SALE CITY's shock victory against last year's preliminary finalists on the road can best be described as the Dogs most memorable victory under new coach Hayden Burgiel.

The Dogs notched up their third straight win with a 17 point victory over an impressive Churchill line-up with the victory elevating the side to outright second on the premiership ladder standings.

Holding the home side goalless in a low scoring opening term, the Dogs defenders then felt the onslaught of the Cougars forward line as they slammed home seven majors to turn the tables and lead by 22 points at the long change. Led by Tim Darby in front of goal and coach Allan Chandler around the contests, the Cougars were impressive and appeared poised to carry their second term efforts into the final half.

But the pendulum swung and it would be the visitors pulled out a seven goal to two term reversing a 22 point deficit into a nine point lead at the final change.

Benefiting from the return of Jake Schuback to the line-up it was Schuback that combined with flashy forward Nick Grainger the pair lighting up the forward 50 as the Dogs remained resolute in not standing down.

The final term was an even affair with the Cougars inaccuracy in front of goal proving costly as they added a mere 1.6 (12) to City's 3.2 (20).

Notching up their second straight victory COWWARR were gallant in a contest which saw little love lost between the Saints and Bombers.

The contest enticed from the opening bounce with key match ups set to be game winners with both sides desperate to make a statement and claim the four points.

Kicking away in the opening 10 minutes of play the Bombers had the goods early, before the Saints slammed home four unanswered majors in a purple patch which would serve them well for the remainder of the contest. The first of the five was set up by Brett Strett whose fleet footed running saw him accelerate from his opponent and sit the ball up to Linden Brunt who scored rom 40 metres out.

Team mate Shane Morgan outmuscled two defenders to receive the free, the forward converting one of five for the contest. Ferguson switched play from one pocket to another to set Morgan up with his second in as many minutes to hand the visitors a nine point lead at the 20 minute mark.

Lee Cooper steadied and drilled the ball from defence along the boundary line to see the Saints add their fourth unanswered major with the Bombers responding ahead of quarter time.

A kick off the ground by Rick Battista got the Saints going early in the second term, the major was set up by a clever tap by Morgan which allowed a centering kick to the goal square wiht Battista running onto the ball for the Saints sixth major.

Coach Luke Cooper combined with Street and Morgan to set up Ben Coffey who scored from30 metres out directly in front of goal.

The warning bells sounded for the Bombers, captain Luke Middleton was moved into the ruck. Cory Bannister went with Brian Graham who was moved from the forward 50 to the engine room, Bannister wearing the danger man like a glove. Defender Nick Albanese went to Morgan in an effort to contain the Saint.

Despite the strategic moves, the Bombers appeared rushed and chocked by the pressure that the Saints were applying. Ferguson pestered his opponents, the Saints defenders hassled their opponents with their pressure sublime.

The third term was a more even affair two majors scored a piece, the first coming some 10 minutes into the quarter such was the fierce nature of the quarter.

The Bombers majors came late in the quarter and reeled the margin back to 22 points.

It was short lived 34 second on the clock Brendan Smith added another to his tally, however the Bombers didn't drop their heads with their big guns in the middle of the ground Graham, Middleton, Pat Sharp and Hayden Hector they kept challenging but with the clock counting down it wasn't enough.

Three points separated the reigning premiers GLENGARRY and Woodside at the final siren.

Inaccuracy in front of goal hampered the Wildcats challenge while at the other end of the ground the Magpies led by Mark Engley and Josh King had no such issue in finding the posts.

The Magpies lead at the first change, and further built on their lead with a solid second term which saw the side add 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21) to the scoreboard. But it was Glengarry's third term which set the tone and proved enough to starve off a late Woodside challenge.

Leading by five goals at the start of the final term, the Magpies ran out of fuel as the Wildcats overran the home side in many facets of the game slamming home five majors from eight scoring shots to reel the margin in. With Glengarry's lead dwindling away the Magpies were saved by the bell with the siren ringing on Woodside's challenge.
The top of the table showdown between foes HEYFIELD and Rosedale provided the Kangaroos with their first real test of the season.

Undefeated after five rounds the top of the table Heyfield were forced to work hard for the four points with Rosedale proving stiff competition.

Little separated the sides in the opening half, the Kangaroos led by a straight kick at the first change with the margin a mere two points at the main change with the Blues through forward Andrew Flanagan reeling in the margin.

Within striking distance the Blues failed to match the Kangaroos in the premiership term, with the visitors slamming home seven goals to three to create a handy 26 point buffer at the final term. Jesse Bedggood was the main protagonist in front of goal with a haul of five, Bedggood one of 10 individual goal scorers in a high scoring affair.

The home side rallied early in the fourth term to make a charge on the scoreboard, the running brigade of best on ground Dale Fleming, Luke Stuckey and Rohan Diamond tested the Kangaroos runners as the Blues made a statement in front of goals.

Despite outscoring the Kangaroos in the final term the Blues would fall 11 points short at the siren, 17.11 (113) to 14.18 (102).

Drawing level in the opening minutes of the final term, Gormandale troubled YARRAM with the plucky Tigers booting seven goals to one in the third term to come within arm's reach of the Demons.

Down and out in the opening half of the contest trailing by 40 points the Tigers appeared on track for a comprehensive loss, however the yellow and black army rallied holding the home side to one major as they went on a barrage in front of goal to reel the deficit back to a kick.

Scoring the opening major of the final term to lock the scores level, the Tigers momentum was overrun by a dogged Demon outfit who regained composure to be led by Corbin Sutherland in front of goal. Despite the Tigers best efforts they could not match the fast finishing Demons who ran rampant in the final stages of the contest to win 16.20 (116) to 12.8 (80).

Yarram coach Grif Underwood continued his impressive form of the opening month of the fixture claiming best on ground honours, he was ably assisted by Trek Davis and forward Sutherland.

For the Tigers Josh Sandy and Blake Sandy booted three a piece, with Luke McLean collecting the three votes.

By Lauren Carey