It has been some 14 weeks in the making and on Saturday in front of a large home crowd BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG broke through to open their season account against old Riviera League foe Stratford.

Withstanding an early charge from the Swans in the final stanza, the baby Bombers appeared likely to concede their three quarter time lead as they struggled to register a major as Stratford kept coming at the Bombers scoring two quick goals to reel the margin back to one straight kick.

The Bombers steely resolved held strong as they desperately held the Swans at bay, each time Stratford pushed forward Boisdale/Briagolong's defenders responded - Leigh Fulford superb on the last line of defence with Justin Dingwell a standout.

Mistakes began to dominate the play; Marty McDonough's slips catch in the forward 50 was followed by a grass cutter shot at goal which would have put the Swans within points of the Bombers. A dropped mark by Dylan Minchin saw the Swan goal sneaks frustration evident, but it wasn't only the Swans that were making mistakes Bomber Matt Freeman missed a give me in front of goal as the coaching panel worked hard to rotate with a one man bench in the final term.

Loosing Tom Howson with a shoulder injury and John Burge early in the clash the Bombers depleted bench could have been their undoing in the closing minutes of the match but strong rotations in the early part of the match proved advantageous.

Stratford started the match strongly sealing the opener with less than a minute on the clock, as the Swans worked hard to contain play within their forward half of the ground. Bombers back line of Ben Mielke, Freeman, Dingwell and Fulford worked hard as they restricted the visitors to 3.4 (22) at the first break. The Swans inaccuracy keeping the door ajar, as the Bombers scored two late goals courteous of Joel Lambourne and Ross Harris ahead of the quarter time siren.

Kaine Allen added to his possession count in the early stages of the second term, as the Swans again hit the score board captain Gavin Bickery before a stellar individual performance by the pacey Jarryd Closhey. Two bounces on the run a sly handpass out the side to Minchin allowed Closhey to step round the man to again receive the pass and goal on the run.

Burge opened his account which would be his only major for the match before leaving the ground injured ahead of half time, 5.5 (35) to 6.8 (44).

Allen put the Bombers within three points, before Ryan Gellie goaled seven minutes into the term handing Boisdale the lead for the first time.

Scrappy hard play followed with neither side able to gain an edge, working hard in their forward pocket the baby Bombers slowly moved the ball goal ward tall Anthony Talbot scoring as the home side took a handy three goal buffer into the final change.

There was an evident spring in the Bombers step coach Daniel Sandeman patting each of his players on the back as they made their way into the three quarter time huddle.

But it was the Swans who flew to life in the final stanza, Dylan Cartwright scoring quickly before James Russell dribbled the ball through the sticks to make it two in as many minutes.

A decade ago ROSEDALE held the Cougars goalless for over a half of football on their way to breaking their 36 premiership drought. With members of the winning premiership team watching from the boundary on Saturday the current crop of ‘Blue Boys' did exactly the same to Churchill in a one sided contest.

Trailing by over eight goals at half time, the Cougars failed to trouble the scoreboard in the second term with the Blues threatening to blow the game apart with a six goal quarter. The charge in front of goals led by Andrew Flanagan and Ross McDermott who booted five and two respectively.

Rosedale's dominance was inflicted in the midfield with ruckman John Cantwell sublime in a best on ground performance the big man setting up the classy midfield of Justin Emery and Chris King who amassed the centre clearances early against a luck lustre Cougar outfit.

The premiership term was an even contest Churchill opening their account with two majors with the brakes halted on Rosedale's charge. Churchill Coach Tim Darby leading from the front booting three majors as he looked to spark his chargers.

A match winning opening half ensuring the Blues remain in contention for a finals berth while the Cougars now find themselves relegated to sixth position following consecutive losses.

Inaccuracy in front of goals proved costly in the match of the round between the Saints and Magpies, with COWWARR turning their early season four point defeat at the hands of Glengarry into a comfortable 22 point victory in their second encounter.

Since their round three loss the Saints have been the competitions biggest improvers winning nine of their past 10 matches, with the side all but guaranteed a finals berth for the first time in five years.

Meeting their match the Magpies struggled to hold off the Saints challenge. Cowwarr were well served by midfielder Jordon Bourke, defender Scott Anderson and Shane Morgan with the home side sealing their first victory against a side ranked above them on the premiership ladder standings.

For the Magpies the loss was their first in two months and comes ahead of the sides clash against an unpredictable Rosedale line-up.

Last Saturdays thrashing of a fellow top five side has been described as one of SALE CITY's most impressive games to date, the Dogs showed no signs of slowing down as they continued their dominance over the competition with a 102 point victory against a toothless Gormandale outfit, 19.15 (129) to 4.3 (27).

Led by captain Beau Wilson and the classy Josh Tollner who made the most of his opportunities in front of goal booting a bag of seven, the Dogs had all the answers.

Keeping with the ladder leaders in the opening term, the Tigers fell away scoring a mere 2.2 (14) for the remainder of the contest.

City's Stefan Mapleson was impressive amassing possessions in the middle of the ground while scoring strongly when pressing forward. Brad McKay's season continues to gain momentum with youngster Pat Rowe impressing.

For the Tigers Adam Jaensch's inclusion has been a welcomed return for the yellow and black faithful, captain Daniel Domaille was dominate while Sam Marks and coach Paul Henry worked tirelessly to lift their side.

Less than three goals separated HEYFIELD and Woodside in their clash at half time, before a 10 goal second half by the Kangaroos saw the side record a 41 point victory 15.15 (105) to 9.10 (64).

The Kangaroos seventh win of the season seeing the side climb from sixth position on the ladder into finals contention now sitting in fourth place.

The match was an even keel early on before the Kangaroos hit their straps, experienced campaigners Brett Szabo and Nathan Wellins leading the charge. Szabo the vocal point in front of goals finishing the match with five while coach Adrian Cox was instrumental in the sides dominate second half performance.

For the home side Luke Anedda put in a strong performance in the middle of the ground, defenders Wayne Jarred and Clint Hillas worked hard to restrict Heyfield's many avenues to goal. Brett Dyke and Anthony Pavey were the pick of the goal kickers finishing with two apiece.

By Lauren Carey