THE Graeme Wright Memorial Cup is back in South Bendigo’s hands after the Bloods defeated Sandhurst in Saturday’s sixth round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
On a day where the Bloods honour one of their great clubmen and a former coach, South Bendigo won all three footy clashes with the Dragons at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Inaccuracy would prove costly for Sandhurst which scored 2.10 in the first half of the senior clash as the Bloods opened up a 15-point lead by the long break.
At five minutes to go in the first half Sandhurst was within two points.
A run of five unanswered goals by the Bloods on either side of half-time gave them a 33-point lead.
Sandhurst scored two of the last three goals in the third term as South Bendigo led 63-36 going into the final quarter.
An early goal lifted Sandhurst’s spirits, but back-to-back goals by the Bloods put the result beyond doubt.
Goals flowed freely for the Bloods as they scored 5.5 in the last to complete a 98-50 victory.
Gun recruit James Frawley kicked a match-high five goals as James Davies slotted three and Coen Harker added two.
Sandhurst’s attack was led by co-coach Fergus Greene on three.
Best for South Bendigo were Tom Templeton, Brody Haddow, key defender Will Allen, Mac Cameron, Jack English against his former club, and James Frawley.
A Bloods’ line-up coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, regained top spot on the ladder.
The Dragons’ best were Nick Stagg, Liam Ireland, Jaxon Howard, Hamish McNamara, Caleb Connick and Fergus Greene.
Those added to the injured list for a Sandhurst team which has Bryce Curnow as non-playing co-coach included Cooper Smith, Jacob Austin, Connor Sexton, Hamish McNamara and Nick Stagg.
Gisborne fans were again treated to a final quarter fightback by their team against Eaglehawk at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 71-46 at half-time.
Quarter three belonged to the Hawks as they slammed on seven goals and kept the Bulldogs to a goal.
The reigning premier led by 11 points going into the last term.
Goals by James Gray and Shane Clough helped Gisborne regain the lead at just over 12 minutes to play.
After both teams added two points each it was the classy Pat McKenna who slotted his fourth goal to seal a 101-94 victory for the red, white and blue.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were James Gray and Zac Denahy on three and two.
Bailey Ilsley marked a welcome return to Eaglehawk’s line-up by kicking four goals as Ben and Nick Thompson added two each.
Best for Gisborne were James Gray, captain Zac Vescovi, Brad Bernacki, Dylan Johnstone, Zac Denahy and Pat McKenna.
Ruckman Callum Heath, captain Billy Evans, Ben Thompson, Bailey Ilsley, Joel Mullen and Nick Thompson were best for the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk.
It’s 49 wins in a row for Golden Square against Kangaroo Flat.
The Bulldogs charged to a 43-12 lead by quarter-time of Saturday’s match at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
The margin stayed as it was by the long break after both teams scored 3.5 in the second quarter.
As the Bulldogs scored 5.6 in the third Kangaroo Flat did well to add 4.1.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Roos won the last, 13-10, but it was the Bulldogs who marked a 100-61 victory.
Archie Eaton and Tom Strauch led Golden Square’s attack on three goals each as Dermott Bell booted two.
The in-form Nick Keogh kicked a match-high four goals for the Kangaroos.
Archie Edwards, Tom Strauch, Jack Stewart, Jack McMahon, Noah Warfe and Tommi Turner were best for a Bulldogs team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing.
Kangaroo Flat’s best were Aaron Nevins, ruckman Angus Macpherson, Nick Keogh, Jake Hywood, Jay Newman and Zach Bird.
Nine goals by James Schischka were among the highs in Strathfieldsaye’s big win against Broadford at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm raced to a 45-2 lead by quarter-time and then added 7.8 as they kept Broadford scoreless in the second.
Storm added 12 goals in the third and 10 in the last to complete a 237-14 victory.
Strong marking targets in Schischka and Jed Brereton capped Storm’s dominance with nine and five goals.
Other multiple goalkickers for Storm were Pat Blake and Siologa Siu, four; Ezekiel Cousins, three; and Zach Charles and Riley Mulquiny on two.
Strathfieldsaye’s best were Pat Blake, James Schischka, Hunter Lawrence, Daniel Clohesy, Zach Charles and Mitch McClure.
Adam Miles, Taiten Thomas, Riley Edwards, Louis Thompson, Charles Neilson and Rhys Carman were best for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford.
Castlemaine had the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
South Bendigo 172 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 205, 16; Strathfieldsaye 173, 16; Gisborne 142, 16; Golden Square 128, 8; Castlemaine 100, 8; Eaglehawk 99, 8; Kangaroo Flat 59, 4; Broadford 14, 0.
Inter-league football and netball returns to Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo next Saturday when Bendigo takes on Ovens and Murray.
Footy action kicks off with the under-18s match at noon.
The senior footy match will start at 2.20pm.
On the netball court it will be the 15-under teams in action from 11.15am and 17-under from 12.45pm.
The open netball match begins at 2.30pm.
The Bendigo FNL marks Indigenous Round on May 30 and 31.
