-By Nathan Dole
EAGLEHAWK’S hot streak rolled on as it beat South Bendigo by 37 points in the Anzac Day clash to kick off round three in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
The Hawks won every quarter on their way to a 71-34 result against the Bloods on a wet Friday night at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Despite the greasy conditions there were many superb passages of play in a match which drew plenty of supporters.
The Bendigo FNL, South Bendigo and Eaglehawk clubs joined forces with the Bendigo District RSL to also raise funds to support those who have served and their families.
Eaglehawk controlled a lot of the clearance battles, especially in the second quarter where it added 3.3 and held the Bloods to a score of 1.2.
In attack Jack O’Shannessy and co-coach Clayton Holmes were great targets in the air, but also had an impact at ground level.
A brilliant chase and tackle by O’Shannessy in the second quarter resulted in one of a match-high three goals.
On a night where pressure was on it was the Two Blues who led 38-15 at half-time and then won the third term, 22-6.
The Bloods went into the match without gun ruckman Mac Cameron.
A highlight was the ruck duel between Callum Crisp and the Hawks’ Brayden Frost.
The Bloods were also hampered in bench rotations and positional switches when talented key position player Zaydyn Lockwood injured a finger.
Not only did Lockwood leave the field, but also the QEO to receive treatment.
The teenager did return in time to play in the ruck in the final quarter.
Eaglehawk’s Cam McGlashan did not play the second half because of concussion.
The Troy Coates and Jack Fallon-coached South Bendigo showed plenty of fight and continually attacked in the final quarter.
South Bendigo’s work was capped with two goals, but it was the Hawks who marked a third consecutive victory.
Eaglehawk’s attack was led by O’Shannessy on three goals in a match where co-coaches Travis Matheson, non-playing, and Clayton Holmes, playing, would have been rapt with the team’s workrate.
The classy Brock Harvey kicked two goals for the Bloods on a tough night for forwards.
A key player for Coburg Lions in the VFL, Max Kennedy marked his first match for the Two Blues by being adjudged best on ground.
Other key contributors for the Hawks were Jack O’Shannessy, Brayden Frost, Lachlan Walker, Dylan Hanley and Thomas Bennett.
For the Bloods it was Thomas Brereton who won plenty of contests across half-back or through midfield.
Brody Haddow, Joel Swatton, James Davies, Josh Nitschke and Alex Davis also played well for the red and white.
On Saturday, Gisborne fought on to avoid consecutive home defeats when it faced Strathfieldsaye at Gardiner Reserve.
Gisborne led 32-9 at quarter-time before the Luke Freeman-coached Storm hit back to win the second term, 20-1.
Just five points separated the teams as Gisborne led 42-37 going into the final term.
Both teams scored 15 points in the last as a Jed Denahy goal clinched a 57-52 victory for the Bulldogs.
Gun on-baller Brad Bernacki led Gisborne’s attack on two goals.
Jye Formosa and Bode Stevens kicked two goals for Storm.
Joint Michelsen medallists in ’24, ruckman Braidon Blake and ruck-rover Bernacki were in Gisborne’s top three players.
Patrick Trotta, James Gray, Dylan Johnstone and Jed Denahy also played well for the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne.
Storm’s best were on-baller Sam Heavyside, Bode Stevens, Riley Mulquiny, Patrick Blandford, Pat Blake and key defender Kya Lanfranchi.
Kangaroo Flat marked its best hit-out of the season as it finished within 21 points of Castlemaine on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos led 25-16 at quarter-time and 40-30 by the long break.
Castlemaine then clicked into some higher gears as it slammed on 8.6 and kept the Roos to a tally of 1.1 in the third.
The Michael Hartley-coached Magpies led 84-47 at a quarter to play.
After such a fierce onslaught by the visitors, Kangaroo Flat bounced back to score 5.1 in the last as the Pies added 2.3.
At the final siren Castlemaine led 99-78.
A key target for the Magpies, Hartley finished with a match-high four goals as Matt Filo and Rhys Smith added two each.
Kangaroo Flat’s attack was led by Nick Keogh and the experienced Nick Lang on three goals as Sam Barnes and Jake Hywood added two.
Best for Castlemaine were Harrison Sheahan, Ryan Eyre, Michael Hartley, Liam Wilkinson, Brodie Browne-Kerr and Darby Semmens.
Kyle Symons, Ethan Roberts, Angus Macpherson, Jade Mayes, Sam Barnes and Aaron Melis played well for the Kangaroos.
A hamstring injury to Matt Filo and cracked jaw for Ashton Frankling will test Castlemaine’s depth.
Golden Square and Sandhurst renewed their rivalry on Square’s turf in Wade Street.
In a high-scoring first half it was the young Golden Square line-up which kept the heat on the Dragons.
Sandhurst led 33-29 at quarter-time and 49-41 by half-time.
The Dragons added 4.5 and kept the Bulldogs to just two goals in the crucial third term.
Led by the play of co-captain Cooper Smith, co-coach Lachlan Tardrew and key position player Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst kicked away in the last.
The Dragons added 4.6 to a goal as the scoreboard read 108-60 at the final siren.
Tom Campbell, Cooper Smith and Matt Wilkinson all kicked two goals for the reigning premier.
Talented teen Riley Dillon kicked a match-high three goals for Golden Square as Drew Barrett added two.
Nick Stagg, Matt Wilkinson and Lachie Hood were also among the best for a Sandhurst team which has Bryce Curnow as non-playing co-coach.
Riley Dillon, Jayden Burke, Melvic Pambai, Terence Reeves, Tom Strauch and Jake Maher were best for the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Eaglehawk 331 per cent, 12 points; Sandhurst 195, 12; Gisborne 168, 8; Castlemaine 108, 8; South Bendigo 95, 8; Strathfieldsaye 75, 0; Golden Square 45, 0; Kangaroo Flat 31, 0.
In next Saturday’s fourth round, Strathfieldsaye takes on Golden Square in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane from 2.20pm.
Eaglehawk will be back on home turf at Canterbury Park against Gisborne.
Castlemaine and South Bendigo clash in the Magpies’ nest at Camp Reserve.
Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat do battle at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
8 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
8 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
8 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
7 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
7 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
7 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
7 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
6 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
6 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
5 Seb Bell-Bartels, Gisborne.
5 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
5 Matt Filo, Castlemaine.
5 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
5 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
4 Sam Barnes, Kangaroo Flat.
4 Riley Dillon, Golden Square.
4 Jack Fallon, South Bendigo.
4 James Gray, Gisborne.
4 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
4 Nick Keogh, Kangaroo Flat.
4 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
4 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
4 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
4 Matt Wilkinson, Castlemaine.
In next Saturday’s fourth round it will be Castlemaine against South Bendigo in the Magpies’ nest at Camp Reserve from 2.20pm.
Eaglehawk tackles Gisborne on the Borough’s ground at Canterbury Park.
Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Stakes are high as Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square fight to end their winless run when they meet in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.