Gippsland Times |
ROSEDALE retained the Slattery-Burley Cup with a 20-point victory over Sale City.
The 14.13 (97) to 9.17 (71) victory moved the Blues past the Bulldogs into second place on the North Gippsland football ladder.
The visiting Bulldogs got out of the blocks in quick fashion, establishing a handy 13-point buffer following their four-goal to two first term.
The honours went to Rosedale in the second term as the Blues regained composure to turn the tables and lead by a straight kick at half-time.
Led by best-on-ground Brandon McDonald and defender Frazar Brouns, the Blues found their feet.
Andrew Flanagan stood tall in the forward line, kicking six goals to take his season tally to 46. Flanagan was equally matched by McDonald and Brad Scott, who made the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
Booting five goals to two during the third quarter, the Blues extended the margin to 21 points.
City's challenge was driven by Luke Hedger, Jake Schuback and Brad Walsh, who worked hard to drive the ball into the forward line of Mitch Bennett (who kicked three goals), Nick Grainger (two) and Beau Bennett, who were closely guarded by Rosedale's back six.
Although keeping within reach, the Bulldogs didn't have the cavalry to match the Blues in the second half as the home side failed to drop their guard.
Eight wins for Roos
HEYFIELD now sits a win clear of Rosedale and Sale City following its eighth win of the season against Woodside.
Jesse Bedggood (five goals) and Josh Stubbe (three) ran amuck in front of goal, ably assisted by a further six individual goal scorers in the 16.11 (107) to 12.11 (83) win.
Heyfield led by 16 points at the first change before slotting six majors to four in the second term to extended the lead by 29 points by the long break.
The third term was an arm wrestle as both sides struggled to find the goals. Matt Goodwin and Dave Kelly were prolific play makers as the Kangaroos did enough to take a commanding seven-goal break into the final change.
Woodside dug deep in the final term, booting six goals to three.
Andrew Kiely and Matt Scholz were the Wildcats' best, while Justin Staley kicked five goals.
Positive performance
SIX goals from Shane Morgan was just one of a number of positives for Cowwarr, which marked its second win on the run with a comprehensive 10-goal victory against Gormandale.
Best-on-ground Pat Tainsh was among everything, Ben Coffey was solid, Shane Galea set-up opportunities in the forward line, Luke Cooper and Cory Bannister directed traffic in the midfield and Lee Cooper led a strong back line. There was plenty to like in the Saints' 16.20 (116) to 7.14 (56) win.
However, the Saints' inaccuracy in front of goal could have hampered their chances had they not put the foot to the floor in the final term to run home big winners.
The Tigers began well, with captain Luke Hegarty drilling the ball from the centre bounce to the leading Wayne Henry, who slotted through his first of his three goals in the opening minute of play.
While the Tigers were competitive in patches, it was mostly one-way traffic with the Saints playing a harder hitting game on their home turf.
Leading by 17 points at the first change, the Saints, through Simon Ferguson, Ben Plozza and Galea, looked to coast away in the second term but were hampered by not only their inaccuracy in front of goal, but the Tigers' ability to run off half-back to set-up opportunities in their attack.
Daniel Domaille and Jackson Beani were among the play creating and setting up opportunities for the Tigers. Equally, Matt Sherdian, when pushing forward, mounted increased forward pressure on the Saints defenders as the Tigers worked hard to reel in the margin.
Trailing by over five goals at half-time, the Tigers' lockdown style of play contained the Saints in the third term, but did little to eat into the deficit.
The final term belonged to the Saints, who were unstoppable with three late goals to inflict more pain on the scoreboard for the 10th placed Tigers. The win evens Cowwarr's season ledger at 4-4.
TTU top Bomber
TRARALGON-Tyers United recorded its second win of the season accounting for fellow Bombers Boisdale-Briagolong.
TTU's eight-goal opening term was a highlight as it won 17.14 (116) to 11.9 (75).
After the sides kicked 12 goals between them in the first quarter, the second was no less exciting with the team continuing to exchange blows on the scoreboard.
Boisdale-Briagolong's challenge was mounted by best-on-ground Jon Burge and Danny Pratt, who booted three goals piece, while it was a six-goal haul from Jordon Anderson lead TTU's charge in front of goal.
Boisdale-Briagolong continued to match the home side, however, it was TTU's quick start which held it in good stead.
Hayden Hector, Jake Power and Nic Rutter continued their impressive form for TTU.
Cougars demolish Demons
CHURCHILL claimed fourth position on the ladder and significantly boosted its percentage with a 115-point win at Yarram.
The Cougars railroaded the Demons from the opening bounce, booting seven goals to one in the first quarter.
Led by coach Allan Chandler, the Cougars built their ascendency to own the contest with the second half resembling a training drill at times with Churchill slamming home 17 majors to four.
Brad Knowles kicked five goals, Andrew Brown and Brendan Holt four each, and Joe Whykes and Nic Campbell three each as the Cougars sent a clear message to opposition sides with their 28.15 (183) to 9.14 (68) win.
Travis Brighton continued his prolific ball winning, youngsters Nic Celima and Tyson Webb were tireless with big man Andrew Brown an imposing figure in the contest for Churchill. Yarram was served well by Jack Moore, with Corbin Sutherland booting two majors.
GLENGARRY had the bye.
