FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
RIGHT when it seemed as though the ladder had begun to shape itself accordingly in North Gippsland, here came Round 14.
While just four matches went ahead instead of the usual five, the round produced dramatics of the highest order that could have severe ramifications for how the finals bracket is placed by the end of the home-and-away season.
Three sides are now tied for first on the ladder, while three additional teams are on seven wins from fourth to sixth, with another still a live chance.
Rosedale 12.7 (79) def TTU 4.14 (38)
WELL, that was unexpected wasn’t it?
Rosedale completed the upset of the season with a 12.7 (79) to 4.14 (38) defeat of previously unbeaten Traralgon Tyers United at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.
As it was appearing that the Bombers were highly likely to close out 18 rounds without a loss for the second time in three seasons (previous in their 2023 premiership year), the Blues rose for their biggest win of the season, giving them their clearest outlook to date of booking a finals slot.
Not only did they take down the flag favourites in a pivotal point in the season, but it was the manner in which they did it.
Rosedale opened with the first four goals of the match before TTU even realised what happened. The Bombers answered the call and kicked the next two of first quarter to trail by 10 points.
It didn’t seem as though onlookers were in for a demolition either way.
That continued, as an even contest played out in the second term, with the Bombers banging home a major to bring it back to under a goal.
Both sides were troubled in front of the big sticks, combining for nine behinds in the quarter, with six of those coming from TTU.
The Blues kicked their singular goal late in the opening half to lead by seven points at the main break.
With not much in it, the time came for either side to rise above.
Turns out it was Rosedale – the Blues booted two goals for the quarter to create separation of 21 points, and as the Rosedale backline held strong, they gave little opportunity for TTU to score even in small doses.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the party had well and truly started for the Blues.
While the Bombers kicked their only remaining goal to begin the last term, Rosedale added a further five goals to finish clear victors.
Perhaps most stunning was how driven the Blues’ defence remained throughout the entire day’s proceedings.
TTU had not kicked less than 10 goals in a game all season, and if you take out last year’s Grand Final, they hadn’t scored as poorly since Round 1 last season.
Brandon McConnell completed a best-on-ground performance for Rosedale, followed by Will Logan with four goals, Tom Northe, Blake Safstrom, Harper Fox and Declan Barnett (two goals).
The Blues get a chance to rest this weekend, but will await to do battle in another finals-like showdown against Yarram in Round 16.
TTU had Sam Curtain, Zach Kilgower, Liam Michie, Flynn Shields, Michael Jacobsen and Stuart Goddard in their best.
Heyfield 9.8 (62) def YYN 7.9 (51)
WHILE one side is now as alive as ever for their deepest season in some time, another is in danger of their lowest finish in more than a decade.
Heyfield rallied late to secure four points over Yallourn Yallourn North, 9.8 (62) to 7.9 (51) at George Bates Reserve.
The Kangaroos had responded after consecutive defeats against TTU and Woodside to enter the weekend with four straight wins.
The Jets, on the other hand, came in just clinging above the rest of sides doing battle to complete the top five, after falling to Sale City two weeks ago.
While not likely to catch Heyfield for third-place on the ladder, YYN could still get fourth – a result which could remind the rest of the competition that they are still not to be taken lightly this deep into the season.
The Jets came out the gate hot with the opening three goals, and also gave little room for the Kangaroos to work with, resulting in a 19-point to nothing start.
Heyfield playing-coaching, Leigh Brown responded first, but Josh Keyhoe added another for YYN to see the home side lead 26-7 at the first break.
Jets playing-coach Dean MacDonald extended the margin to 25 points, after a healthy amount of time went by to start the second quarter without a goal, and was MacDonald’s second major early on.
Brown and Kyle Graham answered for Heyfield, digging deep in a time in which the game could have easily gotten away from them, only for MacDonald to rise again for the Jets with a snap on his left foot deep in the pocket in front of the can bar, keeping the margin above 20 points as halftime arrived.
