It wasn't the most clinical of performances by COWWARR however their effort and intensity when the game was in the balance in the third term proved enough to see the Saints secure their second win in as many weeks.

Perched in sixth and seventh position on the premiership ladder standings, the contest between Sale City and Cowwarr was expected to be a tight dogged affair as both sides looked to remain in contention with the competition front runners.

The Saints kicked off the contest where they left off in round four; a strong start in the opening ten minutes of the game saw the visitors register the first two majors.

City broke through steadying the play with Mitch Evans opening the home sides account.

Play concentrated back and forth between the two half back lines as neither side was able to break clear and have an impact on the scoreboard.

Cowwarr's Ben Plozza broke the trend registering his soul major, as the Saints small forwards began to make their mark on the contest with the visitors taking a commanding 20 point lead into the first change.

Intense pressure by the Saints stifled City's run the fleet footed Sale City youngsters and the combination of both meant the game was dictated on the Saints terms early on.

Some 20 minutes had lapsed before City registered their second, it was followed by their third major as Nick Grainger broke the shackles following strong play from the backline instigated by Jesse Broadbent who cautiously cleared the ball forward along the wing.

The home sides momentum gained before forward livewire Tim Johnston broke the trend snapping another for Cowwarr, as he single handedly flattened the Dogs bark.

He was at it again, trying to create opportunities up forward however wayward kicking at goal by Johnston and Shane Morgan kept the Dogs in reach. Robbie Ferguson slotted through the Saints seventh major on the run ahead of half time providing the Saints with a four goal buffer at the long change.

With the game in the balance, the Dogs exploded out of the blocks in the premiership term. Best on ground for the Dogs Tom Horan, slammed home the first of three straight majors in the opening minute of the second half. His goal was followed quickly from Codey Kennedy as the Dogs engine room of Brad McKay, coach Joel Brayshaw and Daniel Bird began to make an impact against Luke and Lee Cooper. Kennedys wobbly shot at goal reeling the margin back to 11 points.

Luke Hedger made it three on the run, with the Dogs bark coming to life as flashy forward Grainger began to run rings around the opposition back men.
The Saints looked to respond as Cowwarr defenders Kevin Hood and Cory Bannister cleared the ball from the back 50, Johnston's shot on goal missing.

It didn't take long for Cowwarr to settle and register their first of two quick replies midway through the third term to again regain the ascendency. City responded through Grainger right on the three quarter time siren to trail by 13 points at the final change.

The Dogs kept with the visitors challenging early in the final term, a miss to Evans was quickly followed by a major to Cowwarrs Ferguson before Johnston offered the final blow to the Dogs challenge. Johnstons seventh for the match blowing the margin back out to 23 points with the clock counting down on the challenge.

City were well served by captain Matt Lutze, Grainger was a standout in the third term lighting up the forward line and creating opportunities while Josh Barbetti was handy.

For the victors Pat Tainsh was closely guarded by Brayshaw early in the contest, the lively midfielder set up plenty of play for the Saints with Siaosi Lay-Blake another standout.

ROSEDALE had to unleash a withering third quarter burst of 10 goals to overrun a determined and hard-working Churchill, 23.14 (152) to 16.6 (102).

Trailing by 14 points at half time, Rosedale looked to impose their presence in the early stages of the premiership term however it was the Cougars that burst out of the blocks booting two quick majors to further extend the lead.

Rattling the visitors nerves a scuffle broke out, as the contest on the field intensified. It was Rosedale who held their nerve when play resumed the Blues booting eight straight majors.

Rosedale continued their relentless attack on the footy in the final term kicking a further five goals to two, to hand Churchill a 50 point defeat and their second loss in a row.

The home side boasted 12 individual goal scorers, Brad Caldwell the pick with six majors while Jake Mowat finished the contest with four.

For the Cougars Hamish Towns was judged best a field and was the leading goal kicker finishing with five, while Brendan Holt played a key role in the forward 50 chipping in with four goals.

An 11 goal to two final term saw reigning premiers HEYFIELD flex their muscle and take top spot on the premiership ladder standings from the previously undefeated Wildcats.

In recent seasons the contest between the Kangaroos and Wildcats could be likened to a David and Goliath battle, however on Saturday it was a chance for the competitions biggest improvers to be pitted against the reigning champions.

The first quarter was a close affair with Heyfield taking a nine point lead into the first change; the Kangaroos extended the margin out to 16 points ahead of half time a lead that they would maintain at the final change of ends.

Flattening any chance of the Wildcats challenging, Heyfield blew the game wide open in the final term booting 11 goals to two to record a 72 point victory, 23.13 (145) to 10.13 (73).

Heyfield's Mitch Dowse was the leading goal scorer on the ground booting six majors, Jesse Bedggood and Wayne Knight also provided headaches for the opposition defence booting four and three goals respectively.

For the visitors Mark Johnston was judged best a field with Jack Woodland and Nic Dinsdale dominate in the contests.

TTU proved too strong for their counterparts the Boisdale/Briagolong Bombers recording a comfortable 14 goal victory on the road.

Subdue in the first term TTU came out firing in the second quarter booting eight goals straight on their way to blowing the game wide open, with the result all but decided at the long change.

Boisdale/Briagolong matched the visitors in the third term with the two sides exchanging blow for blow on the scoreboard booting four goals apiece before TTU once again got the upper hand in the final term running over the top of their younger counterparts to secure their fourth win of the season.

Boasting 13 individual goal scorers including seven of which who kicked multiple majors TTU's many avenues in front of goal stifled their opposition. Hayden Hector was best a field for TTU and finished the contest with four majors, with Patrick Sharp and Guy Sinclair solid contributors.

On Sunday, GORMANDALE staged a half time comeback to open their season account with a two goal victory over long time foe Glengarry.

Trailing by two goals at half time, the Tigers reeled the margin back with a 31 point turn around seeing them lead the Magpies by 19 at the final change.

By Lauren Carey