GLENGARRY handed coach Ryan Potter his first finals victory in a blistering performance, in Saturdays North Gippsland Qualifying final.

Led by Ben Nicholson, Lochie Little and experienced campaigners Josh King and Dean Brooks in a defining second quarter, the Magpies made their mark slamming home four majors to one to establish a match winning 29 point lead at the main change.

Despite the Magpies inaccuracy in front of goal which saw the side finish the contest with a remarkable 35 shots on goal for a return of 11 majors the ever reliable King was the standout booting five majors while Robbie Cahill chipped in with two.

In their first finals appearance in over nine seasons TTU appeared poised to play rising to the challenge of the big stage, with the side registering the first score before the ball moved back and forward between the two have backlines as the scoring completely dried up.

It then quickly became one way traffic with the Magpies packing numbers around the stoppages, with their rovers reading the taps better than the Bombers and pumping the ball into a wide open forward line.

The match began with a touch of the fumbles, with both sides failing to make effective use of the footy before Glengarry drew on the experience of a number of their seasoned campaigners to compose and dominate passages of play.

Minutes remained in the term before Glengarry broke through to register their first major, TTU quickly followed suit scoring from the responding centre bounce to trail by five points at the first change.

The arm wrestle continued in the second term, TTU's Wade McNeill made a costly blunder bringing the ball back into play it resulted in King and Ross McDermott punishing the Bomber as McDermott slotted through the Magpies second.

It started what would be a precession of majors, King snapped another before TTU's Brad Munro reeled one back. But as quickly as TTU found the scoreboard and mounted a challenge, the Magpies responded quick hands by Potter found King who snapped a goal from 10 metres out.

Placing immense pressure around the contests, the Bombers struggled with the Magpies strangle hold led by Potter, Little, Cahill, Brooks and Robbie Dawson. As much as Brian Graham, Pat Sharp and Matt Stolarczyk worked hard to get into the contest it was Potter and his on ball brigade that was doing all the damage.

TTU's Scott Zuehkle worked hard to shut off the Magpies drive into the forward line, a number of intercepts across centre half forward sent the Bombers forward however the Magpies defence led by Chris Wangman and Ben Truin had their measure.

King added his third ahead of half time to establish a commanding 29 point lead in trying conditions.

Turning it up in the third term, Bombers coach Stolarczyk made a number of strategic moves as his side looked turn the tables. And it worked instantly Graham combining with the coach to score the opening major of the second half.
The pace of the game intensified as the Bombers felt a sense of urgency. Undisciplined play by Wangman gifted Stolarczyk his first, and it was the same result at the other end of the ground as King made the most of a free kick and subsequent 50 metre penalty.

Despite both sides hitting the scoreboard early the goal umpires were kept relatively quiet for the remainder of the term, with Glengarry failing to put the result beyond doubt with the side scoring eight behinds in front of a record qualifying final crowd.

It didn't get any better for the Bombers in the final term. The final quarter was a one sided affair, the Magpies dominating possession thanks to potter, Rowson, Nicholson and Little who dominated the clearances. Glengarry slammed home a further five majors to register a comprehensive 11.24 (9) to 4.3 (27) victory.

TTu's Pat Sharp left nothing in the locker room, Luke Middleton came in and out of the game taking on various roles in a dominating performance and Callum Laurie-Rhodes was instrumental in holding danger forward Mark Engley goalless, but the Bombers couldn't get a roll on in front of goals throughout the contest.

Elimination Final: Blues steam roll Cougars

One point separated ROSEDALE and Churchill at the final change of ends in a thrilling elimination final yesterday.
Starting the contest strongly it was all the Cougars early, Churchill slamming on a quick fired four unanswered goals ahead of the quarter time siren, and despite their opponents quick run forward the Blues were unable to execute the start they wanted on the scoreboard.

Rosedale's Jack Wyhoon opened the Blues scoring, which was quickly backed up by the Blues second in as many minutes as Andrew Flanagan crashed the pack to gain possession and snap true, leaving the Cougars defenders rattled.

Brad Scott, Chris Graham and Luke Stuckey worked hard to lift the side through the middle of the ground, as the fleet footed brigade created run and carry as they ensured the side remained in the contest.

The second term belonged to Rosedale as they reeled in the Cougars nine point lead to turn the tables to take a four point lead into the main change. The surge on the scoreboard was led by Flanagan, with his third major fittingly handing the Blues the lead.

The premiership term was a gripping affair as the scoreboard ticked over. Both sides exchanging blow for blow with the two key forwards for both teams Churchill's Brendan Holt and Flanagan having a field day as they created headaches of the opposition backlines.

Rosedale carried on how they finished the first half, slotting through the first major of the third term as they held their cool and measure in a frenetic paced contest.

On the other scale, Churchill appeared rush when pushing forward, their lack of conviction seeing costly turnovers as they failed to make the most of their chances. It was Rosedale's ability to rebound quickly and strongly from their backline that set the sides apart. A rare miss by Holt, saw the Blues led by Adam Diamond move the ball from the back 50 forward with Scott scoring from the turn over.

As the Blues threatened to run away, Holt slotted through one of his six for the contest to reel the margin back to a straight kick. Tim Darby and Neil Thompson combined minutes later however Thompsons shot on goal failed to level the scores. The Cougars forwards turned the defensive pressure on the Blues as they shut the ball in their forward line as they worked hard to make a charge on the scoreboard.

However, the Blues found a way out. Graham and Rohan Diamond moved it quickly from defence with Scott scoring from the goal square.

The Cougars quickly responded, but as they had done all term Rosedale added another through Flanagan as he out muscled his opponent Daniel Hawking to receive the free kick. Not to be out done, at the other end of the ground Holt added his fourth while team mates Mick Higgins and Chris Williams missed crucial shots. The margin a mere point at the final change.

Held quiet for three terms Brad Caldwell's first goal sparked the Blues. It would be one of two for term for Caldwell as he worked his way into the contest.

Flanagan blew the margin out to 13 points, but it was short lived as Brad Knowles lost his tag to run forward and goal. Caldwell added his second and as the script of the day had gone, Holt responded for Churchill.

It would be as close as the Cougars would get in the final term, Flanagan's sixth was followed by majors to Hayden Mowat and Jake Power as it rained goals in the dying stages of the knock out bout.

Brad Scott found plenty of the ball, Scott Johnstone was instrumental down back and made an impact when pushing forward, Stuckey continued his impressive form while Jeremy Reid was dogged in and around the contests.

Hawking was the lynch pin to the Cougars backline, Williams never gave up and was well supported by Tyson Webb, Joey Whykes and Travis Brighton, while Andrew Brown and Chris Burke were solid option
s around the ground in the ruck contests.
WEEK TWO FINALS:
SECOND SEMI FINAL –Heyfield V Glengarry, Saturday 31 August, Rosedale
FIRST SEMI FINAL – TTU V ROSEDALE Sunday 1 September, Heyfield

By Lauren Carey