Led by Brad Smith, Danial White and Chris Panayiotou in a defining premiership quarter, the Magpies made their mark reversing a three point half time deficit into a one goal lead at the final change of ends.

Jack Robertson and Smith were the standouts in front of goal booting five majors between them, with the duo scoring consecutive majors in the second half that set the tone for the victors.

In their first finals appearance in over five seasons the Saints came to play rising to the challenge of the big stage, with the side registering the first major some eight minutes into the contest.

It was one way traffic early the Saints packing numbers around the stoppages, with their rovers reading the taps better than the Magpies and pumping the ball into a wide open forward line.

The match began with a touch of the fumbles, with both sides failing to make effective use of the footy before the Saints drew on the finals experience of a number of their seasoned campaigners to compose and dominate passages of play.

Cowwarr's Robbie Ferguson scored the opening major before team mate Brad McBride missed consecutive shots at goal the Saints leading goal scorer failing to trouble the scoreboard.

McBride was a prolific ball winner in the forward line early for the Saints however the sides leading goal kicker struggled to settle the nerves. Cowwarr booting 1.8 (14) to Glengarry's 0.1 (1) in an arm wrestle opening term.

The Magpies soon found their feet, King opening his sides account in the first minute of the second term, before the scoreboard dried up as both sides struggled to counteract the opposition's pressure.

Play concentrated between the two half back lines as neither side was able to make an impact in front of goals.

An uncharacteristic mistake by Glengarry's Anthony McMahon on the wing saw the Magpie concede the ball, Cowwarr's Stasinowsky making no mistake as he ran into an open goal.

The pressure continued to intensify, a 50 metre penalty gifting Smith his first and the Magpies second before Ferguson provided the Saints with some breathing space ahead of the main change.

The Magpies continued to press in the dying minutes of the opening half, Robbie Cahill bursting from the middle of the ground his direct loaded kick hitting the chest of Robertson who reeled the margin back to three points ahead of the siren.

Glengarry hit their straps in the premiership term, missing consecutive shots on goal early before White broke through to hand the Magpies the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the match.

The Saints rebounded with pace from defence as they had done all day, Stasinowsky taking a strong grab to goal from the goal square. It was followed by another to the Magpies, as the scoreboard ticked over three majors in as many minutes in what had up until that point been a low scoring affair.

Smith registered his second with a stellar kick tight on the boundary, followed by another to Robertson as the margin quickly drew out to 16 points.

Stasinoswky made his impact felt in the forward line his fourth reeling the margin back ahead of the final change.

The Saints had their opportunities in the final term, and not dissimilar to the opening term left the door adjar with a number of missed opportunities in front of goal proving costly in the dying stages of the match.

Glengarry's Jack Robertson was quick to extend the Magpies lead out to 13 points in the opening minute of the fourth before Saints forward Stasinowsky responded.

Team mate Robbie Ferguson looked to make it consecutive majors following a free kick in front of goal, his kick missing to the near side.

The Saints intensity couldn't be questioned the sides forward six continued to besiege the Magpies back line, as they pressed hard to snare a much needed major.

The clock counting down on the Saints challenge, Glengarry holding on in a thriller in front of a record gate which paid over $9,300, 8.13 (61) to 7.15 (57).

Glengarry's Smith provided run throughout the contest, rising to the challenge in the third term. The Magpies defence held strong when under siege Lachlan Little holding McBride to 1.7 (13) for the match while Dean Pearce also performed well in defence.

Saints Captain Luke Cooper left nothing in the locker room, Scott Anderson and Shane Morgan had the Magpies forwards in handcuffs in a top stop job. Lee Cooper came in and out of the game taking on various roles in a dominating performance and Pat Tainsh was busy, but the Saints couldn't get a roll on in front of goals in the dying stages of the match.

ELIMINATION FINAL: Cougars great escape
It can be marked down in the history books as the great escape. With the ledger at one a piece, the Blues claiming the honours in the side's second clash of the season, it was Churchill that burst out of the blocks before Rosedale hit their straps midway through the opening term to break away to a handy 20 point lead in the sides knock out final.

