Sport

Wildcats ready for Heyfield showdown

by Deborah Lucas

Published September 04, 2026

Wildcats ready for Heyfield showdown — Woodside Coach Hudson Holmes shuffles the magnets to get the best out of his side in their elimination match against YYN

WOODSIDE and Heyfield will meet for the fourth time this season when they battle for a place in the North Gippsland Football Netball League grand final.

The preliminary final will be held at Churchill and shapes as another close contest between two sides that know each other well.

Woodside won their opening encounter of the season before Heyfield turned the tables in their second meeting. The Kangaroos then claimed a thrilling two-point victory when the teams met in the qualifying final.

Heyfield led from start to finish that day, holding Woodside scoreless in the opening quarter before taking a 28-24 advantage into half-time.

The Kangaroos stretched the margin to 20 points by three-quarter time, but the Wildcats refused to surrender. Woodside produced five goals in the final term and nearly snatched the match before Heyfield held on to win 8.9 (57) to 7.13 (55).

Rowan Missen, Robert Michaelides, Luke Johnson, Jeremy Morgan, Thomas King and Adam Janssen were among Woodside’s best.

Mitchell Bennett, Daniel Bedggood, Jack Christian, Tyler Anderson, Tyson Birss and Brayden Woodland led the way for Heyfield.

Woodside has made two changes for the preliminary final, bringing James Mattern and Cooper Ryan into the side. Thomas King and Cooper Earles have been omitted.

King’s absence will be significant after he was named among the Wildcats’ best in the qualifying final.

Mattern, however, earns his opportunity after producing strong form in the reserves and will be eager to make an impact on his return to the senior side.

Heyfield has also made two changes, with Dylan Patmore and Caleb Ronan replacing Brandan Manson and Thomas Marchesi.

The opening quarter could prove decisive. Woodside’s slow start ultimately cost it in the qualifying final, while its five-goal final term showed the Wildcats can trouble Heyfield when they move the ball quickly and take their opportunities.

Woodside will need to contain Heyfield’s dangerous forwards and improve its accuracy after registering 20 scoring shots to Heyfield’s 17 in their previous meeting.

With only two points separating the sides last time, another tight and physical encounter appears likely.

Prediction: Woodside by five points.

The Wildcats enter the contest with momentum, winning their elimination final against YYN with a polished performance and should benefit from the lessons of their narrow qualifying final defeat. Heyfield on the other hand had a brutal battle against Cowwarr, leading for most of the day only to be overrun in the final quarter.

If Woodside can start strongly, they can reverse the result and book a place in the grand final.

Woodside reserves will take on Cowwarr

The last time these two teams meet it was a nail biter. This game is shaping as another.

Woodside will be without James Mattern who has been called up for senior duty after some great performances in the elimination and first semi-finals. Cooper Earles and Archie Francis are also inclusions.

Woodside supporters will be out in force to try and get their team over the line.