Is SALE CITY a genuine finals contender? A 4-0 start to the season suggests the Dogs may indeed be a force to be reckoned with especially after they withstood a third quarter Gormandale charge to win by 25 points.
Three goals to Jake Milham and two a piece to Jake Schuback, Josh Tollner and Beau Wilson, along with a relentless first half attack of the football, steered the Dogs to their fourth straight victory 17.13 (115) to 14.6 (90).
The two sides were neck and neck in the opening term, before the Dogs dominated the scoreboard in the second stanza to lead by 15 points at the long break.
But the Tigers lifted off the canvas to boot six goals to two in the third quarter - two to forward Daniel Trease - to turn the tables and take a seven point lead at the final break and eye the win.
However the Dogs steadied in the fourth to take charge and withstand the Tigers challenge as they threw the gauntlet down to come within a kick of City with five minutes remaining on the clock.
City responded with poise as they booted three unanswered majors to steamroll the Tigers turning their deficit to a match winning advantage before a gate of $2,753 in one of their most impressive starts to the season.
The match promised plenty and while both sides were missing a number of stars the Tigers without key midfielders Daniel Domaille and Shayne Simpson, while their forward line was restructured to cover the loss of Paul Richards and Dane McGenisken.
The Dogs too were missing notable performers of past weeks Adam Brander, Justin McLay and Luke McNally but it didn't halter either side in a classic clash worthy of the competitions front runners.
The Tigers put the first on the board through Frank Marks before a snap at goal by Milham and a long shot from the 50 metre arc by Tolner had the visitors up and running.
A late term goal by Clint Counahan gave City the break at the first change.
It took no time for Trease to register his first, before consecutive goals to Tolner and back man Tim Dimarco pushing up the ground gave the Dogs a respectable lead.
Clever work by Wilson as he soccered the kick off the ground in a snap shot at goal, had the Gormandale defence of Wayne Henry, Marc Adams and Steve Burgess under siege as the visitors added five majors for the term.
Gormandale's plight wasn't helped after Marks was yellow carded after an altercation in the Tigers pocket, the Dogs making the most of the extra man as Tolner continued to amass clearances in the centre of the ground.
The table quickly turned as Trease added his second, as Toby Callanan's dominance in the ruck contest was beginning to be felt.
Consecutive goals to Gormandale saw the home side back in the contest before Wilson got the quick reply for the Dogs with Rowan Bell sealing another ahead of half time.
City stumbled in the third term as they fell to the Tigers pressure, Gormandale dominating to take a seven point lead into the final change.
A snap at goal by Milham reeled the margin back to one point as the Dogs bark returned.
The Dogs tails were wagging with their third unanswered goal regaining the lead.
Paul Rouget's goal kept Gormandale in the contest with team mate Sam Marks major exciting the crowd with the margin back to seven points with five minutes left on the clock.
Showing composure and poise the Dogs responded adding the final three goals of the match, Stefan Mapleson, new recruit Matt Lutze and Tolner among the best.
BOISDALE tasted success for the first time this season, storming home with an eight goal last quarter to overrun Stratford.
Both sides were chasing their first wins and it was the underdogs the Bombers who impressed in the first half with their willingness to commit their bodies over the football.
Aaron Carr loomed as the most dangerous forward on the ground, marking strongly ahead of Swans defence on a number of occasions to kick the Bombers to a quarter time lead.
The Swans began to work their way into the contest in the second, but neither side was able to inflict any damage on the scoreboard with eight behinds scored for the term.
The home side rallied after half time as they blitzed the term scoring 5.3 (33) to 3.2 (20), to reel the margin back to two points at the final change.
The revival was short lived as the Bombers through Carr (six goals) and Andrew Gieshcen (five) ensured the side collected their first premiership points.
Woodside's season is teetering on the brink of collapse after the Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking 26 point loss against CHURCHILL.
The defeat was the Wildcats fifth in succession, leaving their finals ambitions hanging by a thread after just one month of competition.
Inaccuracy in front of goals enabled Woodside to remain in the hunt, the Cougars failing to score a major in the first term although boasting 11 scoring shots.
The home side steadied the ship in the second as they registered four goals to take a six point lead into half time 4.15 (39) to 5.3 (33).
The two sides were neck and neck in the premiership term before Churchill broke the game open in the final quarter booting seven goals to four.
Cougar's midfielder Leigh McDonald was outstanding in a best on ground performance which saw him convert two goals, Trav Brighton and Joey Whykes each kicked three in dominating performances while Brandon Mahoney and Nic Campbell were prominent performers.
GLENGARRY played irresistible football at Heyfield Recreation Reserve, with the Magpies continuing to emerge as a genuine finals contender by downing Heyfield by six goals 15.10 (100) to 8.17 (65).
The Magpies stood up on the big stage in their first big test of the season, booting nine goals to four after half time to set up the win.
Josh King was the pick of the goal kickers for Glengarry booting four, with club stalwart Trev May and Brad Smith instrumental in the side's dominance against the reigning premiers.
COWWARR rejoined the winner's list after a fighting 33 point win over a gallant Rosedale.
The Saints delivered a withering attack on the Blues after quarter time, booting six goals to two as they built a handy 20 point break at the main change.
The match was an even affair in the third term as the visitors kept with the Saints who failed to extend their half time lead.
It was a similar result in the final term as the Blues made the most of their chances in front of goal, in the end it was Cowwarr's strong second term showing that proved the difference.
The Saints marking Lee Coopers 200th club game with the sides third win of the season, 20.12 (132) to 15.9 (99).
Shane Morgan and Matt Cameron provided the ammunition in front of goal finishing with five a piece with Pat Tainsh, Paul Joyce and Shane Galea among the best.
By Lauren Carey
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