Trailing by 19 points at half time, a margin they drew back to eight points at the final change of ends, Churchill have booked themselves a Semi Final berth following the sides come from behind three point victory.

Described as the great escape, the match had everything from hard hits, to a half time dust up and then a scripted hero for both sides with full forward Brendan Holt handing the Cougars the lead before Blues coach Brad Caldwell reeled the margin back with his snap at goal to keep last year's Grand Finalists dreams alive.

However it was all the Blues early, Rosedale slammed on three unanswered goals ahead of the quarter time siren, and despite their opponents quick run forward the Cougars were unable to execute the start they wanted on the scoreboard early, before the Cougars reeled the margin back in a tight opening ten minutes.

The Blues then found their groove led by Ross McDermott and Andrew Flanagan in front of goals, Rosedale piled on three unanswered majors as they looked poise to break the game open.

Rosedale's tall timber forward line of Brad Caldwell and Andrew Flanagan posed plenty of problems for the smaller Cougar defence of Nathan Richer, Corey Thomson and Chris Williams.

Pitted against the inform engine room of Chris King, Justin Emery and ruckman John Cantwell Churchill's fleet footed brigade lead by Brandon Mahoney, Joey Whykes and Nic Campbell found themselves working hard for each touch as the Blues executed classy movement across the ground with pinpoint accuracy.

Rosedale looked to build on their 16 point quarter time lead, but it was consecutive majors to the Cougars midway through the term that reeled the margin back to seven points as the Cougars upped the tempo in the midfield.

A gasp fell over the crowd, as Rosedale's Dale Fleming felt the effects of Joey Whykes hard hip and shoulder, the Blue hitting the turf hard before regaining composure to run out the game.

At the other end of the ground Rosedale's Flanagan's check side kick at goal created breathing space approaching half time, 4.9 (33) to 8.4 (52).

Tempers boiled over as the half time siren sounded, Blues coach Caldwell rallying his troops together for some stern words before heading to the rooms.

"Nothing silly boys, where up, don't get sucked in we have nothing to lose now let's keep out cool.

"Continue to play tough footy, they think they're out of it so let's keep our cool and run on with it," said Caldwell.

Churchill came out a side resolved after the long change, the side moving straight from the middle courteous of Campbell and Travis Brighton with Holt getting on the other end to seal one of his five majors.

Each time Churchill looked to challenge Rosedale had the answers as they did all day, the Blues reeling back the major before Tim Darby slotted through his first. The Blues taking an eight point lead into the final change of ends.

Caldwell pleaded with his side "Don't roll over we want to play next week".

Play concentrated in the Cougars forward line as they peppered away at the goals, Whykes roved the pack his shot from 10 metres out missing to the near side.

A strong grab by Brighton in the air, sent youngster Christopher Williams on the run forward a strong composed kick by Williams hitting the chest of Holt - the experienced forwards shot on goal from 45 metres out levelling the score.

Holt lined up in as many minute the distance too great as ruckman Andrew Brown, Whykes and Darby waited in the goal square, a handy point handing Churchill the lead.

Rosedale's backline struggled to clear defence, Churchill's Darby pouncing on the loose ball to swing round on his right foot to settle and register a major.
Caldwell's snap scored true from the centre bounce with the Blues back to within three points in the dying minute of the match.

Churchill locking up the ball to come from behind and snatch victory from the Blues grasp.

Brighton was instrumental in a dominating performance lifting when his side needed, James Larkin found plenty of the ball while Chris Burke was a solid option around the ground.

Blues Joe Caldwell was the lynch pin to the Blues backline, holding Darby and Holt at bay, with Leigh Freshwater and Emery notable performers.

WEEK TWO FINALS:
SECOND SEMI FINAL - Sale City V Glengarry, Saturday 3rd September, Woodside
FIRST SEMI FINAL - Cowwarr V Churchill, Sunday 4th September, Sale City

By Luaren Carey