Eaglehawk

GOLDEN Square overcame a 17-point deficit in the final term to win a thrilling contest with Eaglehawk in Saturday’s eighth round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season.

A hat-trick of goals by gun forward Joel Brett, which included a match-winning set-shot from more than 40m out clinched a 70-67 win at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

The Bulldogs made a brilliant start to what was ruckman Matt Compston’s 200^th match by scoring 3.3 to 0.3 in the opening term.

Eaglehawk fought back to win the second term, 3.4 to 2.3.

On the rebound from defeats of three and one point in the previous two rounds, Eaglehawk led 54-49 at a quarter to go in the kennel.

Consecutive goals gave the Travis Matheson-coached Hawks a 17-point lead before the Bulldogs came charging back to win 70-67.

Brett finished with a match-high five in Square’s tally of 10.

The Hawks’ attack was led by Lewin Davis, co-captain Cam McGlashan, Jack O’Shannessy and Noah Wheeler on two each.

Best for the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square were Joel Brett, Tom Toma, Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley, Jack Hickman and Jake Thrum.

The Hawks’ best were Kallen Geary, Charlie Langford, Connor Dalgleish, Lewin Davis, Noah Wheeler and Ben Thompson.

Goals flowed freely for the Bloods from South Bendigo in the first quarter of their clash with Gisborne at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

The Bloods slammed on 8.3 to 2.2 in the opening term before Gisborne hit back to score 5.5 to 2.3 in the second.

A 17-point buffer for the Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo at half-time was up to 39 by the last change after a 6.3 to 0.2 return in the crucial third quarter.

Classy small forward and assistant coach Steven Stroobants went on to slot a match-high six goals as the Bloods marked a 131-63 victory.

Other multiple goalkickers for South Bendigo were Brock Harvey and Will Keck, four; and Nathan Horbury, two.

Gisborne’s attack was led by Braidon Blake, Matt Merrett and captain Jack Reaper on two each.

Best for the Bloods were Brody Haddow, Mac Cameron, Riley Walsh, Steven Stroobants, Brock Harvey and Braydan Torpey.

Matt Merrett, Macklan Lord, Liam Spear, Jed Denahy, James Fox and Flynn Lakey were best for the Brad Fox-coached Gisborne.

Seven goals by skipper Lachlan Sharp and six by Callum McCarty were highlights in Strathfieldsaye’s win at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

After a slow start to the season, Storm is building.

In Saturday’s clash, Storm surged to a 54-1 lead by quarter-time and had scored 13 goals by the long break.

Led by the play of on-ballers Daniel Clohesy, Callum McCarty and Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye went on to record a 170-36 victory.

Other multiple goalkickers for Storm were James Schischka, three; Jordan Wilson, two.

Maryborough’s attack was led by Chris Freeman and Alex Gavriliadis on two.

Best for Strathfieldsaye included Lachlan Sharp, Darcy Mulquiny and James Schischka.

Matt Johnston played well against a club he won a premiership with to be Maryborough’s best, along with Jacob Lohmann and Rhys Egan.

The Coby Perry-coached Magpies also had Luke Dunne, Joel Swatton and Luke Guelen play well.

It took until the final quarter for Sandhurst to break clear of a determined Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Sandhurst faced a strongly-united club a day after the funeral service for under-18s player Dallas Keogh-Frankling who passed away after the match at Kyneton.

On Saturday the Brendan Shepherd-coached Magpies started well to score 2.2 in the first and held a red-hot Dragons’ team to a tally of 3.2.

In the second it was Sandhurst which controlled play and scored 3.5 to a point.

A 28-point buffer at half-time was increased by just a goal in the third as the Pies scored 3.1 to 4.1.

Jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, Sandhurst seized control in the final quarter.

The Dragons slammed on 8.3 to nil to complete a 119-34 victory.

Former Richmond and Carlton forward/mid Andy Collins kicked a match-high five goals as James Coghlan and young gun Lachlan Wright added four.

Dragons’ captain and Michelsen medallist Lee Coghlan chipped in with two goals.

The Magpies’ attack was led by Brad Keogh, two, as Brodie Byrne, Jackson Hood and David Wilson added one each.

Sandhurst’s best were James Coghlan, Zach Pallpratt, Nick Stagg, Andy Collins, Matt Wilkinson and Jacob Nihill.

Riley Pedretti, Brodie Browne-Kerr, Matt Filo, Kyan Martin, David Wilson and Ethan Maltby played well for the Magpies.

