Bloods win high-scoring clash at Castlemaine
SOUTH Bendigo fought on to win a high-scoring clash at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve in Saturday’s 15th round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Bloods and Magpies played one of the best matches of the season in the Magpies’ nest.
As South Bendigo rolls towards a finals campaign Castlemaine had plenty of pride to play for before its home fans.
Castlemaine’s pressure across all four quarters was outstanding.
The Michael Hartley-coached Magpies led 33-32 at quarter-time and 61-51 by the long break.
Term three began with a goal by South Bendigo’s Anthony Zimmerman, but the Magpeis replied through Saxon Sieber-Hogg.
The classy Steven Stroobants was on target for the Bloods.
Again the Magpies responded to the challenge as Brodie Byrne goaled.
Goals by Alexander Smith and then another by Bloods’ co-coach Jack Fallon put the visitors up 76-75.
Castlemaine regained the lead with a goal at 90 seconds to play in the term.
When Stroobants slotted another goal it was 83-all in the fourth.
Fallon was on target again before Byrne put the Magpies back within a point.
Bloods’ midfielder Jasper Langley goaled in the 13th minute.
When Byrne slotted his third goal it was 96-all at 10 ½ minutes to go.
Another of South Bendigo’s exciting young talents, Chase Poyser goaled for the Bloods to lead again.
Castlemaine hit back with a major for scores to be locked on 102-all at just under six minutes to go.
Alex Smith goaled for the red and white.
The Magpies kept attacking but could register just two behinds.
At the final siren the Bloods led 108-104.
Stroobants led South Bendigo’s attack on four goals as Jack Fallon, Brock Harvey, Jasper Langley, Alex Smith and Anthony Zimmerman kicked two each.
Leading goalkickr for the Magpies was Harrison Sheahan on four.
Brodie Byrne capped a fine match with three goals as Jack Chester and Kalan Huntly booted two majors.
Best for South Bendigo were Jack Fallon, James Davies, Steven Stroobants, Hayden Geddes, Jake Rusbridge and Chase Poyser.
The Bloods also have Troy Coates as non-playing co-coach.
Castlemaine’s best were on-baller Ryan Eyre, Harrison Sheahan, ruckman Patrik Balta, Brodie Byrne, Darby Semmens and Kalan Huntly.
At Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve the Bulldogs again withstood a spirited challenge from Strathfieldsaye to win by 17 points.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 22-9 at quarter-time.
Storm fired up to win the second term, 21-8 as scores were locked on 30-all at half-time.
Quarter three kicked off with a goal by Gisborne’s Harry Luxmoore.
Storm struck back as Ned Hayes was on target.
A run of three consecutive goals in which Dylan Johnstone, Campbell Johns and Pat McKenna capped fine team play meant Gisborne led 56-37 at three quarter-time.
The Luke Freeman-coached Storm drew within five points at 7 ½ minutes to go after a hat-trick of goals.
It was Gisborne which responded to the challenge with goals by James Gray and Matt Merrett to seal a 73-56 victory.
Harry Luxmoore and Matt Merrett led the Bulldogs’ attack on two goals.
Storm’s leading goalkickers were Jed Brereton and Tyce Griffin on two.
Best for Gisborne were Zach Vescovi in defence, Brad Bernacki, captain Jack Reaper, James Gray, Lachlan Evans and Dylan Johnstone.
Storm’s best were Charles Dole, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Bode Stevens, Zach Charles, Patrick Blandford and Cooper Jones.
After an evenly-fought first term, Sandhurst took control on Golden Square’s ground in Wade Street.
Sandhurst led 32-22 at quarter-time.
In the second the Dragons upped the pressure and run.
The reigning premier scored five goals in the second and kept the Bulldogs to a tally of three points.
The Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square worked hard to win the third term, 15-10.
Injuries kept mounting up for the Bulldogs as the match went on and they became a telling factor.
Sandhurst slammed on seven goals in the last to run out 119-42 victors.
Dragons’ co-captain Fergus Greene and Lachie Hood led the attack on four and three goals.
Other multiple goalkickers were Jacob Austin, Oliver Morris and co-coach Lachlan Tardrew on two each.
The Bulldogs had five individual goalkickers.
Best for a Sandhurst team which also has Bryce Curnow as playing coach were Lachlan Tardrew, co-captain Cooper Smith, Oliver Morris, Jacob Austin, Tanner Nally and James Coghlan.
Golden Square’s best were Jack Stewart, Terence Reeves, Zach Shelton, Luke Holt, Noah Warfe and Daniel Keating.
At Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park it was the Roos who made a flying start with goals by Zach Rouse and Sam Barnes less than 3 ½ minutes into the match.
They were to be the Roos last goals of the match as the Hawks went on to score 19 unanswered goals.
A Pala Kuma goal put the Hawks up 17-16 late in the first term.
From there the Two Blues dominated play.
Eaglehawk scored five goals in the second and matched that tally in the third.
Led by the play of Ben Thompson, Bailey Ilsley in the ruck, and Joel Mullen, Eaglehawk added 7.7 in the last term to complete a 134-17 victory.
Ben Thompson kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance as Jack O’Shannessy booted four goals.
Pala Kuma, Tyson Taylor and Jack Thompson all slotted two goals for the Hawks.
Best for Eaglehawk included Nick Hoare, Jack O’Shannessy and on-baller Joel Budarick.
The Hawks are co-coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes.
Was another tough hit-out for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat.
Best for the Kangaroos were ruckman Angus Macpherson, Zach Bird, Tyran Farmer, Xavier Coghill, Campbell Smith and Jay Newman.
The 16th and final round in the home-and-away series will be played this Saturday.
Match of the day will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval where Sandhurst takes on Gisborne from 2.20pm.
Another big game will be at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane where the fifth-placed Storm faces the sixth-placed Golden Square.
Storm starts the match a win and more than 12 per cent clear of the Bulldogs.
Eaglehawk and Castlemaine meet in another battle of the birds at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
South Bendigo will be back on its turf at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street to play Kangaroo Flat.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder after 15 rounds:
Sandhurst 220 per cent, 52 points; Gisborne 141, 48; Eaglehawk 174, 44; South Bendigo 127, 40; Strathfieldsaye 87, 24; Golden Square 75, 20; Castlemaine 73, 12; Kangaroo Flat 29, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
43 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
34 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
33 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
33 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
33 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
32 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
31 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
23 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
23 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.
23 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
22 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
20 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
20 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
19 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
18 Clayton Holmes, Eaglehawk.
18 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
17 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
17 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
17 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
16 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
16 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
15 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Cooper Jones, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
13 Sam Barnes, Kangaroo Flat.
13 Xavier Carter, Golden Square.
13 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
13 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
13 James Gray, Gisborne.
13 Nick Lang, Kangaroo Flat.
13 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.
13 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.