North Gippsland FNL Round 15 review

League leaders Churchill overcame a slow start and wayward kicking on goal to put Rosedale to bed with a 25-point win at the weekend, 10.20 (80) to 7.13 (55).

The Cougars couldn’t catch a break in the first term and came into the first break with no reward and six behinds from as many scoring shots to the Blues’ two goals and three behinds.

They found the goals in the second and kicked six majors to the Blues’ two to overturn the deficit and snatch a 17-point advantage at half-time.

Churchill’s lead was cut back marginally to 16 points at the last change before a two-goal-to-one closing quarter helped them run out winners.

Blake Slater proved the difference and finished with five goals for the Cougars.

Brendan Holt kicked two and singles went to Lucas Towns, Noash Deubel and Ben Kearns.

Among the best for Churchill in the win were Slater, coach Chris Williams, Brendan Mason and Jordan Fenech

Heyfield moved into third place on the North Gippsland football ladder with a 84-point win over Sale City on Saturday.

The Kangaroos kicked 11 goals to five in the second half to win 19.15 (129) to 7.3 (45) at home. The Kangaroos should secure a finals berth with one more win.

Despite the loss, Sale City remains in sixth place, still four points outside the top five. But with three matches against top five teams to finish the home-and-away season, the Bulldogs have a tough fight to make the finals.

Jack Woodland, Adam Wallace and Sam Shingles helped the Kangaroos control proceedings in the midfield. In attack, Nick Woodland kicked six goals, and Joel Dinsdale and Jesse Jackway four each.

At the other end, Scott Anderson and Brad Berry made life difficult for the City forwards.

Both teams kicked two goals in the first quarter, but the Kangaroos led at the break thanks to the four behinds kicked.

Heyfield kicked six goals to two in the second term to take a 30-point lead into half-time.

The match was taken away from the Bulldogs when the home side kicked four goals to one in the third quarter to stretch its advantage to 52 points by the final change of ends.

The Kangaroos added seven goals to two in the fourth term.

Ben Chivers toiled hard for the Bulldogs in the midfield, along with ruckman Elliot Hunt.

Forwards Zach Matlock and Bohdi Walker (who kicked three goals) made good contributions, while the efforts of Troy Carstairs and Tom Bowman in defence were commendable.

Traralgon-Tyers United coach Michael Duncan had the ball on a string for his side during one of their most convincing wins for the season on Saturday, booting 12 goals to bury Glengarry, 29.16 (190) to 1.3 (9).

The luckless Magpies could only watch as the Bombers romped home to their fourth consecutive win, managing just one goal for the day which came in the first quarter.

TTU had 14 goals to half-time and added another 15 in the second half in a goal-kicking clinic.

In his first game of the Bombers, boon mid-season recruit Harmit Singh got in on the action and kicked five goals.

Hayden Willaton booted four, Ricky Cochrane two and singles went to Luke Marriott, Hayden Leslie, Darcy Barnes, Ben White, Zach Kilgower and Jye Neilson.

Jordan Symons kicked Glengarry's only goal for the game.

Woodside killed off any faint hope Cowwarr had of making the finals with a 43-point win.

Out of finals contention themselves, the Wildcats posted their third win of the season, and second over the Saints, 15.6 (96) to 8.5 (53).

The Saints are in seventh place on the ladder, but four wins outside the top five with three rounds to play.

The Wildcats hit the ground running, kicking seven goals straight, while the Saints booted 4.1. The home side extended its 17-point quarter-time lead to 31 by the main break after kicking the only two goals of the second term.

The Wildcats put the result beyond doubt with a four-goal to one third quarter, before the Saints belatedly found some form in the fourth term, kicking three goals to two.

Coach Ryan Foat and best-on-ground Daniel Missen kicked four goals each for the Wildcats.

Thomas Pattle was best for the Saints, with Shane Morgan kicking three goals.

Yarram went through the motions in the biggest mismatch of round 15, surpassing the 200-point mark in their demolition of a winless Gormandale side, 31.24 (210) to 4.4 (28).

The 182-point win brings with it a welcome percentage boost for the Demons who sit in second spot with 13 wins, one off the pace of Churchill.

Jake McFarland enjoyed most of the spoils on goal for Yarram, finishing with eight goals.

Louis Rodaughan, Jacob Davis, Kayleb Pearce and Lukas Jenkins kicked three each while Griffin Underwood, Chris Bruns, Jack Moore and Jarryd Swift all nabbed two each.

Steven Burgess kicked two for Gormandale and singles went to Gavin Swan and Beau Williamson.

Among the best for the Demons were Bruns, McFarland, Underwood and Rodaughan.