Gippsland Times |
ENSURING its North Gippsland football finals ambitions remained intact, seventh-placed Woodside caused one of the upsets of the season, overwhelming Rosedale in a spirited final quarter.
Trailing at each change of a match which ebbed and flowed, the Wildcats carried their momentum from the end of the third term into the dying stages of the game to somehow overrun Rosedale by four points, 14.11 (95) to 14.7 (91).
It is the second time this season the Wildcats have rallied in the final term to defeat the Blues.
Led by Justin Staley (five) and Rob Michaelides (four) in front of goal, the home side booted five goals to one to hand the fourth-placed Blues their second defeat in as many weeks.
Leading by 20 points at the start of the final term, the Blues were favoured to return to the winners' list but were left wanting as the Wildcats led by Michaelides, Hank Norman, coach Chris Pettitt and Josh Griffin led the comeback.
The victory sees the Wildcats draw level on 32 points with sixth-placed Churchill, just two points outside the top five.
Missed opportunity
BOISDALE-Briagolong will be ruing the one that got away as Gormandale, after trailing by 15 points at the final change, ran over the top of the Bombers in the final term.
In an even contest the Bombers led at every change before running out of legs in the fourth quarter as the Tigers' experienced campaigners rose to the occasion.
Playing an impressive brand of football, the Bombers booted five goals in the first term to establish a two-goal lead. The Bombers backed themselves to extend the margin at the main change.
The third term was an even affair as the sides traded blows with eight majors booted as the Tigers kept within two goals at the final change.
The Tigers pounced early in the final term to reel the margin back to within a kick before levelling scores.
Luke Francis, Brendan Solomon and Wayne Henry were all influential in the forward line for the Tigers as the Bombers' back line came under siege.
Despite fighting courageously the Bombers' inability to register a major in the final term proved costly as the Tigers won 16.10 (106) to 13.8 (86).
Strong start to win
TRARALGON-Tyers United laid the foundation for its 16.7 (103) to 7.12 (54) win over Sale City with a nine-goal to one first half.
Aiming to confirm their hold on a top three finish, the visitors began the contest strongly by booting five majors to one in the first quarter.
The Bombers added a further four goals during a stellar second quarter which saw the home side fail to convert.
Leading by eight goals at half-time, the Bombers appeared poised to run away with the contest, however the Bulldogs rallied with a more commanding second half which saw the two sides go goal-for-goal. Sale City kicked six goals to the visitors' seven as it made the Bombers work hard for the points in a more competitive half.
TTU coach Matt Stolarczyk led from the front backed up by Pat Sharp and Justin Palmer. Tyler Mustoe and Brian Graham booted three goals each.
Roos beat rivals
A BARNSTORMING 11-goal final quarter blew the final margin wide open as Heyfield defeated local rival Cowwarr 20.16 (136) to 11.8 (74).
Little separated the top five sides early with the Kangaroos leading by three three goals at quarter-time before the Saints reeled the margin back to single figures by half-time.
Aiming to confirm its hold on a finals berth, Cowwarr kept with the competition leader to trail by 12 points at the final change.
That would be as close as the Saints would come for the remainder of the contest as Jesse Bedggood and Brett Szabo made the forward line their own, enabling the midfielders to draw forward and goal, while also adding eight goals between them.
Bedggood was the Kangaroos' best with Jesse Leeds and former Saint Scott Anderson solid contributors.
Kicking two goals, Tim Johnston had minimal impact in front of goal with the Saints forced to find other avenues to goal. Rick Battista booted three goals.
Kieran McConnell was the Saints' best.
Pies into third
SUCH is the evenness of the competition, Glengarry advanced three positions on the ladder after a comprehensive victory over fellow finals aspirant Churchill.
The Magpies now find themselves in third position following their 56-point victory.
The Magpies led at every change with their 13-goal to five second half one of the best halves of football this season as the home side won 22.13 (145) to 13.11 (89).
Mark Engley finished the contest with nine majors, with Josh King creating headaches of his own for the Cougars' back line, booting seven goals.
Dean Pearce was instrumental, Chris Wangman also impressed, while Robbie Cahill was a solid performer in the midfield.
Dean DeGroot created plenty of opportunities around the ground for the Cougars and was ably assisted by Billy Wight. Brendan Holt kicked four goals.
