Glengarry broke a 17 year premiership drought in thrilling fashion in front of a record crowd of over 4,400 people with the decider forced into extra time following Heyfield's Cal Egan's behind in the dying stages on the contest which drew scores at 14.13 (97) a piece.
Forced into extra time players had to dig deep with an additional 20 minutes of play contested before the crowning of the North Gippsland Football Netball League 2013 premiers in the most enthralling grand final of the past decade.
A best on ground performance by Glengarry's Josh King steered the Magpies to victory against last year's premiers in the last breath of extra time, 16.15 (111) to 15.15 (105).
King the premier centre half forward of the competition took all before him on the grand stage. Presenting himself for the leading mark, King booted a game high seven majors and contributed to a number of others and importantly when the game was there for the taking in extra time stood tall to goal to extend the Pies lead to 13 points.
The Magpies star forward was not alone in a true team effort the Magpies holding on to win when the game was in the balance as the Kangaroos led by coach Adrian Cox threw the gauntlet down in a last ditch attempt to seal back to back flags only to fall short by a straight kick.
Glengarry's Chris Panayiotou pitted against Jack Woodland, Heyfield defender Jesse Leeds in King's hip pocket, Chris Wangman tracking Adrian Cox and Sean Humphries shoulder-to-shoulder with Luke Forbes. . . . It was all so appetizing at the opening bounce.
King kick started proceedings in the opening minutes of play a strong lead and mark setting the tone with the forwards shot at goal splitting the sticks.
A shot on the run by Heyfield's Josh Stubbes missed to the near side, however the defensive pressure by the Kangaroos forwards set Mr September Brett Szabo up for what would be his only goal for the contest as he left the ground early with an ankle injury.
Cox quickly became the danger man of the quarter. The class of the Roos coach shone though running around the man dodging the opposition to shoot for goal from outside of 30 to draw his side 10 points clear.
King registered his second for the term, before Kodie Woodland got the quick reply to keep the momentum in Heyfield's favour. True to the opening terms ebbs and flows, Connor Cook got the response to keep the Magpies in arms reach before Jesse Bedggood's booming kick from outside 40 metres recorded the Roos fourth.
Glengarry started the second term on the front foot with the first score, before a quick reply by Heyfield's Mitch Dowse. It would be the last of the majors for the Roos in a quiet term which saw King and co turn it on in the forward line.
Coach Ryan Potters major handed Glengarry the lead, and they didn't look back in a blistering 15 minutes of play which saw King add three and Winkler get in on the act.
King single handily turned the contest in the second term as the battle against defender Leeds looked to sit in King's favour, the bigger body of the Magpies forward outmuscling the Kangaroos backline. His third for the term handed the Magpies took a 23 point buffer at the long change.
The premiership third term was exactly that, the match winning 25 minutes of football which appeared to turn the game in Heyfield's favour.
In a David and goliath style battle, the Kangaroos where hitting their opponent and the ball hard as they worked hard to contain Glengarry's run and drive which was shown in patches by their fleet footed on ball brigade of Potter, Lochie Little and Brock Rawson.
While they didn't have the impact that they would have liked on the score board in the second term, Heyfield began to win a number of crucial contests around the ground as they looked to get back into the contest and take control. Manning up, playing man on man at the contest the Kangaroos held the ball tight and shut down Glengarry's run as they created their own.
Two quick majors by Mitch Dowse set the tone for Heyfield's six goal to one tem. The Magpies sole goal for the term coming through Winkler as the Roos defence led by Scot Anderson and Matt Johnston kept the Magpies's forwards in close check. The margin reeled back to four points ahead of the final term.
The final term could be best described as epic. A heart stopping term which saw seven majors scored and those handy behinds which added up to a drawn score line at the final siren. King and Mark Engley were the power forwards for Glengarry in the final term, while Kodie Woodland stood tall and added to his match tally of five.
With extra time on the clock, physical exhaustion setting in the stage was set for a defining 20 minutes of play which would decide the title holder. King fittingly scored the opening goal before marking in front of Anderson, his next shot missed before redemption moments later as he added another as the margin blew out to 14 points.
Tactics quickly changed for the Kangaroos Jesse Bedggood was thrown onto the ball, Cox lifted to another level, Kodie Woodland found the goals and the Dowse brothers Nic and Mitch Dowse attacked the ball with hard ferocious running.
Nic Dinsdale brought the margin back to a straight kick after several misses to Heyfield, the Kangaroos went on the attack again through Mitch Dowse however the siren rang on the sides last ditch attempt.
Five goals from HEYFIELD's best on ground Nathan Wellin's aided the minor premiers to a 21 point win over TTU in the reserves final.
A four goal to two final term guaranteed the victory, after what had been a tight goal for goal tussle, 12.13 (85) to 10.4 (64).
Last year's bridesmaids the Kangaroos were simply too strong in the final quarter, TTU challenged on a number of occasions as they came to life but couldn't match Heyfield who booted away on the scoreboard.
COWWARR thirds claimed their first premiership title in as many attempts with a 16 point win over the competitions number one ranked side Churchill.
Bursting out of the blocks the Saints slammed home five majors to start the contest, before a further five in the second term handed the side a 14 point break at the main change. The Cougars kept within arm's reach however the damage by Linden Brunt in front of goals was too much to contain, Cowwarr winning 19.5 (119) to 15.13 (103).
