It was a happy Mother's Day for GORMANDALE who broke through to record their opening win of the season against arch rivals Glengarry.

Renowned to be the thorn in the Magpies side the Tigers started the contest strongly, before grinding to an almighty halt in the final term as they failed to register a major with the reigning premiers making a late charge in front of goal.

Leading by 26 points at half time, the Tigers and Magpies exchanged blow for blow adding six majors each in a highly entertaining third term. The Magpies failing to eat into the deficit as they went into the final term 27 points behind, with Gormandale's silky midfield of Brendan Solomon, Josh Sandy and Daniel Domaille dictating the game on their terms.

Registering the opening two majors the reining premiers made their move, however the clock counted down on their challenge the Tigers holding sway to record a 16 point victory and regain the Keith Lang – Bill Onley Cup.

Searching for their first win on the road, four points separated SALE CITY and Yarram at the final siren in a gritty gutsy performance by the Dogs which deprived the Demons their first win away.

Starting strongly the Dogs opened the match with a six goal to one first quarter with majors from Jake Milham, Shay Ferguson and Nick Grainger setting the home side alight.

With coach Hayden Burgiel directing traffic from the sidelines the Dogs dominance came from a classy rotating midfield who benefited from ruck man Matt Lutze first use of the ball with best on ground Brad Walsh staring in the engine room along side, Rowan Bell, Byron Shingles, Jake Schuback and Josh Barbetti.

The Dogs ferocious attack on the footy and the man can be best described as ruthless the pressure placed on the Demons was second to none and found the visitors napping on occasions.

The tables turned in the second term Corbin Sutherland registered the Demons first in the early stages of the opening term, and looked to follow up with the first of the second however his shot hit the post. It wasn't long before he had his second which would be the first of three for the 25 minutes of play as the Demons slowly chipped away at the scoreboard.

Josh Swift added the Demons second in a row, before Sutherland added yet another to bring the margin back to within 10 points. It was shortly lived quick movement from the Dogs back six of Tim Dimarco, Brad McKay, Ben Chivers, Tom Bowman, Rhett Allen and Mitch Hepworth set the home side up in front of goals time and time again throughout the contest.

The third term belonged to Yarram the visitors outscoring the Dogs three majors to one, coach Grif Underwood leading the charge as his side lifted their intensity in the wet slippery conditions.

Trailing by 10 points at the final change the Demons got a sniff Michael Lush and Josh Swift combining to level scores at 59 apiece.

City had their chances to shut the gate on the contest however missed opportunities kept the Demons in with a chance before Walsh and Mitch Bennett combined, Bennett registering his third which handed the Dogs an unassailable lead with the clock ending Yarram's challenge, 9.15 (69) to 9.10 (65).

ROSEDALE had to unleash a withering third quarter burst of seven goals to overrun a determined and hard-working Cowwarr 20.18 (138) to 10.15 (75).

Rosedale imposed their presence in the early stages of the premiership term to burst out of the blocks and establish a commanding lead one that they would fail to relinquish.

The Blues continuing their relentless attack on the footy in the final term kicking a further six goals to four, to hand Cowwarr a 63 point defeat and their first loss in over three weeks.

Brad Scott was the pick of the goal scorers with seven majors outshining the league leading goal scorer Andrew Flanagan who finished the contest with five majors. Adam Diamond, Luke Stuckey and Scott were among the Blues best.

For the Saints Simon Ferguson was judged best a field, while Shane Morgan and Linden Brunt played a key role in the forward 50 chipping in with three goals apiece.

The final term in the contest between WOODSIDE and TTU was delayed due to a prolonged injury time, however the delay didn't rattle the nerves of the Wildcats who held on to record a 13.5 (83) to 9.12 (66) victory over TTU.

The Bombers started the contest strongly in a desperate attempt to get their season on track. Boasting 11 scoring shots to one, the visitors galloped away to a 25 point lead at the first break however failed to make the most of their dominance on the scoreboard.

With the words of coach Chris Pettitt ringing in their ears, it was the Wildcats that responded to their coaches pleas to draw to within three points at the main break. The home side's momentum wasn't halted by the long break slamming home five goals to three the Wildcats turned a first term25 point deficit into a 10 point lead at the final change of ends.

Little separated the sides in the final term with the Bombers through Pat Sharp and Marcus Pilgrim worked hard to maintain possession with their work rate and intensity matched by Woodside's Clint Staley and Shane Kilgower with Adrian Fazoli providing the spark in front of goals.

CHURCHILL proved too strong for Boisdale/Briagolong recording a comfortable 13 goal victory on the road.
Subdue in the first term the Cougars came out firing in the second quarter booting six goals to two to take a commanding six goal lead into the long change.

The premiership term saw the visitors through Brad Knowles and Tim Darby who finished the contest with five and four goals respectively inflict further damage on the scoreboard as they extended their lead to 70 points at the final change.

While the Bombers exchanged blows on the scoreboard it was the Cougars that held the upper hand, midfielder Chris Williams sublime in a best on ground performance, Travis Brighton continued his impressive start to the season the experienced campaigner leading from the front while Knowles was at his dangerous best on front of goals.

Boasting nine individual goal scorers including seven of which who kicked multiple majors Churchill's many avenues in front of goal stifled their opposition.

The Bombers toiled hard but struggled to match it on the scoreboard with their higher ranked opponents. Kyle Ashton was best a field for Boisdale/Briagolong, while Steve Pollard and John Burge finished the contest with three majors a piece.

By Lauren Carey