Kyneton was too strong for Kangaroo Flat in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Kangaroos were bolstered by the inclusion of former Greater Western Giants and Hawthorn forward Jonathon Patton for the clash.

Kyneton’s sights were on a fourth consecutive victory and it started brilliantly to score four goals to four behinds in the opening term.

In the second the Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroos fought back to score 2.2 as the wayward Tigers added seven behinds.

Led by the play of Harrison Huntley, Hamish Yunghanns and Bailey McGee, Kyneton dominated most of the second half.

The yellow and black won the third, 21-4, and scored 3.5 to 2.3 in the last for a 75-37 victory.

The in-form Cameron Manuel kicked three goals for Kyneton as the classy Ethan Foreman and Hamish Yunghanns added two each.

There were no multiple goalkickers for the Kangaroos in a contest where Patton was goalless.

Mitch Comben, Mason Crozier and Jake Safstrom were among the best for the Paul Chapman-coached Tigers.

Kangaroo Flat’s best were Mitch Trewhella, Jordan and Zac Rouse, Ryan O’Keefe, Kyle Symons and Xavier Dingfelder-Hope.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Sandhurst 252 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 195, 24; Eaglehawk 217, 20; Strathfieldsaye 145, 20; South Bendigo 143, 20; Kyneton 104, 18; Kangaroo Flat 70, 12; Gisborne 89, 8; Castlemaine 29, 6; Maryborough 17, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

35 Joel Brett, Golden Square.

30 Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye.

24 Will Keck, South Bendigo.

24 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.

24 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.

22 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

20 Cameron Manuel, Kyneton.

18 Braydon Vaz, Golden Square.

16 Andy Collins, Sandhurst.

16 Matt Thornton, Sandhurst.

16 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.

14 Lewin Davis, Eaglehawk.

13 Ryan Hartley, Golden Square.

13 Cam McGlashan, Eaglehawk.

13 Thomas Quinn, Kyneton.

12 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.

11 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.

10 Jed Brereton, Strathfieldsaye.

10 Dylan Hird, Eaglehawk.

10 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.

10 Liam Marciano, Eaglehawk.

10 Callum McCarty, Strathfieldsaye.

10 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.

10 Noah Wheeler, Eaglehawk.

The halfway mark of the home and away series will be reached next Saturday.

Eaglehawk takes on Sandhurst at Canterbury Park in the clash between third and first.

Strathfieldsaye meets Kyneton at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane in a match crucial to the Tigers’ top-five aspirations.

Castlemaine and South Bendigo meet at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

Gisborne is home at Gardiner Reserve to play Maryborough.

Kangaroo Flat is on home turf at Dower Park to play Golden Square.

THERE are some old faces among the new as Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League clubs build up for the start of the ’23 footy season.

It’s been a busy time on the recruiting front, especially at Sandhurst and Eaglehawk as they strive to improve on last year’s fifth and seventh placings.

Grand finalists Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye have made changes in a bid to stay at the top.

Brad Fox takes charge as Gisborne chases back-to-back premiership victories, while the Darryl Wilson coached Storm eyes a fifth consecutive grand final appearance.

A top contender for the past few years, Golden Square again looks strong as it strives to hit back from a two-point loss to Gisborne in last September’s preliminary final.

It’s a new era for South Bendigo which has made the move from Queen Elizabeth Oval to now be based at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Sandhurst has welcomed back several premiership winners and also recruited versatile big man Bryce Curnow to be co-coach with Ash Connick.

Stung by missing the finals by percentage after a 10-8 run to be sixth, the Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton looms as a big threat to climb into the top five.

Kangaroo Flat, Maryborough and Castlemaine all have new coaches in charge.

The Roos have appointed Nathan Johns who brings a wealth of coaching experience to Dower Park.

Coby Perry steps up to be playing coach at Maryborough.

Premiership player Brendan Shepherd will be determined to mark a successful return at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

As reigning premier, Gisborne will be prepared for the heat.

It’s the third time in the club’s stint in the Bendigo FNL it starts a season chasing back-to-back premierships.

The Gardiner Reserve-based Bulldogs did so in 2002-03 and 2005-06.

A line-up that includes captain Pat McKenna, Braidon Blake, Flynn Lakey, Jack Reaper, Matt Merrett and Sam Graham will be tough to beat.

Those to have left Gisborne include Ethan Foreman, Kyneton; Josh Kemp, Aberfeldie; Ethan Minns, Woodend-Heskett; Matt Panuccio, Riddell;

Strathfieldsaye’s remarkable run since 2013 includes being in seven of eight grand finals and a win-loss tally of 4-3.

