The visitors began well with Brendon Rathnow combining with Jake Evans for the opening goal before the Bombers rebounded from defence to register a responding major.

As the rain increased, both sides squandered chances in front of goal before Mitch Bennett scored the first of his first goals.

It would be the first of two in a row for Bennett, with Rathnow contributing his second goal assist for the term before kicking a major himself.

A 50 metre penalty gifted Mitch Evans his first goal as the Bulldogs skipped away to a 19-point lead at the first change.

John Burge got the home side off on the right foot in the second term, booting a goal before Beau Bennett quickly responded from the resulting centre clearance.

The Bombers had their chances, however, their inaccuracy hampered their challenge.

The Bulldogs led by 22 points at half-time.

Outscoring the visitors in the third term, the Bombers reeled in the deficit but were little match for the Bulldogs in the final term.

Regan Tait grabbed three goals for the Bombers, with the ever-reliable Sam Howden adding two.

Simon Jackson was named best-on-ground, captain Nicol Sandison never dropped his colours, adjusting well to the conditions, while Matt Lee played a strong tagging role.

When the game was briefly in the balance, it was City’s talented youngsters who put the pedal down, with the Bennetts sublime, Rathnow was a key in setting up several majors and was among the play throughout the afternoon, while Josh Barbetti was a solid contributor.

Pies pip Blues

GLENGARRY kicked three goals to two in the final term to record a thrilling one-point win against Rosedale.

Little separated the sides, with the Magpies holding a three-point lead at the main change. They narrowly trailed at the final change before winning 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62).

During the first quarter, the sides exchanged blows on the scoreboard with Josh King and Mark Engley the go-to men for the Magpies, while Craig Mayman chipped in with three for the Blues.

The home side led by a point at the first change, a margin it extended to three by half-time.

During the third term, the Blues kicked three majors to two to take a five-point lead into the final change.

The Magpies regained their poise in the final term, outscoring the Blues three goals to two to overrun the opposition in the dying stages for the second week in a row.

Dean Pearce and veteran Trevor May were solid performers for Glengarry.

Jed Hickey and Dale Fleming dogged performers for the Blues.

Clinical Kangaroos

HEYFIELD put on a clinical performance against a depleted Traralgon-Tyers United line-up.

Struggling to make an impact on the scoreboard throughout the contest, the home side was relegated to playing catch-up footy and was simply no match for the ladder leader.

Only registering a major a quarter, the Bombers were left to watch in awe as Heyfield key forwards Daniel Stubbe, who booted five goals, and Jesse Bedggood stretched the home defence.

The Kangaroos won 15.16 (105) to 4.7 (31).

Defenders Scott Anderson and Matt Goodwin were among the Kangaroos’ best, with midfielder Jack Woodland had a bold aggressive approach and fiercely attacked on the ball.

Hayden Hector was the Bombers’ best.

Cougars claw Cats

CHURCHILL defeated Woodside at home by five goals.

Breaking away to an early three-goal lead, the Cougars were well served in on the ball by Brandon Mahoney and Travis Brighton, who gave their fellow midfielders and forwards first use of the ball.

The Cougars extended the led to 36 points by the main change.

There was little reprieve in the second half for the Wildcats, who struggled to match the pace of the Cougars on the wide open spaces of Gaskin Park.

The home side won 17.11 (113) to 12.11 (83).

Demons beat Saints

YARRAM recorded its second win of the season despite a scoreless final term against Cowwarr.

The Demons again faded in the final term.

Despite this, Cowwarr could only add 1.4, which did little to eat into Yarram’s 88-point three quarter lead.

The home side won 20.13 (133) to 8.7 (55).

Yarram began strongly with a 10-goal to four first half. The going didn’t get any easier for the Saints, who felt the effects of the Demons’ potent forward structure, which slammed on 10 goals during a blistering third term.

The Demons had 12 goal kickers for the match, led by Ryan Underwood with four and Corbin Sutherland three.

Siaosi Lay-Blake was the Saints’ best, with Sean Alexander and Cory Banister solid performers.

GORMANDALE had the bye.