Ensuring their finals ambitions remain intact, seventh place WOODSIDE caused one of the upsets of the season to come from behind in a spirited final quarter to overwhelm the Blues.
Trailing at each change of ends in a match that ebbed and flowed in a pressure-packed contest, the Wildcats carried their momentum from the premiership term into the dying stages of the game to somehow over run Rosedale by four points.
It is the second time this season that the Wildcats have found themselves out of the contest against the Blues and yet somehow rallied in the final term to register victory. Led by Justin Staley (five) and Rob Michaelides (four) in front of goals the home side booted five goals to one to steam roll the Blues handing the fourth placed Rosedale side their second defeat in as many weeks.
Leading by 20 points at the start of the final term the Blues were favoured to return to the winners list but were left wanting as the Wildcats led by Michaelides, Hank Norman, coach Chris Pettitt and Josh Griffin led the last quarter comeback.
The victory sees the Wildcats draw level on 32 points with sixth place Churchill, just two points outside the five.
Leading by 15 points at the final change, the Bombers will be rueing the one that got away with Boisdale/Briagolong left to ponder what if as GORMANDALE ran all over the top of them in a one sided final term.
In an even contest the Bombers led at every change bar the one that mattered as they dropped their intensity and ran out of legs as the Tigers experienced campaigners rose to the occasion.
Playing an impressive brand of football, the Bombers booted five goals in the opening term to establish a two goal lead. From there the Bombers backed themselves in the contest to extend the margin at the main change.
The premiership term was an even affair as the sides traded blows on the scoreboard, eight majors booted for the term as the Tigers kept within two kicks at the final change.
Found flat footed the Tigers pounced early on the Bombers to reel the margin back to within a kick, before levelling scores. Luke Francis, Brendan Solomon and Wayne Henry were all influential in the forward line for the Tigers as the Bombers backline came under siege as they worked tirelessly to halt the barrage on the score line.
Despite fighting courageously the Bombers inability to register a major in the final term proved costly.
TTU laid the foundation for its 16.7 (103) to 7.12 (54) win over Sale City with a nine goal to one opening half.
Aiming to confirm their hold on a top three finish, the visitors exploded out of the blocks starting the contest strongly booting five majors to one ahead of quarter time. The Bombers relentlessness didn't halter, TTU adding a further four goals in a stellar second quarter which saw the home side fail to convert.
Leading by eight goals at half time the Bombers appeared poised to run away with the contest, however the Dogs rallied with a more commanding second half which saw the two sides go goal for goal. Sale City converting six goals to the visitors seven, as they made the Bombers work hard for the points in a more competitive half of football.
TTU coach Matt Stolarczyk led from the front backed up by Pat Sharp and Justin Palmer. In front of goals Tyler Mustoe and Brian Graham booted three a piece.
Such is the evenness of the competition GLENGARRY advanced three positions on the premiership ladder standings after claiming the points in comprehensive fashion over fellow final aspirants Churchill.
Leap frogging their opposition the Magpies now find themselves perched in third position following the home sides 56 point thumping of Churchill.
Leading at every change the Magpies were at their damaging best, with the sides 13 goal to five second half one of the best halves of football this season.
Magpie Mark Engley finished the contest with nine majors, with partner in crime forward Josh King creating headaches of his own for the Cougars backline with King adding seven to his season tally. Dean Pearce was instrumental leading from the front, Chris Wangman also impressed while Robbie Cahill was a solid performer in the midfield.
Dean DeGroot created plenty of opportunities around the ground for the Cougars and was ably assisted by Billy Wight. Team mate Brendan Holt was the pick of the goal scorers finishing with four.
A barnstorming 11 goal final quarter blew the final margin wide open in the contest between HEYFIELD and close rival and neighbouring club Cowwarr, 20.16 (136) to 11.8 (74).
Little separated the top five sides early in the contest, trailing by three goals at quarter time the Saints reeled the margin back to single figures at the midway mark of the contest. Aiming to confirm their hold on a finals berth Cowwarr kept with the competitions number one ranked side to trail by 12 points at the final change of end.
But that would be as close as they would come to the reigning champs for the remainder of the contest as Jesse Bedggood and Brett Szabo made the forward line their own as they directed traffic enabling the fleet footed midfield brigade to draw forward and goal while also adding a combined eight goals to the score line.
Bedggood was judged best a field for the Kangaroos with Jesse Leeds and former Saint Scott Anderson solid contributors.
Held relatively quiet Tim Johnston had minimal impact in front of goals with the Saints forced to find other avenues to goal. Rick Battista the pick of the goal scorers with three, while Johnston added two to his season tally of 56.
For the visitors Kieran McConnell led from the front in a best on ground performance.
By Lauren Carey