Key inclusions for Storm include running half-back Luke Webb as playing assistant coach.

Webb was on Geelong’s list in the VFL and also played for St Joseph’s.

A powerful attack is bolstered by the inclusion of Jack Exell who kicked 100 goals for Violet Town last season.

Storm also regains Alex Powell after stints at Tooleybuc and Bridgewater.

A triple premiership player and Nalder medallist for best afield in the 2017 grand final win, Kallen Geary has left Storm to play for Eaglehawk where his superb career kicked off.

Fergus Payne has gone to Inglewood as an assistant coach.

A formidable Storm line-up includes Michelsen medallists Lachlan Sharp at full-forward, and ruck-rover Jake Moorhead.

Golden Square has kept most of last year’s line-up which reached the preliminary final.

Christian Carter kicks off a third season in charge and has 2001 premiership winner Matt Dillon back at the club as assistant coach.

Most recent coaching stint for Dillon was in 2019 when North Bendigo won the Heathcote DFNL grand final.

Back in the blue and gold is Tom Toma from Cohuna Kangas.

A hard-at-it mid/onballer, Toma’s signing is a huge plus for the Bulldogs.

A multiple premiership winner, dual Nalder medallist for best afield in a grand final, and the 2018 Michelsen medallist, Jack Geary will again lead Golden Square.

The Dogs’ attack was brilliantly led by Joel Brett and Jayden Burke last season.

Those to have transferred from Square include Jarrod Fitzpatrick to Boort; Liam Jacques to Heathcote, and Will Thrum to Cohuna Kangas.

After marking a long-awaited finals appearance by winning the elimination, South Bendigo will be determined to keep rising.

The Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods welcome back classy small forward Steven Stroobants from Rochester.

The return of Stroobants off-sets the departure of Ron Best medallist Kaiden Antonowicz to White Hills.

Another key signing for the Bloods was ruckman Mac Cameron from Monash Blues.

The play of Brock Harvey in attack, Zac Hare, Cooper Leon, Will Allen, Braydan Torpey and Andrew van Heumen will have a major bearing on South’s run in ’23.

After a productive recruiting spree, Sandhurst could mark a rise from fifth to premier this season.

The Dragons gained Bryce Curnow who was the Nalder medallist in Strathfieldsaye’s grand final win in 2019 and played in Kerang’s premiership victory last season.

Also back at Sandhurst are Nick Stagg and Andy Collins from Kerang and Bridgewater respectively.

Another key recruit is Harrison Monk.

Gun midfielder Lachlan Tardrew is still on Collingwood’s list in the VFL, but has re-aligned with the Dragons.

The Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton again shapes as a tough opponent, especially at Tigerland.

A previous winner of the club’s goalkicking award, the classy Ethan Foreman is back in the yellow and black after premiership success at Gisborne.

Although he battled hamstring issues last season, Foreman’s skill and experience is a massive plus for the Tigers.

Kyneton has also gained another talented small forward in Thomas Quinn from the VAFA, but will be without Rhys Magin, Sunbury Kangaroos; and Guy Dickson, Leongatha.

The return of the Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen has generated plenty of excitement as Eaglehawk strives to fly from seventh position.

After a 207-game career with St Kilda, Jarryn Geary’s play across half-back or any other role decided by coach Travis Matheson is a massive plus for the Two Blues and the league.

Another key signing for the Borough was ruckman Connor Dalgleish from Montmorency.

Other players listed on the transfer list to Eaglehawk included Ryan Wellington from Mitiamo; Jack Daley and Jacob Greenwood from Calivil United.

Departures from Eaglehawk include Shaun Knott to Westmeadows, and Sean Williams to Rochester.

A 14^th year in coaching for Nathan Johns is likely to be one of his most challenging as he takes charge at Kangaroo Flat.

Key signings for the Roos were tall defenders Jordan and Zac Rouse to join what will be an extremely young team.

Long-time number one ruckman and captain Nick Lang has made the move from the Roos to Kerang.

Others to have left Dower Park include Brodie and Jackson Fry and Lachlan Wilson to Huntly; Max Johnson to Lockington-Bamawm; and Mitch Rovers to Mount Pleasant.

For the Roos’ coaching team, players and supporters it’s not focus on what we don’t have, but we do have.

A premiership winner as a teenager with Castlemaine in 2000, Brendan Shepherd returns to Camp Reserve as senior coach.

