Last-placed Calder stunned finals bound Eastern by 38 points at MC Labour Park.
The match was in the balance for three quarters but the Cannons blew Eastern away with a five goal to nil final term. Cannon Marcus White turned it on booting six goals in a best a field display and had good support from Shaun McKernan (26 disposals and eight marks) and Dylan Joyce (31 disposals). For Eastern, Jordan Gysberts worked tirelessly for 19 possessions and nine tackles.
Gippsland bounced back to record an eight-point win over improvers Sandringham. The Dragons pressed hard in the last quarter and could have pinched the game if not for inaccurate kicking. Power rover Jarryd Blair orchestrated the win with 30 disposals including eight clearances. Dragon Thomas Lynch tried everything to lift his side across the line, gathering 31 touches and 13 marks.
Western had too much strike power for Bendigo, running out 19-point winners at home. Mitchell Banner kicked four goals and Jack Sims booted three goals for the Jets. The Pioneers were best served by rover Lee Coghlan, who racked up 30 touches.
In the top two battle at Wangaratta, competition pacesetter Murray defeated Dandenong by 38 points. Bushranger Jack Ziebell was the difference as he pulled down six contested marks and booted six goals. Dandenong wingman Tom Scully was again impressive with 27 touches, 11 tackles and a goal.
At Skilled Stadium, the Rebels held on by a solitary point to defeat Geelong. North Ballarat clawed its way back from the brink and managed to sink the Falcons, despite a wayward one goal and six behind final term. Defender Oliver Tate held firm in the dying moments for the Rebels while Geelong ruck rover Chris Lynch valiantly tried to will the Falcons over the line.
Oakleigh escaped with a seven-point win over Northern. The Knights never gave up and had a strong target in full-forward Michael Still (five goals). But Oakleigh’s class prevailed with ruckman Zachary Clarke gifting runners Xavier Gotch and Luke Shuey plenty of the football.
In Saturday’s crucial matches, Gippsland Power travels to Golden Square to meet the Bendigo Pioneers, North Ballarat is home to the Northern Knights, Eastern Ranges meet the Murray Bushrangers in a top eight battle at Box Hill. Sunday, Dandenong Stingrays can hold on to second spot with a win over the Sandringham Dragons at Shepley Oval, the fourth-placed Geelong Falcons in a finals warm-up at Burbank Oval and Oakleigh Chargers face the Calder Cannons Western Jets meet the fifth-placed at Warrawee Park.
The TAC Cup Grand Final will be played on Friday, September 26 at Telstra Dome.
Last Modified on 27/01/2009 12:10