Gregor Mactaggart
TRARALGON Tyers United survived a late rally from Rosedale to record a thrilling seven-point win on Saturday.
The Bombers led at every change on the way to the thrilling 10.8 (68) to 8.13 (61) triumph.
TTU set the tone in the first half, skipping out to a handy two-goal advantage at half-time thanks in good part to the work of prime movers Mitch Mustoe and Kieran Jones.
Rosedale worked its way back in the contest during the third term and will rue not getting enough reward for its dominance of the quarter.
The Blues booted 2.6 to TTU’s 2.0 and instead of going into the final change with a lead, still trailed by a goal.
It would prove decisive following a tense, tough last quarter where the sides traded one goal apiece.
Hayden Willaton, Jayden Cutts and Jye Neilson each snagged two goals for the victorious Bombers, who were best-served by Mustoe, Jones, the reliable Justin Barnes and Justin Savige.
Sam Bristow was a standout in a losing cause for Rosedale, who’s best also included Jake Suter, Joel Bristow and Luke Stuckey.
Dale Fleming and Frazer Brouns were the multiple goalkickers for the Blues with two apiece.
Heyfield v Cowwarr
HOME side Heyfield produced a scintillating final quarter to shake off a determined Cowwarr by 36 points.
The contest was up for grabs at three-quarter time with the Roos holding a 10-point lead.
Despite a brave challenge from the Saints, Heyfield found the extra gear when it mattered most and booted four unanswered goals in the last term for a 12.9 (81) to 7.3 (45) victory.
Brayden Woodland and Tom Marchesi featured prominently, earning the nod as the Roos’ best two players.
Four Heyfield players finished with two goals apiece in Jordan Stubbe, Liam Heasley, Daniel Burton and James Beha.
Cowwarr duo Brad McBride and Shane Morgan each booted three majors for the Saints, who named Jack Casson, Brett Grieve, Chris Di Stefano and Michael Bloss as their best players.
Woodside v Glengarry
NORTHERN Territory talent Kim Kantilla played a starring role as Woodside scored a commanding 92-point win against Glengarry.
Kantilla, who played for Waratahs in the NTFL competition, finished with five goals as the Wildcats prevailed 17.17 (119) to 4.3 (27).
The skilful forward proved a constant thorn to the Magpies’ backline.
Woodside had the game in its keeping by quarter-time, skipping out to a 25-point lead and would extend that advantage at every change.
Kantilla was named as the second best player for the Wildcats behind the impressive Tom Jessup, while Josh Kennedy and Ben Johnson also featured among the multitude of fine performers.
Woodside had nine different individual goalkickers, headlined by Kantilla’s five and three from Chris Witchell.
Glengarry played well in patches, but failed to maintain that consistency for long enough.
The Magpies were best-served by Michael Ryan, Ben Britten and Hayden Busk.
Gormandale v Sale City
SALE City flew to top spot after Round 1 thanks to a 77-point win on the road at Gormandale.
The Bulldogs made sure the new-look Tigers had no time to settle, racing to a 47-point lead at the first change.
From there, much of the sting went out of the contest as Sale City sealed a comfortable 13.18 (96) to 2.7 (19) success.
Lachlan Carman led all comers with four majors and Justin McLay bobbed up with two.
Jaxsyn Whitehill was in the thick of the action for the Bulldogs and got the nod as best-on-ground from Kerrod Macgregor-Davies and Mitch Evans.
The result was the perfect start for new Sale City coach Shane Fyfe, who won plenty of the footy himself.
For Gormandale, the opening term proved costly, but they battled hard until the final siren.
Mitchell Harris, Jack Burgess, Luke Mackay and Mitchell Jones worked hard in a losing cause.
Churchill had the bye, while Yallourn-Yallourn North opened the season with a 38-point win against Yarram on Good Friday.
