GOLDEN Square’s remarkable winning streak against Kangaroo Flat rolled on in Saturday’s twilight match to complete round six in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League senior footy action.
The Roos had not beaten the Bulldogs since 2001 and Square ensured it would be tough to do so in their latest meeting on the Kangaroos’ ground at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
The Christian Carter-coached Golden Square charged to a 26-nil lead by the 12th minute of the contest.
Kangaroo Flat had rarely gone inside the forward 50m arc as the Bulldogs dominated the centre breaks and through midfield.
The Roos finally goaled when captain Nick Lang, playing at full-forward instead of ruck, took a strong mark and then gained a 50m penalty.
Golden Square struck back through key forward Jayden Burke whose quick leads and strong marking would test the Roos all match.
Great teamwork by the Flat from a centre ball-up was capped by a Kyle Symons goal on the run.
It was another Symons, Paul in the blue and gold who leapt high and then roved the crumbs to snap a brilliant goal.
After a lengthy stint recovering from a hamstring injury, the classy Hakeem Johnson goaled in the 25th minute for the Roos.
A Matt Compston tap-out near goal was roved by Harry Donegan who snapped on his left.
A strong tackle by Joel Brett earned a free and another goal for the Bulldogs to complete a strong start to the match.
Kangaroo Flat lifted its pressure in the second and held the Dogs to just four goals, but the Roos again battled to take marks in their attack.
By half-time it was the Bulldogs by 50 points.
In the second minute of the second half, Hakeem Johnson kicked one of the goals of the day with a right-foot snap.
A Roos major was usually quickly answered and it was again through Burke.
There were plenty of pats on the back for Jack Threlfall when he marked his first senior match with a set-shot goal from a tight angle for the Dogs to lead by 60 points.
One of the Roos’ rising stars, Max Johnson worked hard all match at centre ball-ups and around the ground and goaled after he intercepted a pass in Square’s defence.
The skilful Jake Thrum was on target from a tight angle in the bowls club pocket for Square to pass the century mark.
Kangaroo Flat’s only goal in the final term was by the pacy Hakeem Johnson from a tight angle in the pocket near the timekeepers’ box for his third of the contest.
The Bulldogs scored the last three goals of the match to complete a 19.15 (129) to 7.8 (50) victory.
A five-goal haul by Jayden Burke capped a fine game as Brett, Donegan and Jake Thrum all added three apiece.
Bulldogs’ on-ballers Terry Reeves and Ryan Hartley were outstanding and ruckman Matt Compston was again an influential player.
Burke, Jake Thrum and the skilful Hamish Morcom were also among Square’s best.
For the Roos, the play of Hakeem and Max Johnson were highlights.
Others to play well for the James Flaherty-coached Kangaroos were Kyle Symons, ruck-rover Mitch Trewhella, Josh Leersen in defence, and Jake Hywood.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 229 per cent, 24 points; Eaglehawk 259, 16; Gisborne 179, 16; Strathfieldsaye 159, 16; Golden Square 150, 16; South Bendigo 118, 16; Kyneton 94, 12; Maryborough 61, 4; Kangaroo Flat 26, 0; Castlemaine 17, 0.
There will be two big matches played at venues not far from each other in this Saturday’s seventh round.
The unbeaten Sandhurst tackles Eaglehawk at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It will be a mini-final at Fur Life Vet Oval in Wade Street where Golden Square and South Bendigo do battle.
Maryborough takes on Kangaroo Flat at Barkers Oval in Princes Park.
Gisborne and Kyneton meet in the clash of the Calder rivals at Gardiner Reserve.
Strathfieldsaye and Castlemaine will play in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
All matches start at 2.20pm.
Written by Nathan Dole.