WOODSIDE enhanced their status as the competitions big improvers with a crushing 30 point triumph against league heavy weight Churchill.

It was billed as the match of the round, the eagerly anticipated clash between the undefeated top of the table sides, with all the hype and hope surrounding the match living up to all expectations in the opening half.

Five points favoured the Cougars at the first change of ends in a high scoring opening quarter of play, before the visitors used the conditions to their favour in the second to skip away to a 20 point lead following a seven goal to three term.

Coach Tim Darby, Travis Brighton and Hamish Towns made an impact in front of goal during the second quarter as Churchill looked to open the game wide open ahead of half time.

In a game of two halves it was the Wildcats who blitzed their opponents in the premiership term, outscoring Churchill six goals to three to reel the half time margin back to a mere point at the last change.

The Wildcats relentlessness didn't lapse in the final term, hungry, passionate and wanting the win, Woodside through key forward Justin Staley hit their straps early in a frenetic paced start to the quarter. Tested the Churchill defence worked diligently to contain Staley, as the midfield dominance and delivery into the forward line put the home side in the box seat.

Seven goals to two in the final term laid the foundations for the Wildcats victory, 21.14 (140) to 17.8 (110).

The victory sends an ominous warning to the remainder of the League. Struggling to win a match last season, in just four rounds Woodside have been impressive. Conceding ahead of the side's big test against Churchill there was still plenty of room for improvement, and "we also know where we are at" coach Chris Pettitt would have to be pleased with his side's efforts.

Staley added 11 to his season tally of 24 goals against a formidable backline, Hank Norman chipped in with two majors in a dominating performance while Matt Scholz also held his own in a strong individual effort.

Hitting the front 10 minutes into the final term, Gormandale after finding plenty of the ball appeared poised to register their opening win of the season, however the class of ROSEDALE rose to the front and saw the Blues get out of jail to record their third win of the season 9.14 (68) to 9.8 (62)

Speaking after the game Tiger coach Luke Henderson said that his side can take plenty from the contest although falling shy of the line.
"We find ourselves there abouts, we have seen in the opening month that we have the ability to beat everyone at the competition but we also know that we are at a level that we can also loose to anyone.

"We know that we have to play at our absolute best, we have pulled together patches and glimpses of this.

"We had plenty of the ball in the last quarter against Rosedale, we hit the front 10 minutes into the final term however they replied with a goal straight from the centre to regain the lead," said Henderson.

While "disappointed to be 0-4", Henderson knows given the evenness of the competition his side isn't down and out just yet.

"Next Sunday the Mothers Day clash against Glengarry we believe is a game that we can win, and should win.
"We need to stay with the middle of the pack sides, so Sunday our season is on the line," he said.

TTU were forced to work hard for the four points against a persistent Glengarry line-up who gave little away.
Highly fancied to take the points the Bombers were pushed in a tough physical contest at Tyers, which saw the home side tested as the Magpies made the most of their chances and backed themselves in the contest.

Glengarry led the contest in the opening term skipping out to a 10 point margin at the first change, the Bombers fought back in the second term Brian Graham finding the sticks as the Bombers turned a quarter time deficit into a one goal lead at the long change.

The going didn't get any easier after the main break, with Glengarry hitting the front to lead by two points at three quarter time. Defender Lachlan Little having a major impact on proceedings with Trevor May and Robbie Cahill popping up to score majors.

Playing an inconsistent brand of footy, in an arm wrestle the Bombers got the better of the visitors early in the fourth racing out to a handy 19 point lead one they extended to 25 before Glengarry came home with a flutter.
Two majors in the last 30 seconds of play, with one on the siren flexing the Magpies muscle. Graham was among the majors in the final term with TTU booting six goals to four to snatch the win by 13 points.

An 11 goal to nil opening term by COWWARR laid the foundations for the Saints opening win of the season, 18.18 (126) to 6.12 (48).

Left flat footed Boisdale/Briagolong could do little but watch in awe as the Saints rebounded from the disappointment of the opening month and hit the scoreboard hard and fast to put the result well beyond question in the opening 25 minutes of play.

However the Saints took the foot off the pedal as the Bombers asserted themselves in the contest, outscoring the home side in the second term. But they could do little to eat into the first quarter margin, while less impressive Cowwarr added a further seven majors for the contest to record a 78 point victory marking Lee Coopers 250 senior game milestone in style.

As in past weeks Tim Johnston created headaches for opposition defenders with his classy silky skills creating opportunities in front of goal with the Saint forward finishing the contest with a bag of eight. Ben Plozza made the most when pushing forward finishing with four goals.
Milestone man Cooper was impressive in the engine room, new recruit Jordon Sandy again impressed with Brendan Patrick-Smith also among the best.

For the Bombers Adam Helmke was judged best on ground.
HEYFIELD made an early statement of intent with an emphatic 50 point victory over last year's preliminary final rival Sale City.

The reigning premiers have got their season off to a flying start winning three from four, Saturdays strong second term ensuring victory before the Kangaroos closed out the 12.13 (85) to 20.15 (135) win.

After a tight start to the match, the Magpies opened up a 28 point lead at half time with a five goal second quarter with Lyell Berry and Jesse Bedggood in blistering touch in front of goals.

The visitors kept within arm's reach in the third term, but could do little to eat into the Kangaroos margin which they continued to build on in the second half.

Heyfield defender Scott Anderson was a standout with Jesse Leeds and Nic Dowse also influential throughout the match.
For the visitors Matt Lutze had one of his best matches this season, Byron Shingle was also impressive, while Mitch Evans and Nick Grainger booted four goals each.

By Lauren Carey