A seven goal to nil final term ensured HEYFIELD the four points against Sale City who took it up to the ladder leaders for three quarters of the contest.
Heyfield kick started proceedings opening their account in the early stages of the contest and quickly skipped away to a 17 point lead following a five goal to two term. Nic Dinsdale and Jesse Bedggood opening their accounts in the first 25 minutes of play, with City's goals scored through Byron Shingles and Nick Grainger.
Turning the tables on the visitors, Sale City ran rampant with one extra man on the ground following the yellow carding of Shaun Humphreys the Dogs slowly ate away at the Kangaroos 16 point margin.
Finding plenty of the ball coach Joel Brayshaw lead from the front as his young squad of pups rose to the occasion against last year's premiers. Mitch Bennett amassed possessions feeding the ball into the forward line with precision, pocket rocket Byron Shingles imposed himself in the contest while Marty McDonough consistently swept across half back picking up the errant entry into the forward 50 by Heyfield.
Slowly but surely the goals came and the margin was quickly eaten away. Each time Heyfield responded on the scoreboard through Brett Szabo who booted two for the term the Dogs didn't falter moving forward to respond and lead by two points at the half time siren.
City booted the first of the premiership term before back to back goals to Heyfield, Bedggood looked to make it three in a row with his long bomb at goal spraying across the face of goal. Bedggood made amends working hard to combine with Joel Dinsdale who switched play to the other side of the forward 50 resulting in Kodie Woodland goaling.
Jesse Leeds, Woodland and Bedggood worked from one end of the ground to the other, however Bedggood's kick into the leading Szabo was spoiled by McDonough. McDonough's piece of play resulting in Grainger scoring at the other end of the ground, before Heyfield was gifted another to their tally following an undisciplined 50 metre penalty.
A low direct kick from the top of the 50 metre arc by Abe Schuback hit the leading Grainger in the pocket, to reel the margin back to four points. Grainger made it two on the run to hand his side the lead ahead of the three quarter siren.
Heyfield was relentlessness in the final term, hungry, passionate and wanting the win, the visitors hit their straps early in a frenetic paced start to the quarter. The Dogs defence worked diligently to contain the midfields dominance and delivery into the forward line which resulted in the Kangaroos scoring seven unanswered majors to seal the win by 51 points.
ROSEDALE was forced to work hard for the four points against a persistent Gormandale line-up who gave little away.
Highly fancied to take the points the Blues were pushed in a tough physical contest, which saw the home side tested as the Tigers made the most of their chances and backed themselves in the contest.
Gormandale led the contest in the opening term skipping out to a seven point margin at the first change, the Blues fought back in the second term booting the last five goals to turn a quarter time deficit into a four goal lead at the long change.
The going didn't get any easier after the main break, with Gormandale outscoring the second placed Blues in the premiership term to remain in the hunt. Drawing to within a kick in the final term, the Tigers appeared poised to cause one of the upsets of the season. In an arm wrestle the Blues got the better of the visitors late in the fourth to come home with a flutter to win, 15.8 (98) to 12.5 (77).
Blues Jeremy Reid and Andrew Flanagan booted three a piece, with Hayden Mowat claiming best on ground honours.
A 12 goal to four opening half by CHURCHILL laid the foundations for the Cougars, 23.11 (149) to 13.9 (87) win over Woodside.
Left flat footed Woodside could do little but watch in awe as the Cougars rebounded from the disappointment of the past month and hit the scoreboard hard and fast to put the result well beyond question in the opening 50 minutes of play.
With their finals chances hinging on the result of the Saturdays clash and the next two weeks, the Cougars didn't miss a beat as they took it up to their spirited opponents. Apart from an even final term which saw the two sides go goal for goal in a high scoring 12 goal term, Woodside could do little to eat into the first half margin.
Leading from the front coach Tim Darby created headaches for opposition defenders creating opportunities in front of goal to finish the contest with a bag of six. Nic Celima made the most when pushing forward finishing with five goals.
Captain Chris Williams was impressive in the engine room, Darby impressed with ruckman Andrew Brown also among the best.
For the Wildcats Rob Michaelides was judged best on ground finishing the match with five majors.
Aiming to secure a top three finish at season's end TTU made a statement of intent becoming the first side in over six weeks to defeat the high flying Glengarry Magpies.
In a low scoring first term little separated the sides with TTU leading the home side by five points. After a tight start to the match, the Bombers opened up a 20 point lead at half time with a four goal second quarter with Michael Hall and Brian Graham in blistering touch in front of goals.
The Magpies kept within arm's reach in the third term, but could do little to eat into the Bombers margin which they continued to build on in the second half.
TTU's Justin Palmer was a standout with Scott Zuehlke and Luke Middleton also influential throughout the match.
For the Magpies Robbie Cahill had one of his best matches this season, Aaron Winkler was also impressive, while Mark Engley was well held finishing the contest with three majors.
An 81 point drubbing of Boisdale/Briagolong catapulted COWWARR back into finals contention as they moved into fourth position on the premiership ladder standings.
With scores drawn even at the first change the Bombers showed they aren't easy beats, with the red and black brigade continuing to test the Saints in the second term, the home side going into the half time break down by eight points.
It was a renewed Saints line-up that returned to the field in the second half. With their end of season ambitions on the line the experienced campaigners stood tall as the visitors slammed home 16 goals to four in a one-sided second half.
Shane Morgan was the go to man in front of goal in the absence of Tim Johnson, Morgan booting a bag of 10. Jordon Royal collected the votes for his best on ground performance; Morgan was influential in turning the game while defender Kevin Hood was the general of the back six.
Boisdale/Briagolong's Danny Pratt booted five majors while Owen Sim was a standout.
By Lauren Carey
