BY NATHAN DOLE
Dramatic finishes to several finals matches
WINS by a point and three points and a point were among a great start to last weekend’s Bendigo Bank Bendigo Junior Football League finals action.
The La Trobe University Bendigo-backed finals series kicked off with play at Mercy Junortoun, Harry Trott Oval in Kennington, Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park, and Marist College in Maiden Gully.
Closest result of the weekend was the under-12D first semi-final between Mount Pleasant and South Bendigo (2) at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
The Mounts line-up led 15-13 at half-time before the young Bloods scored 2.3 to 1.1 in the third.
South Bendigo led by a goal going into the final term.
Although the Blues won the last, 13-8, it was South Bendigo which held on for a 36-35 victory.
The under-12C first semi-final ended in a 21-18 victory for Strathfieldsaye against Eaglehawk Hawks.
Storm led 8-1 at half-time of the match at Marist College in Maiden Gully.
Eaglehawk hit back to win the third quarter, 9-7.
Both teams scored a goal in the last as Strathfieldsaye moved through to a preliminary final to be played on September 8.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles were in top form in the under-12A first semi-final played against South Bendigo at Marist College.
The Eagles won 61-8 as Jagger Benaim and Dayne Stone kicked three goals.
In the under-12B competition, Huntly marked a 38-nil win against Maryborough at Harry Trott Oval.
Best for the Hawks were Kyan Manson, Isaac Plant and Riley Stevens.
In Friday night’s play the under-12 Girls elimination and qualifying finals were played at Mercy Junortoun Sports Precinct.
Golden Square scored a 51-point victory against Mount Pleasant in the elimination final.
The blue and gold led 40-2 at half-time.
It was a much closer contest in the second half as Golden Square added 4.3 and Mount Pleasant kicked 2.2.
At the final siren Golden Square led 67-16.
The qualifying final went the way of St Francis Blue against White Hills.
A four-goal victory has put St Francis into this Friday’s second semi-final against St Therese’s.
It was Strathfieldsaye against Eaglehawk in the under-14 seniors first semi-final at Harry Trott Oval on Sunday.
Storm led 28-2 at quarter-time and 49-20 by the long break.
Just the one goal was added by Strathfieldsaye as it kept the Hawks scoreless in the second half.
Rochester outpointed Castlemaine in the first semi-final for under-14 reserves, division one in Kangaroo Flat.
The Tigers led 25-13 at quarter-time and then scored 4.2 as they kept the Magpies scoreless in the second quarter.
Makore Dickinson went on to kick five goals as Mason Mundie and Harry Rasmussen added three each in a 103-29 victory for the yellow and black.
Marong marked a 77-point win against Maiden Gully YCW in the under-14 reserves, division two first semi-final at Marist College.
The Panthers charged to a 45-14 lead by half-time and did not let up.
Hudson Schneider led the attack on four goals as Marong won 98-21.
White Hills faced Heathcote in the first semi-final for under-14 reserves, division three at Dower Park.
The Demons led 27-6 at quarter-time and 52-8 by half-time.
The Saints from Heathcote fought on to score 2.6 in the third as the Demons added three goals.
At the final siren White Hills led 95-28.
Darcy Mullen kicked five goasl for the red and black as Ethan McDonnell added three.
Goalkicking accuracy was a highlight of the under-15 Girls seniors first semi-final between White Hills and Eaglehawk on Sunday at Marist College.
White Hills kicked four goals straight and Eaglehawk kicked two goals straight.
A 24-12 victory put White Hills into the preliminary final on September 8 where the Demons will meet Sandhurst or Strathfieldsaye.
The first semi-final of the under-15 Girls reserves competition ended in a nine-goal win for Strathfieldsaye against Golden Square.
Storm won 66-12 in Sunday’s match at Marist College.
Kirra Molloy and Emily Neave both kicked four goals.
South Bendigo capitalised on home-ground advantage at Harry Trott Oval to win the under-16 seniors first semi against Maryborough.
The Bloods charged to a 33-6 lead by half-time.
Highest scoring quarter was the third in which South Bendigo added 5.4 and Maryborough scored 2.4.
Led by the play of Louis Eddy, Harry Purcell and Henry Turnbull the Bloods kicked on for an 84-35 victory.
Strathfieldsaye dominated the under-16 reserves, division one clash with Lockington Bamawm United.
Storm surged to a 47-point lead by quarter-time as it scored 7.5.
Across the next two terms, Strathfieldsaye added 8.4 and 6.6.
There were 13 goals for Storm in a 167-14 victory.
Strathfieldsaye’s attack was led by Nathan Jones-Stibbe on five goals as Lucas Sharam added four majors.
The first and second semi-finals for under-16 reserves, division two will be played this Sunday at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills.
Scoreboard from week one in the Bendigo JFL finals series sponsored by La Trobe University Bendigo:
Under-12 Girls:
Elimination final:
Golden Square 9.13 (67) d Mount Pleasant 2.4 (16).
