Heyfield supporters could be excused for suffering from a sense of dejavu on Saturday when for the second time in as many seasons ROSEDALE squashed the Kangaroos chances of sealing a finals berth.
However the Kangaroos received a slight reprieve with top five sides TTU and Churchill both suffering shock defeats which now leaves the door ajar for the Kangaroos to sneak inside the five.
Outclassed by a sleek looking outfit, the Kangaroos broke the shackles early leading by over four goals at quarter time.
The tables turned in the second term with last season's grand finalists booting seven majors to two in a stellar quarter which gave the Blues a five point lead at the main break, one they would extend to six points at the final change.
Rosedale headed the coach's words in the opening minutes of the final term to extend their hold on the match to two straight kicks, coach Brad Caldwell calling for his side to work hard to achieve the little things - tackles, chases while making sure they made the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
The Kangaroos quickly responded Josh Neille scoring before Nic Dowse stepped up to open his account, the home side had their third unanswered when Sean Humphreys slotted through his first of two for the term.
The crowd came to life as they got behind their home town heroes, but the celebrations were short lived with Ross McDermott regaining the lead for the Blues.
A free kick to Heyfield's David Kelly in the centre of the ground saw the classy midfielder drill the ball into warrior forward Brett Szabo who split the sticks.
Consistent with the see sawing theme of the term, a snap in the goal square to Rohan Diamond turned the tables again as the Blues younger players stepped up on the big stage.
Both sides desperation was evident, Rosedale's Dale Fleming throwing the ball on the boot in order to score. Flemings kick falling short of the goals, big man Brad Caldwell roving the pack, his mid air kick missing the sticks.
Heyfield's Justin Cox pounced on the ball up the Kangaroos defender quick to get his kick out of the Blues forward line. Quickly drilling the ball forward the Kangaroos failed to hit a target the Blues defence quickly drawing forward, Andrew Flanagan finding space to mark unopposed his shot from 40 metres out scoring true.
Ruckman John Cantwell's kick from the edge of the centre square into Flanagan appeared set to seal the match; however Flanagan's shot sprayed the face of goal to miss everything.
The Kangaroos' quickly moved the ball forward, Humphreys' goaling after the siren with the home side falling agonisingly short, 15.13 (103) to 14.15 (99).
Rosedale captain Chris King led from the front, with Flanagan's bag of six aiding the side to victory.
Nick Iwanov stepped up for the Kangaroos making the most of his opportunities, with Jesse Bedggood and Sean Humphreys solid contributors.
With the mercurial former Collingwood premiership player Peter Daicos watching from the sidelines, the top of the table showdown between SALE CITY and Glengarry failed to disappoint with the Collingwood great highly impressed by the quality of the contest.
In a finals type atmosphere it was the reigning premiers that jumped out of the blocks. City's dominating 20 minutes seeing the side draw away to a 19 point lead, before the Magpies found flight to draw back a major at half time.
It would be the Dogs dominating first quarter that would serve them well, with the two sides going goal for goal in the second half to match one another's score on the board.
The second placed Magpies finding themselves 10 points short at the final siren 19.9 (123) to 17.11 (113).
Sale Citys ever reliable players rose to the occasion, Jake Schuback booted a game high six majors, the league's leading goal kicker allowed room to roam free and at times created something out of nothing.
Centreman Stefan Mapleson impressed tallying possessions as he dominated the contests; Corey Turner and Jesse Broadbent were solid contributors.
The Magpies were served well by best on ground Ryan Potter who continues his stellar form of the past month, while Brad Smith and Michael Black worked hard to create opportunities.
TTU's finals ambitions suffered a massive blow on Saturday following the sides somewhat shock loss at the hands of rival Bombers BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG.
Very little separated the two sides throughout the match, Boisdale leading on the scoreboard in the opening half before a solid third quarter effort from the Valley Bombers saw the side lead by the smallest of margins one point at the final change.
With a berth in the top five hinging on TTU's performances in the final month of the competition, it was the Boisdale Bombers who rose to the occasion booting four of the final six majors of the match to run out 11 point victors.
Boisdale's John Burge led the charge in front of goals booting four, with Liam Hurst chipping in with three.
Defender Leigh Fulford was instrumental for the Boisdale in the last line of defence, while Adam Helmke opened up the Bombers attack in the middle of the ground.
TTU's Chris Graham was impressive with Wade McNeill and Tim Aitken booting three a piece.
GORMANDALE laid the foundation for its 14.11 (95) to 11.11 (77) win over finals contender Churchill with an five goal to one opening quarter marking former coach Wayne Henrys 200th club match in style.
It had been a lean six weeks for the Tigers whose last win came in round 10. Led by key defender turned forward Steve Burgess who booted four, the home side got the jump before the Cougars clicked into gear in the second term.
The match was evenly placed at the main break both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Tigers taking a 15 point lead at the break.
The Cougars turned the tables in the premiership term exploding out of the blocks, their solid quarter reversing the tables to put the Tigers five points behind at the final change. Gormandale wasn't content in lying down, the Tigers regaining their composure in the break to slam on 5.4 (34) to 1.5 (11) to severally dent the Cougars hold on a finals berth.
Gaining a call up from the reserves Gavin Swan was instrumental in the Tigers victory; Shaun Higgins and Brendan Solomon were also valuable contributors.
For the visitor's midfielder Brandon Mahoney dominated in and around the contests, Corey Thomson was a standout finishing the match with a bag of four with ruckman Andrew Brown influential.
Third placed COWWARR flexed their muscle against Stratford, the Saints holding the Swans to four majors in the opening half as they slammed on 17 majors in a one sided contest.
The weeks break did little to hinder the Saints performance as they booted the sec
ond highest score of the season, 31.7 (193) to 8.4 (52).
Chris Stasinowsky was sublime in front of goals for the second time in a month the key forward piped up with a bag of 11 majors.
Saints Coach Cory Bannister led from the front with livewire Brett Street and Vincent O'Mara dominate as the side looks towards finals action.
For the Swans Greg Fenton led from the front with Steve McKerrow and Rowan Marsden solid performers.
By Lauren Carey
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