Guy Sinclair also impressed.
With just three points scored after half-time, it was a dark day for the visitors. Coach Joel Brayshaw, Marty McDonough and Abe Schuback among the better players.
A TEN-goal to one first half set-up Churchill's 15.11 (101) to 9.11 (65) win over Glengarry.
After a torrid fortnight, the home side began strongly, booting five straight majors in the first quarter before kicking five more during a stellar second quarter.
Leading by eight goals at half-time, the Cougars appeared poised to run away with the contest, however, as in past weeks, their second half fade-out saw the Magpies boot eight goals to five.
Billy Wight and Michael Higgins were valuable contributors for Churchill, while Brad Knowles, Joey Whykes and Brendan Holt three goals each.
Lochie Little was the Magpies' best.
