Rosedale and TTU fought out a titanic battle fitting of the Anzacs as the two sides enthralled the large crowd. The battle on the field a true test of spirit as both sides exemplified the true meaning of the Anzac spirit.
At dusk Blues and Bomber players stood in the middle of the ground as the crowd joined them in paying their respect, the bugle playing out the last post before the coin toss to start proceedings.
Rosedale led by six points at quarter time, the tables turned in the second term with the Bombers kicking away to a 16 point lead at halftime and they led at three quarter time by a point.
The final margin was TTU by five points, 10.7 (67) to 8.14 (62).
From the outset, neither team could dispose of the other, the two sides shutting down one another's game when needed as the Bombers withstood the Blues dominance in their attacking 50 metre arc.
Rosedale moved along the wing goal ward bound, before the lights went out on proceedings with players forced from the field before the match was again under way after a short break.
The Blues had their opportunities in the opening term, however butchered chances in front of goal, their attacking impotence evidenced by the lack luster return of three goals in both the first and second terms.
It was the visitors who found the edge in the second term, with an unanswered four goal burst, set-up by their hard running midfielders among them Wade McNeil which gave them a 16 point lead into the main break.
While the temperature plummeted to under 10 degrees the competition on the field was red hot, as the Bombers looked to break away to a commanding match winning lead midway through the third term before the Blues turned it on in a blistering 10 minute purple patch.
Adam Brady kept the Bombers in front after scoring from deep in the pocket, as the visitors looked poised to run away with the contest.
It took some 40 minutes for the Blues to break through for their fourth major, Craig Mayman goaling after ruck man John Cantwell sat the ball up for the marking forward.
It was quickly followed by another, Dale Flemings shot on the run from the centre square exciting the crowd, it was followed by consecutive behinds to Chris King and Fleming as the Blues chipped away at the margin.
The stage was set for a pulsating final term with the Bombers leading by one point at the final change of ends.
Both sides had their opportunities in the final term, TTU peppered away at the sticks however only converted two of their eight shots at goal which proved enough to hold off the fast finishing Blues.
Bomber Wayne Carmody, Luke Pain and Michael Hall were among the best in their side's second win of the season with McNeill the pick of the goal scorers with three.
For the home side captain King and Fleming were among the best with Mayman finishing with two majors.
Wet weather football made a return to Gippsland on Saturday, with the match of the round between emerging force Sale City and reigning premiers Heyfield played out in wet and slippery conditions.
Set to be their first tough assignment in a challenging month on the fixture Sale City were quick to turn it on against one of the competitions best.
The writing was on the wall from the opening term when the Dogs came out running and tackling, making the Kangaroos seem flat-footed in the challenging conditions.
The Dogs burst out of the blocks from the opening bounce booting six goals to one to establish a commanding lead at the first change, which kept the reigning premiers at bay for the remainder of the contest.
Beau Wilson and Adam Walker provided the spark for the home side, Stefan Mapleson impressed while Rowan Bell was their main artillery in front of goal in the absence of Jake Schuback.
The tables turned in the second quarter as the visitors chipped away at the score line, the Kangaroos booting four majors to three as they worked hard to remain in the contest.
Heyfield came within 20 points midway through the second term before a late snap at goal by the Dogs extended the margin at half time, 9.5 (59) to 5.2 (32).
The goals dried up in the third term with three majors kicked for the quarter.
Heyfield weren't without their chances the side butchered a number of easy chances in front of goal, which had they of scored it, would have made for an interesting final term.
The visitors got the first after the change before the Dogs booted their only major for the quarter, as play battled out between the two half back lies with neither side able to have an impact on the scoreboard.
Heyfield broke the ascendency through Matt Millar who kicked one of three majors for the match to bring the premiers to within four goals, but two missed shots directly in front proved costly with the margin 20 points at the final break.
Justin Cox burst from the goal square to start the final term, his shot at goal registering a behind for Heyfield.
City missed consecutive goals from deep in the pocket before they slammed on three unanswered majors in the final 10 minutes of the term, Bell booting two in as many minutes to bury the visitors 14.11 (95) to 7.7 (49).
Josh Neille was impressive in the middle of the ground adding an injection of pace for the Kangaroos in a best on ground performance, with Stuart Taylor and Jake Shingles notable performers.
CHURCHILL chalked up four straight wins with a comprehensive 58 point victory over Stratford on the road.
The Cougars 16.15 (111) to 7.11 (53) triumph over the Swans is their fourth straight win and takes them to 4-0 for the season, while the struggling Swans slump to 0-4.
Dale Paterson kicked four goals for Churchill to take his tally to five for the season, while Dean Jenkins, Trav Brighton and Brandon Mahoney were all instrumental in the comfortable win.
Stratford kept the score reasonably close until the third quarter, but never seemed likely to cause the upset, with Jack Davidson their only multiple goal kicker with two.
Dylan Cartwright, Gavin Bickery and Matt McConnell contributed for the home side.
Churchill managed to stretch their lead in the third term, Paterson and Leigh McDonald helping the Cougars to kick four goals to two for the quarter for a 44 point lead at the last change.
The final term was then a procession as Churchill boosted their percentage and solidified their place at the top of the table.
GORMANDALE laid the foundation for its 22.24 (156) to 4.11 (35) win over Woodside with a four goal to nil second quarter.
The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Tigers taking a 19 point lead at the break.
The Tigers kicked four unanswered goals in a blistering surge in the second term to have the Wildcats on their knees. Led by best on ground David Downes in the midfield and Daniel Trease in front of goals the 30 minute onslaught killed the contest.
Woodside tired hard to match the Tigers in the opening half but failed to execute any score board pressure with the side's inaccuracy in front of goals proving costly.
Gormandale exploded out of the blocks after the long change booting 12 goals to one, to romp home 121 point victors and claim the Toms Cap Cup.
Trease was the pick of the forwards booting eight while Downes (three) and Lee Stockdale (three) made the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
GLENGARRY blew Cowwarr out of the water in the first half to seal their third straight win to start the season.
The high flying Magpies came out hungry from the onset, as they continued their impressive start to the season with a seven goal to two first term.
Glengarry were relentless all day, leading by 33 points at the first change before extending the margin out to 55 points by half time.
But the Magpies struggled to maintain their pressure as the talented Saints' lineup flexed their muscles, rallying in the second half to out score the home side seven goals to five.
The Saints dominate second half performance reeling the margin back in the final term, as they held Glengarry to a solitary major in a dominant last quarter display.
Glengarry had an impressive spread of goal kickers, with Brad Smith, Josh Piper and Josh King each kicking three.
Cowwarr's Shane Morgan led the way up forward with three goals.
By Lauren Carey
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