The Magpies re-appointed Brodie Martin as senior assistant coach, while Jackson Hood tackles a new role as playing assistant coach.

Signings for the Pies included Lloyd Butcher from Waverley Blues; Tom Wilson from Marong; and David Wilson after stints at Harcourt and Maldon.

Key players for Castlemaine include Bailey Henderson, Liam Wilkinson, David Stephens, Brad Keogh, and Brodie and Jackson Byrne.

A coup for Maryborough was the signing of Joel Swatton from South Bendigo to play in the midfield and also be strength and conditioning coach.

The Magpies also regain gun onballer and previous best and fairest winner in Bailey Edwards.

Based in Darwin, Edwards played the latest Northern Territory FL season with Nightcliff.

The Tigers were beaten in the first semi by St Mary’s in a season where Edwards played 16 games and kicked 11 goals.

Edwards was among Carisbrook’s best as it finished runner-up to Harcourt in last year’s Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL senior grand final.

Players on the transfer list to the Magpies included Darcy Bond, Sam Flynn, Brodie Quinlan, and James Woods.

The Pies will be without talented on-baller Aidan Hare who has headed west from Princes Park to Peel Thunder.

Maryborough will be desperate to hit back from a winless season.

GOLDEN Square’s winning run has hit 16 after an 88-74 result against Sandhurst in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy second semi-final on Saturday.

The Bulldogs were the only team to beat Sandhurst in the home-and-away series and are now first through to the grand final for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.

In Saturday’s clash it was Sandhurst which had a lot of the play and capitalised to lead by three goals.

Consecutive goals by Golden Square late in the first half meant the Dragons led 40-34 at half-time.

In the third quarter it was the Bulldogs’ run, strong defensive acts and ability to keep putting the ball inside the 50m arc which overwhelmed the maroon and blue.

As Golden Square scored 3.6 it kept the Dragons to a tally of two behinds.

Sandhurst fought back strongly to score 5.2 in the last, but the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square was able kick five straight.

At the final siren the Bulldogs led 13.10 (88) to 11.8 (74).

Joel Brett, Tom Strauch and Braydon Vaz all kicked two goals for the blue and gold.

Other goalkickers for Golden Square were Liam Barrett, Ricky Monti, Hamish Morcom, Zavier Murley, Jack Stewart, Jack Threlfall and Tom Toma.

Cobi Maxted kicked a match-high four goals for Sandhurst as Andy Collins and Sam Conforti chipped in with two.

Other goalkickers for the Dragons were co-coach Bryce Curnow, Alex Wharton and Matt Wilkinson.

Best for Golden Square were Jon Coe, Jayden Burke, Ricky Monti, Ryan Hartley, Tom Toma and Jack Hickman.

Hamish Hosking, Zack Pallpratt, Isaac Ruff, Noah Walsh, Sam Conforti and Alex Wharton were Sandhurst’s best.

The Dragons’ team which has Ash Connick as non-playing coach will now fight to stay in the premiership race when it faces Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final.

Although it had been beaten convincingly by Eaglehawk in both home-and-away games, Strathfieldsaye was a different team in Sunday’s first semi.

Stung by a 26-point loss to Golden Square in the qualifying final, Strathfieldsaye turned a seven-point deficit at quarter-time of the clash with Eaglehawk into a 26-point lead by the long break.

A tally of 6.5 to 1.2 in the second term meant Storm surged to a 49-23 lead.

The Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk hit back to win the third term, 32-19.

Although it was within 13 points going into the final term, Eaglehawk could not halt Strathfieldsaye adding 3.6.

Just as importantly, Storm kept the Hawks to a score of two behinds.

At the final siren the Darryl Wilson-coached Strathfieldsaye led 13.14 (92) to 8.9 (57).

Storm’s attack was led by Matt Harvey and James Schischka on four and three goals as Baxter Slater added two.

Other goalkickers were Jed Brereton, Cooper Jones, co-captain Jake Moorhead, and Riley Wilson.

Co-captain Lachlan Sharp was goalless which has the multiple Ron Best medallist on a season tally of 95 at one, or maybe two matches to play.

The Hawks’ attack was led by Charlie Hillier on two as Lewin Davis, Jack O’Shannessy, Darcy Richards, Noah Wheeler, and co-captains Billy Evans and Cameron McGlashan added one.

Last season’s Michelsen medallist and gun on-baller Jake Moorhead was best afield for Storm.

Others to star for Strathfieldsaye were Malik Gordon, Callum McCarty, Bode Stevens, Caleb Ernst and Jed Brereton.