GOALS – Golden Square: Willow Dellar 5, Preslee Burton 4. Mount Pleasant: Isabella Drake, Sydney Ticehurst.
BEST – Golden Square: not supplied. Mount Pleasant: Baylee Lampard, Eliza Carmody, Evie Kristiansen, Ruby Reid, Lily Doak, Drew Browne.
Qualifying final:
St Francis Blue 3.13 (31) d White Hills 1.1 (7)
GOALS – St Francis Blue: not supplied. White Hills: Sahrii Alford.
BEST – St Francis Blue: Zara Grieve, Macey Nielsen, Emmalene Pollock, Cammie Fitzgerald, Colbie O’Bree, Maggie Millar. White Hills: Amber Morley, Shay Pearce, Darci Boyd, Sahrii Alford, Alexys Higgins, Katelyn Moulday.
Under-12A:
First semi-final:
Maiden Gully YCW 10.1 (61) d South Bendigo 1.2 (8).
GOALS – Maiden Gully YCW: Jagger Benaim, Dayne Stone 3, Ryder Cavalier, Ashton Hutton, Riley Muir, William Waters. South Bendigo: Patrick Ingram.
BEST – Maiden Gully YCW: Riley Muir, William Waters, Jagger Benaim, Lachlan Brown, Marcus Thomas, Jimmy Brown. South Bendigo: Hadley Galea, Cael White, Charles Kochar, Finn Cullen, Charles Kemp, Duke Thurgood.
Under-12B:
First semi-final:
Huntly 5.8 (38) d Maryborough 0.0 (0).
GOALS – Huntly: not supplied.
BEST – Huntly: Kyan Manson, Isaac Plant, Riley Stevens, Nash Campbell, Mitchell Fahy, Hugo Marwood. Maryborough: Xavier Brasser, William Smith, Maddox Stevens, Jakobi Wills, Hardy Heathcock, Noah Thomson.
Under-12C:
First semi-final:
Strathfieldsaye 3.3 (21) d Eaglehawk Hawks 2.6 (18).
GOALS – Strathfieldsaye William Martin, Raven Menzel, Jaxon Smith. Eaglehawk Hawks: Cage Alderton, Alfie Hinton.
BEST – Strathfieldsaye: Teddy Taylor, Raven Menzel, William Martin, Jackson Brasher, Nathaniel Hodgskiss, Harper Cregan. Eaglehawk Hawks: not supplied.
Under-12D:
First semi-final:
South Bendigo (2) 5.6 (36) d Mount Pleasant 5.5 (35).
GOALS – South Bendigo (2): Calvin Jones-Moore 2, Archie Clarke, Hunter Clementson, Max McClure. Mount Pleasant: Rhys Truscott 2, Jack Beard, Kirby Black, Zac Kellett.
BEST – South Bendigo (2): Calvin Jones-Moore, Ben Baker, Hunter Clementson, Koban Meloury, Hamish Hibbs, Max McClure. Mount Pleasant: Hudson Browne, Rhys Truscott, Jackson Roberts, Brock Checkley, Max McKean, Kirby Black.
Under-12E:
First semi-final:
Eaglehawk Two Blues 8.8 (56) d Strathfieldsaye 4.3 (27).
GOALS – Eaglehawk Two Blues: Xavier Rayner 4, Cooper Fitzpatrick, Koby Shelton, Harrison Taylor (only names supplied). Strathfieldsaye: Patrick Harvey 3, Willis Mannix.
BEST – Eaglehawk Two Blues: Jackson Nowell, Abe Rayner, Harrison Taylor, Xavier Rayner, Seth Pilcher. Strathfieldsaye: Landon Nankervis, Willis Mannix, Xander Janse van Rensburg, Patrick Harvey, Lenny Young, Oliver Carlile.
Under-14 seniors:
First semi-final:
Strathfieldsaye 8.7 (55) d Eaglehawk 3.2 (20).
GOALS – Strathfieldsaye: not supplied. Eaglehawk: not supplied.
BEST – Strathfieldsaye: not supplied. Eaglehawk: not supplied.
Under-14 reserves, division one:
First semi-final:
Rochester 15.13 (103) d Castlemaine 4.5 (29).
GOALS – Rochester: Makore Dickinson 5, Mason Mundie, Harry Rasmussen 3, Harvey Keating 2, Declan Carmichael, Asher Rasmussen. Castlemaine: Ted Cordy 2, Charlie Cordy, Max Morgan.
BEST – Rochester: not supplied. Castlemaine: Charlie Cordy, Louis Parsons, Abraham Harrrington, Ted Cordy, Angus Fitzgerald, Declan Brasher.
Under-14 reserves, division two:
First semi-final:
Marong 14.14 (98) d Maiden Gully YCW 3.3 (21).