On the 30th it will be Golden Square against South Bendigo at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street from 2.20pm.
Eaglehawk takes on Castlemaine at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Broadford will play Gisborne at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
A stand-alone match on May 31 features Sandhurst against Strathfieldsaye at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
18 James Schischka, S’saye.
16 Pat McKenna, Gis.
15 Brock Harvey, SB; Nick Keogh, KF.
12 Cobi Maxted, Sh; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Archie Eaton, GS; Alex Smith, SB.
10 Pat Blake, S’saye, Michael Hartley, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Harrison Sheahan, Cm.
9 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Ben Thompson, Eh.
8 Zach Charles, S’saye; Brody Haddow, SB; Archie Rixon, Cm; Tom Strauch, GS.
7 Tom Campbell, Sh; James Frawley, SB; James Gray, Gis.; Fergus Greene, Sh; Bailey Henderson, Cm; Matt Merrett, Gis.; Jack Thompson, Eh.
In the netball, SANDHURST outpointed South Bendigo in Saturday’s sixth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst bounced back from defeat to Kangaroo Flat the previous round to net a 13-goal win on the Bloods’ court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
It was the maroon and blue which led 60-47 at the end of the clash with the Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo.
Strathfieldsaye moved to the fifth rung following a 54-goal victory on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane against Broadford.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm controlled a lot of the play as it hit the 80-goal mark against the league newcomer which is coached by Jaimie Hooper.
Kangaroo Flat was too strong for Golden Square at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won 82-42 against the Bulldogs.
Defeat pushed the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square to the sixth rung.
Gisborne scored a 60-33 win against Eaglehawk at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs moved to second place in the premiership race.
Was another tough afternoon for the Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk.
Castlemaine had the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 222 per cent, 24 points; Gisborne 164, 16; Sandhurst 155, 16; South Bendigo 139, 16; Strathfieldsaye 135, 12; Golden Square 92, 8; Eaglehawk 83, 4; Castlemaine 32, 0; Broadford 30, 0.
Inter-league netball returns to Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo next Saturday when Bendigo plays Ovens and Murray in three matches.
Action begins with the 15-and-under match at 11.15am and will be followed by 17-and-under at 12.45pm.
The open teams take to the court at 2.30pm.
Round seven in the Bendigo FNL on May 30 features Golden Square against South Bendigo at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street from 3.20pm.
Broadford will play Gisborne at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve from 2pm.
Eaglehawk takes on Castlemaine in the clash of the Hawks and Magpies at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 2.30pm.
Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.30pm.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Bendigo FNL netball, round six scoreboard:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 61 d Sandhurst 37, Kangaroo Flat 54 d Golden Square 25, Gisborne 45 d Eaglehawk 36, Strathfieldsaye bye, Castlemaine bye.
B-grade:
South Bendigo 46 d Sandhurst 36, Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square not supplied, Gisborne 61 d Eaglehawk 30, Strathfieldsaye 55 d Broadford 25, Castlemaine bye.
B-reserve:
South Bendigo 38 d Sandhurst 37, Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square not supplied, Gisborne 63 d Eaglehawk 32, Strathfieldsaye 65 d Broadford 19, Castlemaine bye.
17-and-under:
South Bendigo 24 lt Sandhurst 54, Kangaroo Flat 44 lt Golden Square 63, Gisborne 42 dr Eaglehawk 42, Strathfieldsaye 73 d Broadford 11, Castlemaine bye.
15-and-under:
South Bendigo 15 lt Sandhurst 67, Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square not supplied, Castlemaine bye, Eaglehawk bye, Strathfieldsaye bye.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after six rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 138 per cent, 20 points; Kangaroo Flat 158, 16; Gisborne 141, 16; Sandhurst 101, 8; Eaglehawk 84, 8; Golden Square 70.6, 4; Strathfieldsaye 70.0, 4; Castlemaine 64, 0.
B-grade, pending Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square result:
Gisborne 179 per cent, 20 points; South Bendigo 156, 20; Kangaroo Flat 180, 16; Golden Square 147, 12; Sandhurst 131, 12; Strathfieldsaye 115, 12; Eaglehawk 67, 0; Castlemaine 35, 0; Broadford 34, 0.
B-reserve, pending Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square result:
Kangaroo Flat 202 per cent, 20 points; South Bendigo 169, 20; Gisborne 165, 16; Sandhurst 136, 12; Strathfieldsaye 132, 12; Golden Square 138, 8; Eaglehawk 70, 4; Castlemaine 38, 0; Broadford 23, 0.
17-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 315 per cent, 20 points; Golden Square 250, 20; Sandhurst 202, 16; South Bendigo 89, 12; Gisborne 121, 10; Eaglehawk 74, 10; Kangaroo Flat 107, 8; Castlemaine 35, 0; Broadford 19, 0.
15-and-under, pending Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square result:
Sandhurst 337 per cent, 16 points; South Bendigo 99, 12; Golden Square 167, 8; Eaglehawk 71, 8; Strathfieldsaye 103, 4; Kangaroo Flat 50, 4; Castlemaine 54, 0.