Gippsland Times | A STRONG second half gave Heyfield victory over Churchill in the rematch of last year's North Gippsland football grand final rematch.
The round one blockbuster lived up to expectations early before the fitness of the Kangaroos reigned supreme.
The Kangaroos ran rampant in the second half, turning a 17-point deficit into a 31-point victory, 14.16 (100) to 10.9 (69).
Runners-up the past two seasons, the Kangaroos left the Cougars in their wake in the final term, booting 6.7 to a mere two behinds. Josh Stubbe booted four of Heyfield's final term majors.
Celebrations began early for Churchill with club president Mick Johnson and captain Chris Williams unfurling the 2014 premiership flag ahead of the big clash. As the flag wafted over proceedings, the home side marked its intentions early slotting through the opening goal through Brendan Holt.
Such was the tenacity of both sides, it took seven minutes for the first major to be registered, and some minutes later for Heyfield to kick its first. A 50 metre penalty gifted Jack Woodland with his first for the afternoon and provided the Kangaroos with momentum to add another ahead of quarter-time.
Little separated the sides in the first half with Churchill holding the upper hand in the second term with majors to Nic Campbell and Hamish Towns.
Despite their best attempts the Kangaroos could only slice seven points off the half-time deficit during an epic third term to trail by 10 points at the final change.
In a big final term which belonged to the visitors, they registered six straight majors with the home side was left wanting. The quarter resembled a training drill as the Kangaroos dominated.
Recruit Jams Beha won the ruck contests against Andrew Brown, providing Woodland, Stubbe and Daniel Stevens first use of the ball. Brett Hudson was influential in directing the Kangaroos' forward structure, recording a number of goal assists in the final term, while fellow recruit Ash Duggan booted two second half majors.
Struggling to move the ball past centre half-forward, the Cougars' final term fade-out was a disappointing conclusion to what had been an epic contest up until three-quarter-time.
For the premiers defender Dean DeGroot accounted for several opponents, coach Allan Chandler was the old hand in defence, Dale Patterson held his own in the midfield and Towns finished the contest with three majors.