Eaglehawk’s best were Kallen Geary, Clayton Holmes, Charlie Hillier, Billy Evans, Thomas Bennett and Oscar Madden.

An 18^th victory for the season has earned Eaglehawk a place in the grand final of the Harmac Homes-backed reserves competition.

The Hawks took on Sandhurst in Saturday’s second semi-final.

A 17-game winning streak by the Two Blues was broken in the 18^th round when Sandhurst marked a 20-point victory on the QEO.

The Hawks were back on the iconic turf on Saturday and dominated most of the second half.

Eaglehawk led 16-10 at half-time and then scored 3.1 to 1.6 in the third term.

It was a Borough onslaught in the last quarter as the Two Blues slammed on 6.3 and kept the Dragons scoreless.

At the final siren Eaglehawk led 11.8 (74) to 2.10 (22).

Goalkickers for Eaglehawk were Andrew Bennett, Sam O’Shannessy, Mitchell Ronchieri and Jack Storey, two; Zack Bulger, Jack Daley and Tyler Eliades.

The Dragons’ goals were kicked by Hayden Gillingham and Lachlan Zimmer.

Eaglehawk’s best were Zack Bulger, Aydan Hanley, Jack Daley, Blake McGregor, Sam Dean and Mark Storey.

Jack Keating, Harrison Free, Brodie Montague, Harrison Monk, Martin Leyden and Isaac Carracher worked hard for Sandhurst.

The Dragons will now face Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final.

Storm surged to an eight-goal win against Golden Square in the first semi.

Strathfieldsaye led 8-7 at quarter-time and then seized control as it added 4.2 to 1.2 in the second term.

Defences controlled a lot of the play in a third term which went Storm’s way, 9-3.

Led by the play of Harry Teasdale, Joseph Mayes and Darcy Mulquiny, Strathfieldsaye kicked away to record a 67-19 victory.

Ethan Featherby kicked two goals for Storm as Lachlan Bonney, Jai Featherby, Rowan Fox, Darcy Mulquiny, Abe Sheahan, Harry Teasdale and Jordan Wilson added one.

The Bulldogs’ goalkickers were Macey Eaton and Jack Vinnicombe.

Best for Strathfieldsaye included Lachlan Bonney, Shannon Murphy and Ryan Duncan.

Tanner Rayner, Bailey Rackstraw, Lachlan Humphrey, Dale Lowry, Macey Eaton and Jack Vinnicombe were Golden Square’s best.

A three-goal victory in the SportsPower under-18s second semi-final has put Golden Square into the September 23 grand final.

Defences were on top for a lot of this contest.

Golden Square led 12-1 at quarter-time before both teams added 1.1 in the second.

The Gisborne line-up was within five points going into the last quarter.

Led by the play of Bailey Cain, Darcy Lawler and Jack McMahon, Golden Square added 2.1 and kept Gisborne scoreless in the last term to complete a 34-16 victory.

Goalkickers for Golden Square were Jack McMahon, two; Will Stewart, Tommi Turner and Zac Wescott.

Jarrod Ainsworth and James Gray were on target for Gisborne.

Best for the blue and gold included Xavier Carter, Zac Wescott and Billy Meade.

Gisborne’s best were Kane Minns, Frankie Ellis, Lachlan Evans, Jack Long, James Gentles and Lachie Bianco.

Sandhurst kept its season alive in a 49-point win against Maryborough in the first semi.

After a confident start, Maryborough’s line-up led 19-13 at quarter-time.

The Dragons fired up in the second to score 5.1 and kept the Pies scoreless.

Quarter three went Sandhurst’s way, 21-11.

The Dragons added 2.3 to a point in the last to complete an 80-31 victory.

Sandhurst’s attack was led by Joseph Artavilla, captain Alex Carr and Isaac Tzouroutis on two goals.

Other goalkickers for the maroon and blue were Jacob Austin, Wilson Butler, Callum Craig, Declan Delaney, Henry Edwards and Logan Kilcullen.

The Magpies’ attack was led by Taj Bond on two goals as Kaian Constable and Liam Freeman added one.

Best for Sandhurst were Logan Kilcullen, Henry Edwards, Wil Pinniger, Daniel Noden, Davis McNair and Jack English.

Joe Lovel, Damon Nitschke, Jake Gavriliadis, Tom Myers, Lucas Hurse and Tyson Hoban played well for Maryborough.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

Seniors at 2.50pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.

Reserves at 12.45pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.

