Going into the contest locked on 10 wins apiece, only percentage points separated second placed TTU from sixth place Woodside as the sides battled it out for a prized finals berth.
And as the sides started out ahead of the clash, there would be little that would again separate them at the final siren. In fact it would be three points, with the final kick of the day seeing the Bombers snatch the Wildcats finals berth from their grasp.
Trailing for the majority of the contest, the Bombers mounted one of the greatest escapes that will see them make their first finals appearance in nine seasons winning, 13.12 (90) to 13.9 (87). For the Wildcats it can be best described as a tail of heartbreak.
Winning their last three on the run the visitors were found flat footed in the opening minutes of play. TTU's Tyler Mustoe the first to drill the ball forward his shot at goal missing. Brian Graham had no trouble scoring from the pocket as the Bombers hit the scoreboard.
Both sides worked hard to lock down play, the ball swaying back and forth between the two half back lines before Woodside opened the scoring with their first movement forward for the contest.
Rob Michaelides made it two in a row for the Wildcats as his shot at goal was aided by the wind as it swung back to spilt the sticks. Team mate Adrian Fazoli added another, the visitors adding five unanswered majors to hold a commanding 20 point lead at the main change.
The Wildcats continued were they left off after the first change, Damien Kerr registering the sides sixth major as the engine room of Matt Scholz, Kerr and Fazoli began to dominate their opponents.
Bombers coach Matt Stolarczyk provided the spark his side needed, reeling the margin back by one before Wade McNeill added another as the Bombers began to press the visitors.
Graham added his second of his four majors, a nice shot on goal on the run lifting his side as they closed into under 10 points at half time.
The battle continued to intensify in the third term, hard physical clashes featured as neither side was prepared to leave anything on the ground. The Wildcats won the battle in the premiership term, outscoring the Bombers by one major to lead by three straight kicks.
With season ambitions on the line, it was the Bombers who fought hard to ensure that their chances remained alive. With their club leaders standing tall,TTU took command in the final 20 minutes of play, coach Stolarczyk and Graham took the game on. Gun midfielder Pat Sharp dominated possessions as he held the opposition, Luke Middleton was working hard around the ground and was crucial in the pack contests and Callum Laurie-Rhodes played a crucial role in the backline.
Booting four goals to one the Bombers reeled in the margin, overrunning the Wildcats in the dying stages of seasons end.
Despite claiming the points in their contest against Gormandale, it was heartbreak for COWWARR who after an indifferent month of results fell two points shy of finishing in the top five.
Needing not only to win, the Saints chances of a finals berth hinged on the results of other clashes including that of Churchill versus Heyfield with the final scores not going their way.
Starting strongly the Saints dominated the first quarter as they held the Tigers scoreless. Led by Ben Plozza and Tim Johnston in the forward line the pair registered goals early, as the Saints put on a training drill as the Tigers struggled to withhold the onslaught.
The second term was an entirely different scenario as the Saints all but halted, scoring just the one goal as the Tigers found their groove to outscore the visitors three goals to one.
Inspired by the half time addressing form coach Luke Cooper, the Saints were again on the march with a solid third term performance putting the result beyond Gormandale's reach.
The Saints going on to win, 18.11 (119) to8.9 (57) with experienced servants Shane Morgan, Brett Street and Cory Bannister named among the Saints best.
Eight goals from GLENGARRY's Josh King was one of the highlights of the Magpies clinical crushing of Boisdale/Briagolong.
It was a battle weary contest for the Bombers who scored just one major in three terms of football before matching the Magpies in the final quarter to exchange goal for goal on the scoreboard.
A contest of David and Goliath proportions, the baby Bombers were no match for the Magpies who were desperate to maintain their hold on a top three finish and a place in next Saturdays qualifying final.
Hitting the ground running the home side booted five goals in the opening term, with a further seven scored ahead of half time to extend their lead to 70 points at the long change. It didn't get any better for the visitors in the premiership term, with King on song in front of goals, Chris Wangman and Lochie Little dominating play, the home side registered a further six majors as they run into finals on the back of some solid form.
For the visitors John Gooch was judged best a field, and finished the match with two majors.
A five goal to nil third term by CHURCHILL was the impetus for the fourth placed Cougars, 13.20 (98) to (9.18 (72) victory over minor premiers Heyfield.
With finals in their sight, Saturdays match against long time foe and flag favourites Heyfield was a must win for the Cougars who chipped away at the scoreboard early to remain in contention with the visitors.
The Kangaroos struggled to shake the visitors early in a tight physical opening term, as they at times appeared they would kick themselves out of the contest as they struggled to find the posts.
A strong third quarter showing set the tone for the remainder of the contest. Churchill didn't look back booting 5.7 (37) to nil to boast a three goal lead at the final change, a lead that they would further extend in the final term to register a 26 point win and secure their position in the top five.
Mick Higgins led from the front and was well supported by Brad Knowles the pair instrumental in and around the contests; Andrew Brown provided Churchill with first use of the ball in winning the battle in the ruck while captain Chris Williams was a workhorse in the engine room.
For the Kangaroos defender Scott Anderson was stretched however demonstrated why he is one of the best defenders in the competition, while Chris Egan collected the three votes for the visitors.
ROSEDALE made light work of Sale City, the Blues boasting a 10 goal lead at half time one which they extended to 65 points by the final siren.
Bursting out of the blocks the Blues posted three unanswered majors in the first term, before adding a further six after quarter time to have the Dogs defenders on their knees at half time.
Three goals to Jack Wyhoon, Chris Graham, Brad Caldwell and Andrew Flanagan set the Blues alight as the Dogs forwards could only watch at the opposite end of the ground as they failed to register a major in the opening half of play.
Easing their foot slightly off the throttle, the Blues were closely matched in the second half with Joel Brayshaw and Mitch Bennett booting two a piece to ensure a more respectable score line at the final siren.
By Lauren Carey
