Reigning premiers Churchill were bundled out of the top five following the sides 51 point thumping by TTU.
The crucial victory by the Bombers in the highly anticipated match has not only firmed TTU’s credentials, but also laid claim to a stake on a return to finals football. For the Cougars, it has left last year’s number one ranked side high and dry ahead of the final month of the home and away fixture.
Churchill had their chances early pushing forward with little success, strong winds and heavy conditions underfoot making the going tough.
With play bouncing back and forward between the 50 metre arcs, Churchill ruckman Andrew Brown combined with Brandon Mahoney. Mahoney’s measured kick to Travis Brighton saw the midfielder thread the ball to danger forward Nick Campbell, his shot at goal missing.
Amassing touches early, Bomber Brian Graham was proving a handful galloping clear of his opponent as he toiled hard to create an opportunity in front of goal. It didn’t take long for the Bombers to work the ball up to centre half forward, Stephen Hawkins throwing the ball on the boot to swing around registering the first major to break a string of behinds to both sides.
The deadlock on the scoreboard continued with play concentrating back and forward, both sides defensive pressure paramount with strong tackling and ferocious attack on the ball common place.
Churchill’s Leigh McDonald’s clean and crisp skills set up the Cougars first. Tim Darby combining with McDonald to set up the visitors first and only major for the term, the visitors trailing by 11 points at the change.
Electric ball movement saw Churchill open the scoring in the second term, the major scored in under 16 seconds as Chris Williams and McDonald made their impact felt at the centre bounce.
Churchill’s defence led by best on ground Jarrod Broadbent and Brayden Kokshoorn were in over driver as they continually cut off the loose delivery into the Bombers forward line with Dale Paterson patrolling the last line of defence.
TTU’s Ricky Cochrane was busy pushing forward the fleet footed runner looked to set up Tyler Mustoe who lost his footing in the heavy conditions. The Bombers peppered away on the scoreboard Chase Saunders marked strongly in front of Jordon Fenech his shot on goal from the pocket landing to the far side of the goal square.
Dominating play in their forward end of the ground, the Bombers were unable to capitalise as the Cougars measured the ball forward through McDonald to Darby. Darby slotting through his first which handed the visitors the lead at the 11 minute mark of the term.
Grahams major saw the lead again change leads, before Rhys Martin added another to hand the Bombers a two goal buffer.
Darby made it two for the term, before Bombers coach Jay Neagle got the quick reply a snap at goal extending the margin to 15 points ahead of half time. With the clock counting down on the opening half Hawkins added another after Graham flew high in the pack to bring the ball to ground. Hawkins hunting the loose ball to give the home side a handy break at the long change.
Needing a solid premiership term the Cougars started well, Brad Knowles hitting the scoreboard early in the second half as the visitors wrestled back the momentum and positioned themselves for an attack on the game. The challenge was quickly flattened when Martin took the game on a run and bounce through the middle of the ground saw the small midfielder barrel the ball into Hawkins who added to his tally of six.
Hawkins was on the end of yet another major, as Churchill coach Allan Chandler moved Patterson forward as he looked to create headaches for the Bombers defence.
The Bombers lead was extended to five major as the game quickly drew away from last year’s premiers. But as the chips appeared down and the gate drawing shut on the contest Churchill again sprung to life. Forward Brendan Holt instigating the charge on the scoreboard.
Rebounding from defence James Allan thumped the ball into Holt. The forward marking to score from 35 metres. As quickly as Churchill got one back on the scoreboard TTU came again. Paterson’s major was the quick response the Cougars needed with the margin back to 27 points.
A crucial mark by Holt approaching three quarter time resulted in Churchill’s fifth major for the term, before Chris Weller pounced on the loose ball to make it three straight for the visitors and importantly an attainable 14 point ball game.
Quick out of the blocks TTU registered the first major followed by another to livewire Hawkins as he clunked yet another mark to go back and score true. The flood gates quickly opening on a seven goal to one final stanza.
A match winning six goals from Hawkins was telling in the Bombers victory, Martins influence around the contest hunting the ball was key with captain Luke Middleton holding his own against the ruck combination of Brown and Dillon Leys.
ROSEDALE have wrestled back top spot on the ladder after the Blues barnstorming six goal to nil third term killed the contest against the Demons, 14.13 (97) to 8.8 (56).
They started close before the Blues tore away from their fancied opponents Yarram, turning a four point half time lead into a commanding 40 point margin at the final change.
With a top three finish on the line there was plenty at stake. In an arm wrestle of a contest, free flowing scoring was pushed aside as a hard physical opening term saw the sides exchange blow for blow. Rosedale coach Ben Macreadie, Dale Fleming and Rohan Diamond drove the attack on the contested footy pitted against the likes of Yarram’s Grif Underwood and Louis Rodaughan.
Yarram defenders Trek Davis and Chris Pettitt were among the sides’ best as they looked to contain the Blues sharp shooter forwards wearing them like a glove. With the goals coming through the likes of defender Scott Johnstone who pushed forward to snare two. Rosedale looked to the likes of Brandon Henness, Corey Beaver and Jake Mowat who finished with two apiece for options up forward. While for Yarram Corbin Sutherland and Justin Staley were held quiet booting two and one major respectively.
With their finals aspirations in their hands seasoned finalists HEYFIELD were defiant in a do or die contest against Sale City.
Down by nine points at the first change the Kangaroos old firm of defender Scott Anderson, Jesse Jackway, Adrian Cox and Jack Woodland worked hard making valuable contributions as they placed the visitors two points in front at half time.
Heyfield worked hard to dominate the contest after the main change, however inaccuracy kept the Dogs within 14 points at the final change. Heyfield’s charge on the scoreboard was led by James Beha, three, and multiples from Josh Stubbe and Jackway.
The Kangaroo’s defence were staunch against the likes of City’s key forwards, Jake Schuback held to two majors, with Brad Walsh and Mitch Bennett chipping in with two apiece.
Heyfield ensuring their unbroken sequence of finals football remains intact with the win elevating the side from sixth place to fourth.
A best on ground performance and four goals from COWWARR’s Brett Street saw the Saints continue their strong showing of the past fortnight.
It was far from one way traffic with spectators treated to an entertaining contest. Five points the margin in favour of the visitors at the first break, one they would extend to 15 ahead of half time.
In the contest, the Wildcats quickly felt the raft of the Saints multiple goal scorers Street leading a quartet of Ben Coffey, Linden Brunt, Todd Mann and Marcus Twomey who were the main contributors in the Saints 9.4 (58) to 1.2 (8) third term which buried the Wildcats hopes.
The tables were turned in the final stanza Woodside dishing the Saints up their own medicine, as they in turn held Cowwarr to one major and went about ensuring a respectable score line, 19.18 (132) to 13.12 (90)
Yesterday GORMANDALE chalked up its third win of the season with a comprehensive 14 goal victory over long-time rivals Glengarry.
A 10 goal to one opening half among the highlights for Luke Henderson’s Tigers who found the cold windy conditions to their liking, Jordon Sandy continuing his form in front of goals with four while Al Jenkin popped up in the forward arc to finish the match with two majors.
By Lauren Carey
