BY NATHAN DOLE
Gisborne ends Storm’s unbeaten run
GISBORNE broke Strathfieldsaye Storm’s unbeaten run in Saturday’s seventh round of senior footy action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Gisborne Bulldogs were on home turf at Gardiner Reserve to tackle an in-form Storm as the league marked Indigenous Round.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs charged to a 32-12 lead by quarter-time.
In the second it was Storm which seized control.
With James Schisckha starring in attack, Strathfieldsaye scored 5.2 to 3.4 in the second to be within 10 points at half-time.
Quarter three was when Gisborne broke the game wide open.
The Bulldogs added 5.4 and lifted defensive intensity to limit Storm to a tally of two goals.
The Luke Freeman-coached Storm fought on to win the last term, 26-22, but it was Gisborne which marked a 110-82 victory.
Pat McKenna and Harry Luxmoore led the Bulldogs’ attack on three goals as Brad Bernacki, Zac Denahy and Harry Thomas added two each.
Storm’s leading goalkicker was James Schischka on seven as Matt Harvey and Joel Reinheimer chipped in with two.
Best for Gisborne were Jack Scanlon, ruckman Braidon Blake, Brad Bernacki, Flynn Lakey, Pat McKennz and Frank Schipano.
James Schischka, Cooper Jones, Matt Harvey, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Caleb Sheahan and Patrick Blandford were Strathfieldsaye’s best.
At Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park the Wirama Shield was up for grabs as the Roos took on Castlemaine.
After victory in the stand-alone match against Maryborough on Good Friday, Castlemaine had endured a run of four consecutive defeats.
The Michael Hartley-coached Castlemaine charged to a 27-1 lead by quarter-time on the Kangaroos’ ground.
Kangaroo Flat bounced back to win the second term, 21-8.
The Magpies dominated most of the third term.
Led by the play of Jack Sutherland, Bailey Henderson and Zavier Murley, Castlemaine scored 5.5 to gain a 39-point lead going into the final term.
A high-scoring final quarter went the Magpies way, 37-33.
Zac Greeves kicked three goals as Michael Hartley, Bailey Henderson and Liam Wilkinson booted two each in a 107-64 victory for the Magpies.
Leading goalkickers for the Roos were Angus Grant and Harry Whitty on three each.
Castlemaine’s best included Kalan Huntly, Darby Semmens and Tyson Jackson.
Kyle Symons, Ethan Roberts, Luke Ellings, Jack Lefroy, Angus Grant and Connor Lee were best for the Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos.
Sandhurst’s hot streak kept rolling in a 12-goal victory against Eaglehawk at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
A closely-fought opening term went the way of the Dragons, 21-7.
In the second a Sandhurst line-up jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, scored 5.3 and kept the Borough to a goal.
The Dragons dominated most of the second half as they added 9.4 to 4.3 to complete a 112-40 victory.
Fergus Greene and Bryce Curnow kicked four and three goals as Harrison Free and Nick Stagg added two.
The Hawks’ attack was led by Jack O’Shannessy on three, and Jonty Neaves with two.
Sandhurst’s best were Cobi Maxted, Harrison Free, Lachlan Tardrew, Lachlan Wright, Zach Pallpratt and Isaac Ruff.
Oscar Madden, Jack O’Shannessy, Cameron McGlashan, Billy Evans, Blake McGregor and Zack Bulger played well for the Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk.
It was another tough afternoon for Maryborough on home turf at Princes Park against Golden Square.
As the club weighs up prospects beyond this season, Maryborough’s young team faced the blue and gold.
It was Golden Square which slammed on 8.8 and kept the Magpies scoreless in the opening term.
From there the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs scored five goals in the second quarter, eight in the third and six in the last.
Captain Jayden Burke finished with eight goals in a best on ground performance nd Jack Stewart added five in a 180-22 victory.
It was a big day for the Eaton family as Oliver kicked two goals in his senior debut and played alongside older brother Macey who also booted a goal.
Maryborough’s goalkickers were Robert Castiglia, co-coach Coby Perry and Tannar Santon.
Best for Golden Square were Jayden Burke, Tom Strauch, Zac Wescott, Jack Stewart, Jack Threlfall and Brodie James.
Coby Perry, Ash Humphrey, Kya Lanfranchi, Tom Myers, Alex Brown and Seb Collins were best in a Magpies line-up which is jointly coached by Coby Perry and Matt Johnston.
South Bendigo had the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 421 per cent, 24 points; Gisborne 249, 20; Strathfieldsaye 138, 20; Golden Square 120, 12; Eaglehawk 99, 12; Castlemaine 97, 8; South Bendigo 82, 8; Kangaroo Flat 59, 8; Maryborough 16, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s eighth round will be Strathfieldsaye against Sandhurst in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane from 2.20pm.
Castlemaine is back on home turf at Camp Reserve to tackle Gisborne.
Eaglehawk and Maryborough meet in the clash of the Hawks and Magpies at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Golden Square faces South Bendigo at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
33 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
32 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
26 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
25 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
23 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
20 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
19 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
16 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
14 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
13 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
13 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
12 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
12 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
11 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
11 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
10 Zach Greeves, Castlemaine.
10 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.