GOALS – Marong: Hudson Schneider 4, Lachlan Bennett, Ash Curnow, Indie Gardam 2, Jyleigh Bradley, William Hope, Harvey Humme, Jack Metherell. Maiden Gully YCW: Patterson Murphy 2, Koby Wilson.
BEST – Marong: Jack Metherell, Cooper Bray, Indie Gardam, Lachlan Bennett, William Hope, Finn Neivandt. Maiden Gully YCW: Zac Cavalier, Callum McGee, Nash James, Noah Lowry, William Scoble, Sam Makepeace.
Under-14 reserves, division three:
First semi-final:
White Hills 15.5 (95) d Heathcote 3.10 (28).
GOALS – White Hills: Darcy Mullen 5, Ethan McDonnell 3, Tasman Bell, Tamati McLarty 2, Alex Hilson, Bowden Murley, Jack Newton. Heathcote: Isaac Pianta-Cook 2, Jack Brooke.
BEST – White Hills: not supplied. Heathcote: Seth Abela, Isaac Miller, Tyson Byrne, Ethan Longson, Hudson Pianta-Cook.
Under-15 Girls, seniors:
First semi-final:
White Hills 4.0 (24) d Eaglehawk 2.0 (12).
GOALS – White Hills: not supplied. Eaglehawk: not supplied.
BEST – White Hills: not supplied. Eaglehawk: not supplied.
Under-15 Girls, reserves:
Strathfieldsaye 10.6 (66) d Golden Square 1.6 (12).
GOALS – Strathfieldsaye: Kirra Molloy, Emily Neave 4, Lily Hearps, Forest Jackson-Leahy. Golden Square: Yakira McKenzie.
BEST – Strathfieldsaye: Kirra Molloy, Zarah Peel, Amy Scott, Emily Neave, Lily Hearps, Lahni Tyrrell. Golden Square: Maliha Dean, Matilda Smith, Yakira McKenzie, Jesscia Harley, Olivia Archer, Zoe Cahill.
Under-16 seniors:
First semi-final:
South Bendigo 11.18 (84) d Maryborough 5.5 (35).
GOALS – South Bendigo: Sonny Cluff, Harry Purcell, Henry Turnbull 2, Jack Bell, Anthony Gray, Sebastian Gray, Maysen Pettersen, Aydin Price. Maryborough: Dechlan Bridges 2, Logan Howell, Elliot Cullinan.
BEST – South Bendigo: Louis Eddy, Harry Purcell, Henry Turnbull, Sonny Cluff, Sam Bardsley, Maysen Pettersen. Maryborough: Zac Cicchini, William Soulsby, Lachlan Condie, Joshua Tull, Jasper Trickey, Nash Fraser.
Under-16 reserves, division one:
First semi-final:
Strathfieldsaye 25.17 (167) d Lockington Bamawm United Cats 2.2 (14).
GOALS – Strathfieldsaye: Nathan Jones-Stibbe 5, Lucas Sharam 4, Mannix Grieve 3, Flynn Maddren, Owen Perry, Samuel Whitford 2, Ned Browell, Charlie Harrop, Coby Hilson, Kaleb Hodgskiss, Benjamin Jorgensen, Tyson Turner, Kallen Villani. Lockington Bamawm United Cats: Aziyah Gibson, Campbell Keele.
Schedule for Friday’s matches at Fur Life Oval, Wade Street, Golden Square:
Under-12 Girls:
First semi-final at 5.30pm: White Hills v Golden Square.
Second semi-final at 6.30pm: St Therese’s v St Francis Blue.
Schedule for Sunday’s matches at Bendigo Club Oval, Atkins Street, North Bendigo:
Under-12E:
Second semi-final at 9am: North Bendigo Red v Maiden Gully YCW.
Under-12A:
Second semi-final at 10.20am: St Therese’s v St Francis.
Under-14 reserves, division two:
Second semi-final at 11.40am: Maryborough v Huntly.
Under-16 reserves, division one:
Second semi-final at 1.25pm: Castlemaine v Huntly.
Under-16 reserves, division two:
Second semi-final at 3.10pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.
Schedule for Sunday’s matches at Winslow Constructors Oval, Scott Street, White Hills:
Under-12B:
Second semi-final at 9am: Eaglehawk Eagles v White Hills Black.
Under-14 reserves, division one:
Second semi-final at 10.20am: White Hills v Kangaroo Flat.
Under-15 Girls, reserves:
Second semi-final at 12.05pm: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.
Under-15 Girls, seniors:
Second semi-final at 1.25pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.
Schedule for Sunday’s matches at Fur Life Oval, Wade Street, Golden Square:
Under-12D:
Second semi-final at 9am: South Bendigo (3) v St Monica’s.
Under-12C:
Second semi-final at 10.20am: Golden Square v Maiden Gully YCW.
Under-14 seniors:
Second semi-final at 11.40am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
Under-16 seniors:
Second semi-final at 1.25pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.
Under-14 reserves, division three:
Second semi-final at 3.10pm: Golden Square v North Bendigo.