Saturday was a must win clash for HEYFIELD and the enormity of the task wasn't lost on coach Adrian Cox's chargers as they led from the front against a spirited Gormandale line-up.
The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Kangaroos taking a two goal lead into the first change of ends.
The visitors exploded out of the blocks in the second term, their solid quarter putting the Tigers 51 points behind at the main break.
Dropping the four points last round against Rosedale, the Kangaroos appeared destined to miss out on a finals berth. However the side bounced back in style to ensure they remain in the hunt in the final fortnight of competition.
Mark Johnston was named best on ground, with Jack Lipman and Harry Cross valuable contributors. Sean Humphries and Lyell Berry were the pick of the goal kickers finishing the match with three a piece.
While the damage was inflicted in the second stanza, the Tigers led by Nick Rutter and Leroy Hollingsworth held the Kangaroos at bay in the second half. The home side kept within a goal of their opponents for the half, but it was the Kangaroos eight goal to two second term which killed the contest.
TTU slammed on 11 majors from the five minute mark of the first term to late in the first half before the Wildcats managed to trouble the scoreboard.
It was a goal frenzy in the opening half with the Bombers bursting out of the blocks as they aimed to consolidate their hold on fourth position.
Daniel Hawking got the Bombers off to the right start registering his first major, before the Graham brothers Brian and Chris followed with consecutive majors as the Wildcats struggled to clear centre halfback.
A toe poke shot at goal by Luke Blackwood continued the Bombers momentum, as the Wildcats felt the effects of a number of omissions from the side including the Rob McKay and key back man Wayne Jarred.
The floodgates threatened to open wide up, however a wayward shot at goal by Tim Aitken provided slight reprieve for the visitors whose backline led by Clint Hillas and Frank Triantafyllou toiled tirelessly to set their side up down the ground.
Such was the momentum of the Bombers in the first half, they successfully put up a wall which resulted in Wildcats play makers struggling to create drive through the middle of the ground as Michael Hall and Brian Graham inflicted the damage in and around the contest.
Aitken added his first followed by one of Leigh O'Mara's three for the match, before the Wildcats through Phil Pavey and Clint Staley made one of their few entries into the forward line.
An impressive piece of play followed Matt Calvert and Anthony Jago setting up play, Jago threading the ball into the forward line the Bombers defence dropping back to spoil Clint Staley's marking opportunity.
The Bombers continued to share the goals, as they lined up for their opportunities in front of the sticks before Jago broke through to register Woodside's first ahead of the long change.
It was a different side that emerged from the half time break, Woodside firing all barrels in the second half adding two majors without score from the home side as a number of their players emerged with a bounce in their step.
Triantafyllou was superb in holding Aiken to one major as the imposing forward option made way for O'Mara, the Brian brothers and Blackwood to share the load.
A late goal to Woodside's Brock Dyke resulting in the visitors claiming the honours for the term.
The Bombers couldn't break the Wildcats shackles in the final stanza, the sides engaged in an arm wrestle as the visitors continued to up their intensity with their ball control and second efforts improving as the match drew on.
TTU were caught reeling with a number of flashy passages of play quickly coming unstuck, Wade McNeill run down after trying to dash through the middle of the ground while Jago's chase and tackle on Justin Palmer would be one for the highlights reel.
Two late majors by youngster Ryan Foat made the scoreboard more complimentary as the Bombers firmed their hold on a finals berth.
The Dogs were never headed after a second quarter blitz where they piled on six goals to two to set up a 19.8 (122) to 4.7 (31).
Ladder leaders SALE CITY were simply sublime as they made the Stratford Recreation Reserve their own dominating the centre clearances and scoring from all areas of the forward 50 arc.
Jake Schuback and Michael Walsh owned the forward line, the pair booting eight and four goals respectively as they stretched the Swans defence who struggled to contain the Dogs various scoring options, the duo two of eight individual goal scorers.
Dog's defender Luke McNally provided plenty of drive and run from the backline, Jesse Broadbent and coach Nick Hider were also impressive.
For the Swans Cory Key was a key figure in the sides challenge, Rowan Marsden worked hard to halt the Dogs play makers and Lewis Bolton was a tireless contributor throughout the match.
Third placed COWWARR recorded a 28 point victory over a persistent Boisdale/Briagolong.
Little separated the two sides at the first change, with the Saints adding a further three points to their lead at half time 6.5 (41) to 4.4 (28).
Led by best on ground captain Luke Cooper the Saints booted three goals to two in the premiership term, as the Bombers failed to go away. David Ivey and Brad McBride providing the vocal point in the forward line the pair two of only four goal scorers for the Saints, which was remarkable given their recent showings in front of goal.
The goals dried up for both sides in the final term, three goals shared between them in a low scoring affair.
Cooper was well supported by Ivey in the forward line; defender Kevin Hood was solid while Brett Street created pace.
For the Bombers Matt Phelan led from the front, fleet footed Adam Helmke was a live way in front of goals booting two while Justin Dingwall created play from defence.
By Lauren Carey
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