The premiership Saints received their medallions and cup from former Australian Football League premiership player Carlton's Anthony Koutoufides.
The Kangaroos burst out of the blocks registering the first major through coach Adrian Cox which was quickly followed by another in the opening minutes of the contest, before Rosedale responded through forward live wire Ross McDermott.
Heyfield got the quick reply before McDermott was at it again this time setting up teammate Brad Caldwell.
A centring kick by Heyfield's Jesse Bedggood set up veteran Brett Szabo, however a 50 metre penalty for an indiscretion off the ball saw Bedggood Slot through the Kangaroos fourth straight in a high scoring 20 minutes of play.
The Dowse brothers Mitch and Nic made an early impact of proceedings, Mitch directing traffic as he amassed possessions setting up many passages of play. Cox failed to finish off the hard work of Dowse, moving the ball with speed the Blues gained momentum from half back drilling the ball into Flanigan who had his second fort the term.
Flanigan was at it again as the battle against defender Stevens looked to sit in Flanigan's favour, the bigger body of the Blue forward outmuscling the Kangaroos backline. His third for the term handed the Blues a 10 point buffer.
The forward of the term was at it again with another ahead of the quarter time siren.
McDermott had an opportunity to quickly extend the margin in the opening seconds of the second term but his shot at goal sprayed the face of goal. Dale Fleming broke through five minutes into the term with the first major to the Blues, as the ball then moved back and forward between the two half backlines.
In a David and goliath style battle, the Kangaroos where hitting their opponent and the ball hard as they worked hard to contain Rosedale's run and drive which was shown in patches by their fleet footed on ball brigade of King, Emery and Darcy Murray.
Humphries shot at goal from outside 50 metres missed, as the Blues drew their lead out to 22 points as the Kangaroos struggled to find the goals. The side's sole goal for the term coming through Jesse Jackway as the Rosedale defence led by Dom Keating and Jed Hickey kept the Heyfield's forwards in close check.
While they didn't have the impact that they would have liked on the score board, Heyfield had began to win a number of crucial contests around the ground as they looked to get back into the contest and take control. Manning up, playing man on man at the contest the Kangaroos held the ball tight and shut down Rosedale's run.
The premiership third term was exactly that, the match winning 25 minutes of football which appeared to turn the game in Heyfield's favour.
Squandering a number of opportunities in front of goal, Rosedale failed to score a major for the term registering five behinds in a tough quarter of football.
Rosedale's McDermott missed the Blues opening shot at goal to start the second half, while Mitch Dowse drew the margin back to 11 points following his first major.
In an ominous sign for Heyfield, Cox started to make his mark and the signs continued to shine in the Kangaroos favour as they found themselves one man up following the yellow carding of Rosedale's Jeremy Reid during the term. Dinsdale only added to the Blues coaches headaches his major bringing the margin back to four points.
Kangaroo defender Jordon McMillan worked hard to keep McDermott in check as he threatened to cause more damage in front of goal, but McMillan, Brown and Jesse Leeds worked tirelessly in the third term setting the Kangaroos up as they let little through the defensive 50.
There was no questioning the desperation, Dinsdale's tackle in the goal square saved a guaranteed Rosedale major. Rosedale's Craig Bourne took a strong courageous mark moving back with the flight of the ball halting Heyfield's run forward.
But it was the Blues lost opportunities in front of goal that left the door ajar for the Kangaroos who were not content in lying down. Cox lifted his intensity throwing his body around, coming up with the ball time and time again the Dowse brothers and Dinsdale were ball magnets, with Brenton Dinsdale a standout as Heyfield began to dominate the play.
King captains goal broke the tide of six straight behinds for the Blues to start the final quarter. Caldwell stood tall to pull down a mighty mark as the Blues looked to make it two from two but his shot skewed of the side of the boot. Working hard to keep the ball in the forward line locking in the play, Fleming was rewarded a free kick and made no mistake sealing another as the margin blew out to 15 points
Dinsdale wore down different players in a desperate passage of play, which saw Cox swoop on the ball and find Mitch Dowse who added another for the Kangaroos'. Jack Woodland levelled scores with this major, before Matt Bedggood but the underdogs in front.
Rosedale responded Flanigan outmuscled his opponent Brown, to again level scores as the clock counted down. A strong kick and placement by the Kangaroos midfielder found Jesse Bedggood whose shot at goal just cleared the reach of the Blues defenders on the goal line.
Jesse Jackway got the reply for Heyfield before Jesse Bedggood added another in a five minute purple patch for the Kangaroos which left the Blues flat footed and wanting as they quickly found themselves three goals down.
Heyfield's youngsters were instrumental in the side's victory. The Kangaroos rotating engine room of the Dowse brothers, Dinsdale, Josh Neille, Dave Kelly and Humphries presented all day, with Jesse Bedggood the barometer of the sides charge on the scoreboard in the final term.
The Kangaroos defence led by Leeds had reassurance when under stress. Whether it was Brown's timely spoils, Brenton Dinsdale dropping back into marking contests or McMillan on the overlap for a relieving hand pass.
Rosedale challenged with their characteristic midfield control, fast breaks and, at times, audacious and adventurous ball-sharing by the forwards, particularly Fleming, McDermott and Flanigan as the side looked to remain in the contest in the dying stages of the match.
By Lauren Carey
