Fielding six under age players in their side to take on ROSEDALE, many didn't give the baby Bombers much hope as they took to the field for the opening bounce.

Despite their inexperience, the fleet footed inclusions took the contest up to the Blues who came into the contest on the back of three straight losses.

Starting strongly, Rosedale scored from the opening bounce and looked up and about. Winning the centre clearance they again drilled forward scoring their second in as many minutes as the Bombers defence led by Leigh Fulford felt the effects of Andrew Flanagan and co early.

Peppering away at the sticks, the game could have been all over in the first 15 minutes of play however inaccuracy ensured the Bombers kept with the fifth placed Blues.
Nicol Sandison registered the Bombers first from their first run forward and it was quickly followed by a major to John Gooch.

The Bombers desperation was evident a great chase down and tackle by Josh Kennedy on Barney Mitchell, resulted in the home side pushing the ball forward. Boisdale/Briagolong added their third to trail by a point ahead of quarter time.

Rosedale didn't waste any time for Flanagan to open the scoring as they reeled the margin out to three kicks.
The Bombers reeled one back only to have Rosedale extend the lead minutes later with their sixth, the lead quickly blowing out to 32 points in a five minute purple patch.
Down and out at half time, it was a different Bomber outfit that blew the game open in a stellar 10 minutes of play.

Four straight to Boisdale/Briagolong caught Rosedale flat footed and napping, as they got to within nine points before the Blues clicked back into over drive. Flanagan and Scott Johnstone registered majors, as Chris King, Luke Stuckey and Jake Power began to dominate the one on one contests in the midfield and provide the Blues with first use of the ball. Rosedale slammed home seven unanswered majors from the midway mark of the third term to the final siren to take the win.

Bomber Macklin Raine held his own in the ruck contests, the 16 year old pitted against the experienced Jon Cantwell who was named amongst the Blues best players. Team mates Pat Gordon and Adam Helmke showed solid form and used their bodies to make a contest, with several of the Bombers debutants impressing.

A barnstorming WOODSIDE booted five goals to nil in the first quarter to shake any talk about their end of season ambitions following last Saturdays surprise defeat.

Led by Justin Staley, Damien Kerr, Adrian Fazioli and Rob Michaelides the side boasted plenty of ammunition in front of goal to burst out of the blocks as they used the strong breeze that favoured their end to their advantage flattening any challenge from Glengarry.

Winning the toss and making the most of their chances, in what could be best described as somewhat of an elimination final, the Wildcats led by 28 points at the first change, before the Magpies registered their first major on the board in the second and reeled the margin back to 16 at half time.

The sides exchanged blows for blows on the scoreboard in the defining third term, a total of 10 majors scored as Glengarry's Josh King made his mark on the scoreboard and stretched the limits of the home sides defence.

Trailing by nine points at the final change, the contest was anyone's, but with Glengarry kicking with the wind the third placed Magpies appeared to have the goods.

The Magpies hit the front by five points with minutes remaining on the clock, and appeared on song to snatch the win before a late goal in the dying stages of the contest saw the Wildcats prevail by a mere point, 15.6 (96) to 14.11 (95).

HEYFIELD seniors captain Dave Kelly finished his gruelling 100km run to raise much needed funds for his one-year-old daughter, Ivy in time to watch his side seal a 48 point victory over Gormandale.

Booting 11 majors in the opening half, the Kangaroos struggled to score after half time registering just one goal in the final term to be outscored by the Tigers three goals to one.

After a dominating opening half, the minor premiers struggled to find their targets in front of goal and at the other end of the ground it was the same tale with only eight behinds scored between the sides.

Failing to kick a goal since the first term, the Tigers came out hungry in the final term as they looked to regain some respectability on the scoreboard slotting home three goals to one. However, the Kangaroos dominance in the opening half served them well as they coasted home to their 14th win of the season.

Moving into the top five last week, CHURCHILL were forced to work hard for the points and ensure their finals ambitions stayed alive with Sale City taking the contest up to their more fancied opponents.

Call it redemption, call it a spirited effort, whatever it may have been the much improved young pups rose to the occasion against a side that handed the Dogs a 131 point thumping in their earlier encounter. But on Saturday, the home side was not content in seeing a similar score line with the underdogs coming out strong booting five goals to four in a blistering opening term.

Holding strong the Dogs were not phased as the Cougars came at them on the score board to draw to within seven points at the main change. Led by Corey Oliver and Luke Hedger the Dogs kept with Churchill in the crucial third term, to maintain the lead, albeit three points at the final change.
With their end of season fate in their hands the Cougars through goals from Ben Kearns and Dean DeGroot added seven goals to two in the final term to run home, five goal victors.

For the second time this season, COWWARR claimed the bragging rights over second placed TTU winning 13.9 (87) to 10.19 (79).

Struggling to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, the Bombers will be rueing the one that got away as they now find themselves locked on 40 points with four other sides.

The match was evenly placed at the first change both sides desperation at the ball evident with the Saints taking a 13 point lead at the break. The Bombers regrouped after what could be described as a sluggish start as they worked hard to match the home side before the main change.

Booting 4.8 (32) in the third term, the Bombers took the lead however costly errors in front of goals prevented the side from imposing much needed scoreboard pressure.

Regaining composure at the final change, the Saints came out hard regaining the lead to ensure that they remain in contention for a finals berth.

Tim Johnston finished the match with three majors to take his season tally to 61, 12 ahead of the competitions next highest goal scorer Justin Staley. Ben Plozza chipped in with three, with Shane Galea and Luke McLean scoring two apiece.

For the Bombers best on ground Brian Graham was a valuable addition back into the side booting four majors, while Wade McNeil worked hard to set up opportunities for his side and Luke Middleton was tireless in his efforts to provide his side with first use of the ball.

By Lauren Carey