CHURCHILL enhanced its premiership credentials on Saturday after it emerged 39 point victors against Rosedale with the victory catapulting the Cougars into second position.

In the clash between second and fourth it was the Cougars that ran rampant from the onset with the inform side of the competition flexing their muscles in front of goal as they marked their intentions early.

Holding the Blues to a mere goal in the opening half of the contest, Churchill displayed superior ball use and moments of brilliance which was the difference between the teams in the anticipated showdown, 13.13 (91) to 6.16 (52).

The contest between the competitions front runners promised plenty on paper, however failed to live up to all expectations with the Blues left flat footed and wanting in a dogged opening half.

Booting the opening two majors Churchill were on with ruckman Andrew Brown feeding the ball to the midfield generals of Travis Brighton and Chris Williams who got on top of the contest early as they took on Craig Mayman, Rowan Diamond, Dale Fleming and company, but with more influence.

The Blues had their chances early with Luke Stuckey and defender Scott Johnstone missing set shots while at the other end of the ground it was a different story, Brad Knowles and Brendan Holt converted with ease.

Inflicting a furnace of pressure on the opposition, the Blues found themselves smothered as Churchill's intensity and tackling caught Rosedale's fleet footed runners out time and time again.

Down by 22 points at the first break, Johnstone endeavoured to open the home sides account his shot at goal adding to a long list of behinds. Fleming didn't let the size of Brown daunt him as the Blue chased and ran down the ruckman in a superb piece of play that sparked his side.

With play concentrating in Rosedale's forward 50 it didn't take long for the side to capitalise, Andrew Flanagan sneaking the Blues first through some five minutes into the second term. But as quickly as they had scored Hamish Towns and Holt combined to add another for the visitors.

It was an entertaining match with absorbing man-on-man contests all over the field, the Blues defence of Jed Hickey, Ryan Carpenter, Will Flanagan and Frazar Brouns held strong to hold the Cougars forwards at bay but struggled when the opposition ran hard and fast on the rebound to score time and time again.

When the Cougars lost possession they were disciplined in the way they set up a zone defence and filled space, forcing Rosedale to bomb it long to Flanagan who was kept in close check by James Hayward.

The second half was a more even affair with the Blues grinding away at the scoreboard, but the damage had been inflicted earlier with poor execution and finesse robbing the home side of the points.

Churchill registered the first of the premiership term before Rosedale drilled home the following two. As they had done all day the flurry of majors was answered by one of Williams two for the contest as emotions ran rife in a heated closing to the quarter.

The sides went goal for goal in the final term Rosedale's Brad Scott and Fleming scoring but it was Campbell's major for Churchill tight on the boundary from outside 40 metres that was the major of the term.

Brighton was important for the Cougars when it mattered, his opening term effort was brilliant and set the ascendancy. Ruckman Brown worked hard, Williams and Jordon Fenech won individual contest after contest around the ground and defender Chris Burke was a standout.
For the Blues Rowan Diamond was superb a catalyst in the engine room, Scott was solid and had an impact in front of goal while Hickey was tireless in a vote winning performance.

Turning it on in front of premiership stars of yester year WOODSIDE kept their finals ambitions alive with an 11 goal victory over Boisdale/Briagolong to the delight of the clubs 1974 premiership team.

In a high scoring opening term the Wildcats slammed home six majors and showed no signs of slowing, the Wildcats registering a further five ahead of the long change to lead by over 50 points.

The Wildcats main protagonists in front of goal were Sam D'Argenio (four), Justin Staley (four) and Adrian Fazioli (three) who made the most of their chances. At the other end of the ground the goals were harder to come by with Sam Howden and Jon Burge booting two apiece.

TTU provided YARRAM with spirited opposition before the Demons found their groove to break the shackles and record a 25 point victory on the road.

Keeping at arm's reach the Bombers benefited from the inclusion of a number of key players including Brian Graham who challenged the Demon defenders when pushing forward, while Pat Sharp shook off his calf injury to run with the Demons key play makers including coach Grif Underwood.

Evenly matched a straight kick separated the sides at the first break before Yarram led by the Swift's, Jarryd and Josh made their mark in front of goal the duo booting four a piece.

The honours went to the visitors in the premiership term where they slammed home six majors to two to establish a commanding 35 point lead one that they would fail to relinquish.

Dylan Rash was judged best a field for the Demons with Matt Clavarino and Trek Davis solid contributors.

Following a winless month, GORMANDALE caused one of the upsets of the season with veteran forward Paul Richards booting six majors in his first senior appearance for the season.

Starting the contest strongly against Sale City, the Tigers caught their more fancied opponent off guard to lead the contest by 10 points at the first break. The Dogs rallied in the second term to throw down the gauntlet booting three goals to nil to put themselves back in the contest.

Led by Mitch Bennett who booted seven majors, the Dogs turned a 10 point deficit into a three point margin at half time. The Dogs kept at the home side in the premiership term matching them on the scoreboard the sides booting five goals a piece with experienced campaigners Ben Chivers, Jake Milham and damaging midfielder Brad McKay leading from the front.

The Tigers responded Richards answering the challenge on the scoreboard; Jordon Sandy created something out of nothing on several occasions while Nathan Brown played his role well.

Leading by eight points with a minute left on the clock the Tigers held their composure to register their second win of the season.

HEYFIELD led from the outset in the clash between last year's grand finalists with the undefeated Kangaroos proving too strong for the Magpies winning, 21.21 (147) to 3.8 (26).

It was a dirty day at the office for the reigning champs who proved little match for the competitions number one ranked side. Held goal less in the opening term, it was a sense of de-javu for the Magpies who failed to again score at the same end in the third term.

On the other hand the Kangaroos didn't have such issues, Jesse Bedggood (five) and Joel Dinsdale (four) two of 11 individual goal scorers for the home side.

By Lauren Carey