NGFNL
ROUND SIX
It was a happy Mother’s Day for Gormandale when the Tigers broke through to record their opening win of the season against rivals Glengarry in North Gippsland Football League.
The Tigers began the contest strongly, before grinding to an almighty halt in the final term where they failed to register a major with the reigning premier makde a late charge.
Gormandale led by 26 points at half-time, before the Tigers and Magpies kicked six goals each in a highly entertaining third term.
The Magpies failed to eat into the deficit, with Gormandale’s Brendan Solomon, Josh Sandy and Daniel Domaille dictating the game.
Glengarry fought back in the final quarter with the opening two majors, but ran out of time.
The Tigers held sway to record a 16-point victory and regain the Keith Lang-Bill Onley Cup.
Sale City v Yarram
Four points separated victors Sale City and Yarram at the final siren.
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.
Coach Hayden Burgiel directed traffic from the sidelines as the Dogs’ dominant midfield benefited from ruckman Matt Lutze’s first use of the ball.
The tables turned in the second quarter when Corbin Sutherland registered the Demons’ first goal in the early stages, and looked to follow up with a second, however, his shot hit the post.
It was not long before Sutherland found his mark as the Demons slowly chipped away at the margin.
Josh Swift added a goal for the Demons, before Sutherland scored another to bring the margin back to within 10 points.
However, 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.
The third term belonged to Yarram as the visitors outscored the Dogs three majors to one.
Demons coach Griffin Underwood led the charge as his team lifted their intensity in the wet conditions.
The Demons trailled by 10 points at the final change.
Yarram’s Michael Lush and Josh Swift combined early in the final term to level scores at 59-all.
City had its chances to shut the gate on the contest, however, missed opportunities kept the Demons in with a chance before Walsh and Mitch Bennett connected.
Bennett registered his third, which handed the Dogs an unassailable lead with the clock ending Yarram’s challenge, 9.15 (69) to 9.10 (65).
Cowwarr v Rosedale
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).
The Blues continued their relentless attack on the football in the final quarter with six goals to four, to hand Cowwarr a 63-point defeat.
Brad Scott was the pick of the goal scorers with seven and outshone 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 on field, while Shane Morgan and Linden Brunt played a key role in the forward 50, chipping in with three goals each.
Woodside v TTU
The final term in the contest between Woodside and Traralgon Tyers United was delayed due to a prolonged injury, but the Wildcats held their nerve to record a 13.5 (83) to 9.12 (66) victory.
The Bombers started the contest well in a desperate attempt to get their season on track.
The visitor boasted 11 scoring shots to one and galloped away to a 25-point lead at the first break.
After some words from coach Chris Pettitt, the Wildcats came out firing in the second quarter to draw within three points at the main break.
The home side’s momentum was not halted by the long change as they slammed home five goals to three.
The Wildcats turned a first term 25-point deficit into a 10-point lead at the final change of ends before going on to win the game by 17 points.
Bois/Briag v Churchill
CHURCHILL proved too strong for Boisdale/Briagolong in a comfortable 13-goal away victory.
The Cougars came out firing in the second quarter with six goals to two to take a six goal lead into the long change.
In the third quarter the visitor, through Brad Knowles and Tim Darby – who finished the contest with five and four goals respectively – inflicted further damage on the scoreboard and extended the lead to 70 points at the final change.
Churchill midfielder Chris Williams was sublime in a best on ground performance.
Experienced campaigner Travis Brighton continued his impressive start to the season leading from the front, while Knowles was at his dangerous best in front of goals.
The Bombers toiled hard but struggled to match it on the scoreboard with their higher ranked opponents.
