BY NATHAN DOLE
Hawks too strong for Storm at Canterbury Park
EAGLEHAWK marked a 10-goal victory against Strathfieldsaye Storm in Saturday’s 13th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
Fielding close to its best 22 all season, Eaglehawk hit back from a 21-point deficit at quarter-time to dominate the next three quarters.
The Travis Matheson-coached Hawks were goalless in the opening term, but then slammed on 6.6 to just two behinds in the second to gain a 19-point lead by the main break.
A closely-fought third term went the way of the Borough, 27-20.
Inspired by the play of Bailey Isley, Charlie Langford in defence and the hard-running Joel Mullen it was the Hawks who scored 5.3 to a tally of five behinds in the last.
At the siren the Two Blues led 111-51.
Although it’s still eight points behind Storm in the race to gain third place, Eaglehawk will have gained plenty of confidence from this contest.
The Hawks’ attack was led by Bailey Ilsley on five goals as Blake McGregor kicked three.
Thomas Bennett and Jack O’Shannessy also kicked two goals in the Hawks best win of the season so far.
Multiple goalkickers for Storm were Zach Charles and James Schischka on two.
Best for the Hawks included captain Billy Evans, Blake McGregor and Thomas Bennett.
Zach Charles, Charles Dole, Bode Stevens, Ethan Featherby, Tim Hosking and Shannon Geary were best for the Luke Freeman-coached Storm.
Golden Square moved two wins clear of Castlemaine after the Bulldogs dominated the clash with the Magpies at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
The Golden Square players wore black armbands in memory of long-time supporter and club volunteer Rod Fyffe who also served four terms as Mayor across a 38-year stint as a Councillor.
On the field it was the Dogs who made a brilliant start to the contest.
There was plenty at stake for both clubs.
Golden Square was determined to move clear of the sixth-placed Castlemaine, while the Magpies were in a fight to narrow the gap.
The Bulldogs slammed on 7.3 and held the Magpies to a tally of two points in the first term.
Another four goals as it kept the visitors to a goal in the second meant Golden Square held a 58-point lead by half-time.
Castlemaine fought back to win the third, 21-16, but the Dogs finished with plenty of run as they scored 4.3 to 2.3 in the last.
At the final siren the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs led 120-49.
A week after representing Bendigo against the Victorian AFA, Jack Stewart kicked five goals in a best afield performance for the Bulldogs.
Other multiple goalkickers for the blue and gold were Ricky Monti, three; Jayden Burke, Jordan Rosengren and Tanner Rayner on two.
There were no multiple goalkickers for the Magpies.
Best for Golden Square were Jack Stewart, Ricky Monti, Kai Daniels, Jack Sampson, Jordan Rosengren and Jayden Burke.
Zavier Murley, Darby Semmens, coach Michael Hartley, Callum McConachy, Will Moran and Archie Rixon were Castlemaine’s best.
South Bendigo capped a great fightback to beat Kangaroo Flat by seven points at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Bloods faced a 22-point deficit at quarter-time after the Roos scored 5.2 to 1.4 in the first term.
Forwards were well on top in the next quarter.
The Bloods fired up to slam on 7.6 as the accurate Roos added 5.1.
The Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos scored 3.2 to 3.5 in the third.
In a reversal of their previous encounter it was the Bloods who dominated the final term this time.
South Bendigo scored 5.2 to 3.5 in the last to complete a 113-106 victory.
Bloods’ co-coach Steven Stroobants led the attack on four goals as classy on-baller Brody Haddow added three and Matt McNaughton kicked two.
The Roos’ leading goalkicker was Jack Lefroy on three as Lachlan Dalziel, Xav Dingfelder-Hope, Luke Ellings and Harry Whitty booted two.
List of South Bendigo’s best was not supplied.
Best for Kangaroo Flat were Angus Grant, Jade Mayes, Xav Dingfelder-Hope, Toby and Ethan Roberts, and Luke Ellings.
A 10-goal haul by Harry Luxmoore was a highlight of Gisborne’s win at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
Gisborne led 63-18 at quarter-time.
Defences were well on top in the second as the Bulldogs scored 2.5 and the Magpies added a behind.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs slammed on eight goals in the third as the midfield and on-ball seized control.
Maryborough kept working hard and finished with eight goals in a match the Dogs won 169-51.
Luxmoore was the star of Gisborne’s attack on 10 as Brad Bernacki added four; Shane Clough and Jacob Floreani chipped in with three; and Dylan Johnstone added two.
The Magpies’ attack was led by co-coach Matt Johnston on four talented youngster Kaian Constable with three.
Bulldogs’ ruckman Braidon Blake marked his return after several weeks on the sidelines through concussion protocols to be best afield.
Harry Luxmoore, Flynn Lakey, Brad Bernacki, Matt Merrett and Jackson Cardillo also starred for the red, white and blue.
Magpies’ co-coach Coby Perry was best along with Aidan Medlyn, Joel Swatton, Kya Lanfranchi, Seb Collins and Kaian Constable.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 293 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 227, 36; Strathfieldsaye 155, 32; Eaglehawk 148, 24; Golden Square 127, 24; Castlemaine 103, 16; South Bendigo 71, 12; Kangaroo Flat 65, 12; Maryborough 15, 0.
In next Saturday’s 13th round, Castlemaine will be strengthened by the inclusion of St Kilda great Leigh ‘Joey’ Montagna as part of the Carlton Draft promotion to take on Eaglehawk at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Gisborne will be back on home turf at Gardiner Reserve to play South Bendigo.
Kangaroo Flat is up against long-time nemesis, Golden Square on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.
Sandhurst will meet Maryborough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
56 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
45 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
35 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
35 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
34 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
33 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
31 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
27 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
23 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
23 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
21 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
20 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.
20 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
18 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
17 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
15 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
13 Zac Greeves, Castlemaine.
13 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
12 Lachlan Gill, Strathfieldsaye.
12 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
11 Zach Charles, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Luke Ellings, Kangaroo Flat.
11 Bailey Ilsley, Eaglehawk.
11 Matt Johnston, Maryborough.
11 Jack Lefroy, Kangaroo Flat.
11 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
11 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
10 Ricky Monti, Golden Square.
10 Joel Mullen, Eaglehawk.
10 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
10 Mitchell Ronchieri, Eaglehawk.
10 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.