WOODSIDE’S hopes of advancing directly to the second semi-final were dashed in heartbreaking fashion when Heyfield held on for a thrilling two-point qualifying final victory.

The Kangaroos prevailed 8.9 (57) to 7.13 (55), surviving a desperate final-quarter charge from the Wildcats, who had the wind at their backs but could not quite complete the comeback.

Heyfield made the most of the breeze in the opening term, kicking 2.3 while holding Woodside scoreless to establish a 15-point quarter-time advantage.

The Wildcats found their feet in the second quarter, producing 3.6 to close within four points at the main break, although their inaccuracy threatened to prove costly.

Heyfield regained control after half-time, adding 2.4 while again preventing Woodside from troubling the scoreboard.

With the Kangaroos holding a 20-point lead at three-quarter time, the Wildcats faced a significant challenge, but the favourable breeze offered genuine hope of a comeback.

Woodside attacked relentlessly in the final term, kicking 4.7 as the pressure intensified. However, Heyfield’s ability to add two crucial goals against the wind ultimately proved decisive.

The Wildcats finished with 20 scoring shots to Heyfield’s 17, but their return of 7.13 left them lamenting opportunities that might have changed the result.

While Rowan Missen was named Woodside’s best player, many watching from the sidelines believed Riley Denovan deserved considerable recognition for holding the Wildcats’ backline together as Heyfield repeatedly pressed forward.

Missen’s opponent for much of the afternoon, Brown, did not kick a goal himself but played a hand in at least three, highlighting his influence on the contest.

Robert Michaelides, Luke Johnson, Jeremy Morgan, Thomas King and Adam Janssen also featured among Woodside’s best players.

Coach Hudson Holmes kicked two goals, with Zac Richards, Michael O’Sullivan, Johnson and Matt Dyke also hitting the scoreboard.

Mitchell Bennett led Heyfield’s best, supported by Daniel Bedggood, Jack Christian, Tyler Anderson, Tyson Birss and Brayden Woodland.

Birss, Kyle Graham and Finn Stephenson each contributed two goals in a tense finals encounter that could have gone either way.

Heyfield progress to the second semi final at Yarram, while Woodside face the winner of YYN and Rosedale in the first semi final at TTU

In the reserves Heyfield thrashed YYN 133 to 7 and in the thirds Heyfield prevailed over Sale City 77 to 69.