It was a tough day at the office for Stratford coach Luke Henderson in his final match at the helm of the Swans.The home side struggled in near perfect conditions the Swans outplayed in all aspects by a red hot ROSEDALE unit who slammed on nine goals in the opening term.
While the sun shone on proceedings it was raining goals, as the Blues burst out of the blocks in a dominating opening term.
It was all one way traffic as the Swans were left flat footed after posting the opening score a behind in the early stages of the first quarter.
After that it was all Rosedale, the Blues piling on goal after goal with stellar running and drive from the middle of the ground setting forwards Brad Caldwell, Rick Galea and Nick Diamond up in the opening term.
The visitors taking a 55 point lead into the first change.
John Mayman broke through to record Stratford’s first major half way through the second term which saw the Blues add ten goals to one.
Galea added one of his four in the second followed by Caldwell who swooped on the lose ball to snap and goal.
Consecutive goals to Caldwell tested the Swans backline as they became more despondent, Al Beechey, Rod O’Keefe and Anthony Goode working hard to stop the Blues forwards.
Matt Cogan sprinted through the middle of the ground from the centre bounce to goal on 50, before Caldwell had his third for the term.
The Blues extending their quarter time lead to 111 points at the long break.
At one stage early in the third term, the deficit was out to 130 points before the Swans managed to score a few junk-time goals.
Jarrod Closhey and Marty McDonough splitting the sticks as they broke through the Blues rock solid defence of Joe Caldwell, Dean Morrison, Tim Huffer and Justin Smith.
An up and under kick by Henderson split the sticks as the Swans got off on the right foot in the final term.
The Blues were subdued in the fourth taking their foot off the well-used pedal to finish the term with three majors.
Incredibly, the Blues had 12 individual goal kickers in yet another even spread.
Craig Mayman amassed possessions in a best on ground performance with Alan Ward and Dale Fleming standouts.
For the Swans, Chris Camm worked hard and was the club's best four quarter performer.
Reigning premier CHURCHILL’s premiership defence continues to gain momentum with the Cougars brushing aside fellow flag contender Woodside to the tune of 119 points.
It was one way traffic early in the clash, the Wildcats left flat footed as the home side led by best on ground Chris Williams went about establishing a handy break at quarter time.
The Cougars nine goal second term blowing the margin out to 79 points at the long change, courtesy of some sharp shooting by Nathan McDonald and Nick Campbell who had a major impact in front of goals.
The visitors found the goals in the third term booting four goals to five as they matched the Cougars to reel the deficit back to 88 points as the final change.
But the momentum swung back the way of Churchill in the final term as they accelerated away from the opposition to record their eighth straight victory.
McDonald was a standout in the forward line, Travis Brighton and Campbell solid performers as the reigning premiers prime themselves for Saturday’s qualifying final.
Wildcats Mark Collison, Nick Stockdale and Ronnie Burns toiled tirelessly for the visitors, who welcomed the return of Staley to the line-up on the eve of finals.
Staley’s four goal haul sealing him the leagues goal kicking honours, finishing two goals ahead of last years winner McDonald who finished the season with 72 majors.
Minor Premiers HEYFIELD sealed their thirteenth win on the run with a 13 goal victory over TTU.
Booting eight goals to three in the opening half the Kangaroos hit their straps in the third kicking 9.4 (58) to 0.2 (2).
Veteran Roo Brett Szabo ensured the scoreboard ticked over for his side the forward booting six in a best on ground performance, with Nick Dowse contributing three majors.
Ruckman Andrew Stevens dominated, along with Joel Dinsdale and ball magnet Luke Conway who provided plenty of drive for Heyfield.
Finishing strongly with a five goal final term the Bombers were well served by Michael Hall and Wayne Carmody with Justin Palmer the pick of the goal kickers finishing with three.
GORMANDALE sealed consecutive victories, after the Tigers got the better of Cowwarr to run home comfortable ten goal victors 14.18 (102) to 5.11 (41).
The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Tigers taking a mere one point lead into the break.
Gormandale set the tone in the second term as they looked to hold the upper hand, Lee Renton providing the Tigers with first use of the ball in a standout individual performance.
The momentum continued to favour the Tigers after the main change their solid third term putting the Saints 31 points behind at the start of the fourth.
Luke Hegarty and Sam Marks were among the goals for the home side booting three a piece while Steve Cooper was the pick of the goal kickers for Cowwarr finishing with two.
Saint Luke Cooper was judged best a field for the visitors with Jordon Bourke and Patrick Tainsh valuable contributors.
A five bag haul from BOISDALE’s Ben Carr aided the Bombers in their clash against Sale City.
Trailing by nine points at the first change the Bombers reversed the tables in the second, an 18 point turn around seeing the home side go into half time break nine points up 7.6 (48) to 5.9 (39).
The Bombers defence worked tirelessly in the third term as they kept the Dogs at bay, Boisdale booting five goals to one for the quarter to establish a 35 point lead at the final change.
City came at the Bombers in the final term, but the home sides damaging premiership term guaranteed victory.
Boisdale’s Don Veale dominated the ruck hit outs, Winston Gieschen amassed possessions while Ben Plozza has proven to be a valuable addition to the side this season.
David Downes booted four for the visitors with Tom Bowman, Beau Wilson and Jake Schuback among the best for the Dogs.
WEEK ONE FINALS:
QUALIFYING FINAL – Churchill V Boisdale, Saturday 22rd August, Heyfield
ELIMINATION FINAL – Woodside v Gormandale, Sunday 23rd August, Rosedale
By Lauren Carey
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