EAGLEHAWK has soared into another Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy grand final.
The Hawks take plenty of momentum into the decider after a dominant final quarter in Saturday’s preliminary final against Gisborne.
The Hawks led 58-51 going into the last term at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
At stake was a chance to meet reigning premier Sandhurst in the grand final for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.
The Hawks slammed on 4.3 and kept the Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs to a behind in the last term.
By the siren the fans of a Two Blues team coached by Travis Matheson, non-playing, and Clayton Holmes, playing, were celebrating an 85-52 victory.
Eaglehawk and Sandhurst will now clash in a senior footy grand final for the first time since 1953.
The preliminary final began with Gisborne first to goal through Matt Merrett.
Eaglehawk hit back as Joel Mullen was on target.
Bulldogs’ gun forward Pat McKenna kicked his first goal before the Hawks took a 29-16 lead after goals by Nick Hoare, Jack O’Shannessy and Nick Thompson.
Merrett was first to goal in the second term.
Eaglehawk captain Billy Evans capped excellent team play with a goal, but Gisborne drew within a point as James Gray and Luke Meletis slotted majors.
When McKenna booted his second goal the Bulldogs were up 41-37 by half-time.
Defences were on top for a lot of quarter three.
Nick Hoare broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.
Bulldogs’ on-baller Brad Bernacki regained the lead for the red, white and blue.
When Hawks’ co-coach Clayton Holmes and then Billy Evans goaled the Borough led 58-51.
It became the Clayton Holmes show in the last as he kicked four unanswered goals as the Hawks ran away 33-point victors.
Hawks’ ruckman Brayden Frost was best-on-ground as Ben Thompson, Billy Evans, Clayton Holmes, Nick Hoare and Jonty Neaves also starred.
Best for Gisborne were stand-in captain and key defender Zach Vescovi, Brad Bernacki, Lachlan Evans, Jake Normington, Dylan Johnstone and Kane Minns.
In the Drummond Golf reserves it was Golden Square which kicked on to the grand final.
The Bulldogs took on South Bendigo in the preliminary final.
Golden Square was on the rebound from a nine-point loss to Sandhurst in the second semi-final.
The Bloods struck back from an 11-point loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final to win the first semi against Castlemaine by a point.
In Saturday’s big game it was seven-all at quarter-time after Zavier Holmes had goaled for South Bendigo and Tommi Turner replied for the Dogs.
The Bloods were up 13-8 by the 10-minute mark of the second when Zac Sims goaled.
The Bulldogs were up 20-13 at the main break.
After a run of four consecutive behinds by the Bloods it was Dean Norris who goaled for the blue and gold.
Jasper Langley kept the Bloods in touch with a major.
The Bulldogs led 27-22 going into the final quarter.
When Will Allen goaled in the 10th minute it was South Bendigo which had regained the lead, 29-28.
From there it was the Bulldogs who seized control.
Goals by Turner, Jordan Salathiel and Nic Ross sealed a 47-29 victory for Golden Square.
Best for the Bulldogs were Noah Warfe in defence, Dean Norris, Jordan Salathiel, James Wilkinson, Nic Ross and Lachlan Monti.
The Bloods’ best were Ollie Turnbull, Bailey Waterman, Will Allen, Braydan Torpey, Jasper Langley and James Barri.
Preliminary final began with the SportsPower under-18s clash between Golden Square and South Bendigo.
Their previous clash in the qualifying final ended in a 65-39 win for Golden Square.
The Bulldogs could not Sandhurst surging to a 71-25 victory in the second semi.
The young Bloods stayed in the premiership race as they marked a 46-37 victory in the first semi against Strathfieldsaye.
The preliminary final kicked off with the Bulldogs up 25-18 at quarter-time.
Quarter two also went the way of the blue and gold, 27-14.
South Bendigo hit back to win the third quarter, 14-2, as Logan Howell kicked both goals.
By three quarter-time the Bulldogs led 54-46.
South Bendigo was within two points early in the final term.
After a 10-minute run of no goals it was Archie Eaton who was on target for the Bulldogs.
Another goal by Xavier Cain put the Bulldogs in control again.
A hat-trick of goals by the Bulldogs included Josh Kelly and Archie Eaton being on target to seal an 84-53 victory.
Best for Golden Square were Melvic Pambai, Archie Eaton, Byron Ritchie, Seth Cooke-Kingston, Zach Barker and Xavier Cain.
The Bloods’ best were Campbell Wood, Toby Hardingham, Lachlan Magee, Adam Triplett, Logan Howell and Louis Eddy.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
SportsPower under-18s at 9.15am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
Drummond Golf reserves at 11.50am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.