The second half was fiery, as the two opposing ruckmen in Owen Budge and Shaun Humphreys went at each other hard in the opening minutes.
After an early goal from the Kangaroos, YYN appeared to be controlling the game, keeping the ball in their forward half for the majority of the third quarter.
Heyfield did well however, withstanding a tough stint without sustaining a major score against, and eventually added one from Brown late into stoppage time as the margin sat at 10 points with a quarter spare.
Within minutes, the Kangaroos added yet another from James Beha to quickly bring the deficit to four points with plenty of time remaining.
Lachlan Rees responded a short while after for the Jets, adding their first major of the second half.
Play continued to go back-and-forth throughout the final term, before Heyfield suddenly shot in front for the first time all day with one from Daniel Burton carrying from deep and then Graham adding his third.
The Jets were quickly under worlds of pressure, with the contest as tight as ever.
While there was desperation from YYN, the Kangaroos set up incredibly as they looked to control the match, making it incredibly difficult for the Jets to exit their backline and down to their forwards.
Tom Marchesi then shot home the sealer off a high free kick to place them right among TTU and Woodside on the ladder.
A complete team effort from Heyfield led their second half comeback, but Jack Christian, Marchesi, Max Van Der Zwart, Burton, Gippsland Power product Mitchell Stevens and Robert McMillan were some of their best.
Graham and Brown each added three goals for the Kangaroos.
With games ahead against Gormandale, Cowwarr and Glengarry, there is every possibility Heyfield can jump ahead either of the last two premiers on the ladder.
A disappointing result for YYN, they drop outside the top five with other results across the round going against them. The Jets are in danger of missing finals for the first time in over a decade.
Jai Massese, Dylan Bath, Tyler Brown, Campbell MacInnes, Rohan Reid and Darcy Shellcot were admirable in defeat.
Sale City 11.12 (78) def Cowwarr 8.6 (54)
WHAT could have been?
Cowwarr was within 20 minutes of their biggest win of the season, and potentially giving themselves a shot at finals, before falling to Sale City, 11.12 (78) to 8.6 (54) at Stephenson Park.
The Saints opened out of the gate early with three of the first four goals of the match to lead at quarter time.
The Bulldogs replied as play returned, booting two of the three goals for the second term, as they controlled possession and added scoreboard pressure to lead by halftime.
As the third quarter started, Jaxsyn Whitehill booted one to push Sale City ahead by eight points, only as Cowwarr responded with the next three goals to lead by 11 points at the final turn.
If the Saints were able to complete this away victory, it could have been the first time they were competing for finals in many years.
However, Sale City rose above with six of the final seven goals, keeping them in track for a second straight postseason trip.
Hudson Tollner was a star for the Bulldogs, followed by Whitehill, Daine McGuiness, Kaden McCulloch with four goals, Micholas Lerardi and Lachlan Carman.
Ben Coffey, Brett Grieve, Robbie Farnham, Patrick Tainsh, Shane Morgan and Jackson Davison were best for Cowwarr.
Woodside 19.14 (128) def Yarram 5.5 (35)
THE reigning premier could be hitting their apex.
With results going in their favour, and due to making Yarram look like a second-rate side, Woodside are right back in the hunt for the minor premiership.
The Wildcats defeated Yarram, 19.14 (128) to 5.5 (35) at Yarram Recreation Reserve.
Even despite the Demons leading by three points after the first quarter, Woodside rained goals after that, booting eight of the next nine to go ahead by 40 points by the main break.
Yarram couldn’t match their opponent’s output, only adding one goal once play returned, while the Wildcats added another nine majors to see through a sizeable victory.
Cameron Whiteoak and Michael O’Sullivan led the scoring charge with four goals apiece, while Adam Janssen, Luke Johnson and Ethan Stephens all played well for Woodside.
Liam Bentley, Daniel Vardy, Shem Rendell, Lochie Roberts, Cody Harrison and Kayleb Pearce stood tall for the Demons.
CHURCHILL, Glengarry, and Gormandale had the bye.
