HEYFIELD recorded its second win of the North Gippsland football season, defeating Boisdale-Briagolong by 73 points.
By the first change, the Kangaroos led by 20 points and from then on were never in danger. Staring down the barrel of consecutive losses, the Bombers failed to fire in the second quarter as the Kangaroos slammed on six unanswered majors on their way to a 18.22 (130) to 9.3 (57) victory.
Best-on-ground Shaun Humphries was dangerous whether in the middle or pushing forward, while Jesse Bedggood and coach Adrian Cox were continual threats when they got their hands on the ball.
Leigh Fullford didn’t drop his colours in a strong performance for the Bombers, while Danny Pratt was their only multiple goal scorer, finishing the match with three.
WHAT was billed as match of the round turned into a fizzer after half-time as Rosedale ran away to a 66-point win over Traralgon-Tyers United.
After taking a 13-point lead into the second half, the home side slammed nine unanswered goals to win 17.11 (113) to 6.11 (47).
The teams kicked nine goals between them during a high-scoring first term, with the Blues holding a five-point lead at quarter-time.
Both teams’ key forwards of recent weeks were well held throughout the contest, with Bomber defender Callum Laurie-Rhodes locking down the Blues danger forward Ross McDermott, while the visitors’ midfield appeared more comfortable in front of goal.
While McDermott had a quiet day in front of goal, it was Andrew Flanagan who stood tall, often taunting the Bombers defence which had no answer to his strength and positioning in the forward line.
Flanagan was simply amazing as he managed to boot 10 goals, more than TTU. The goals weren’t handed to him on a plate either, as they came from contested marks, many of them against more than one opponent.
Some credit must go to Flanagan’s teammates as they continuingly sat the ball out in front of him to mark.
In stark contrast, the Bombers’ forward line struggled with the Rosedale defence of Justin Smith, Scott Johnstone, Dom Keating and Jed Hickey saw the visitors fail to register a major in the second half.
TTU’s errors going forward proved costly, with the Blues’ back line, led by best-on-ground Jake Power, picking off the Bombers attacks with ease.
Rosedale continued to hit targets, amass possessions and make the most of its opportunities in the second half, with Dale Fleming and McDermott providing the ground level spark in front of goal.
IT took until the second half for Sale City to shake off Woodside and win by 16 goals.
Six goals to Nic Grainger and four each to Mitch Bennett and Josh Tollner spearheaded the Bulldogs to their third win this season, 25.21 (171) to 9.10 (64).
Despite having 15 shots to four in the third quarter, the visitors’ inaccuracy in front of goal allowed Woodside to remain in the contest at the final change of ends but the Bulldogs upped the tempo in the fourth quarter as Jake Schuback lifted his side.
Sam Hanratty and Josh Griffin toiled hard for the Wildcats, while Ryan Foat finished the match with four goals.
GLENGARRY scored an emphatic 45-point victory over Cowwarr.
A strong final term close out the 16.13 (109) to 9.10 (64) win, the Magpies’ second from three starts this season.
Glengarry opened up a 20-point lead at half-time with Shaun Barnes and Josh Piper in blistering touch in front of goals. The Saints rallied in the third term, cutting the deficit to seven points at the final change before the visitors booted seven goals to one.
Trevor May stood-out for the Magpies with Chris Wangman and Bobby Marshall also influential throughout the match. Shane Morgan and Jordon Bourke were among the Saints’ best.
CHURCHILL won its first match of the season, trouncing Gormandale by 102 points.
Kicking 6.7 to a point with the wind in the first term, the Cougars established an advantage never relinquished, building on their lead at every change, winning 20.18 (138) to 5.6 (36).
Dale Patterson and Mark Andrews booted three majors each for the Cougars, while teammates Brendan Holt, midfielders Travis Brighton and Joey Whykes were also prominent.