Under-18s at 10.45am: Gisborne v Sandhurst.

FIERCE rivals Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye clash in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy finals action.

The Bulldogs and Storm meet again in a qualifying final at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.

This season’s meetings between the teams stand at two-nil in favour of Golden Square.

In round two, Golden Square won 101-94 on Strathfieldsaye’s turf at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

The Bulldogs defensive efforts held Storm to a tally of 3.14 (32) in a 78 victory for the blue and gold at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street in the 11^th round.

Both qualifying finalists have plenty of goalscoring power.

The Bulldogs attack is led by Joel Brett, 84 goals.

There’s strong support from the likes of Braydon Vaz, 33; Jack Stewart, 28; Ryan Hartley, 23; Hamish Morcom and Tom Toma on 21.

Storm has had co-captain Lachlan Sharp kick 93 goals to win the Ron Best Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker for a third time.

Other targets in the forward 50m arc for Storm include James Schischka, 29; Baxter Slater, 20; and Jed Brereton, 18.

On-ball and midfield duels are vital on the big ground.

Golden Square has experienced ruckman Matt Compston to team with captain Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley and Ricky Monti.

They will be up against Tim Hosking, co-captain Jake Moorhead, Callum McCarty and Lachlan Gill.

An outstanding game by Gill in the final round of the home and away series earned the Barry Plant Player of the Round award.

Gill racked up 43 disposals, 8 marks, 10 clearances, and 190 ranking points in Storm’s victory at Kyneton.

With so much firepower there will be plenty of pressure on the defences of both teams.

The back six for Golden Square includes Harrison Burke, Jon Coe, Jack Hickman and Jake Thrum.

Storm’s defence is led by Lachlan Ratcliffe, Luke Webb, Mitch Hallinan and Ben Lester.

Winner of the qualifying final meets Sandhurst in the second semi on September 9.

On Sunday it’s Eaglehawk against South Bendigo in the seniors elimination final from 2.20pm.

The Travis Matheson-coached Hawks mark a return to finals action.

A year ago, South Bendigo beat Sandhurst in the elimination final.

The Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods team has changed a lot, but there’s still many who were part of that triumph.

In this season’s meetings Eaglehawk has beaten the Bloods both times.

They met in round one where the Hawks claimed a 58-48 victory at the Bloods’ new home of Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.

In the 10^th round the Hawks dominated in a 103-47 result on their turf at Canterbury Park.

A huge test for Eaglehawk’s defence on Sunday will be restricting the impact of Bloods’ forwards Brock Harvey, Steven Stroobants and Will Keck.

The talented trio racked up goal tallies of 65, 55 and 39 across the home and away series.

Massive challenge for Hawks’ defenders Dylan Hanley, Oscar Madden, Marcus Angove and Sam Thompson who will rely a lot on pressure up the ground.

The Borough did name versatile big man Clayton Holmes in defence.

At the other end of the ground the Hawks’ attack is led by Lewin Davis, 34 goals; Noah Wheeler, 21; and Darcy Richards, 20.

The Hawks also regain co-captain Cameron McGlashan from injury.

Key players in South Bendigo’s defence include captain Zac Hare, Braydan Torpey, Cameron Taggert and Andrew van Heumen.

A highlight of this match will be the ruck duels where Hawks have Connor Dalgleish to take on Mac Cameron.

At ground level it’s Hawks’ co-captain Billy Evans, Ben Thompson and Noah Wheeler who set up plenty of attacks.

The Bloods will look to Brody Haddow, Cooper Leon and Zac Sims to win their share of contests at centre ball-ups and stoppages.

In the reserves competition, Golden Square takes on Sandhurst in Saturday’s qualifying final from 12.15pm.

This season’s meetings stand at one-all.

Sandhurst won the third round clash at the QEO by 16 points.

In the 12^th round, Golden Square fought for a 39-33 victory at home.

The Bulldogs’ line-up includes Macey Eaton, Alex Jenkyn, Will Lee, Dale Lowry, co-captains Sheldon Burke and Dean Norris, Tanner Rayner and Shaun Young.

Sandhurst’s squad includes Harrison Monk, Brodie Montague, Will Moran, Sean O’Farrell, Xavier Walsh and Lachlan Zimmer.

The ladder-leading Eaglehawk won through to the second semi.

On Sunday it will be Strathfieldsaye against Gisborne in the Harmac Homes-backed reserves elimination final from 12.15pm.

A round one thriller between Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye at Gardiner Reserve ended in a 64-59 victory for the red, white and blue.

Next time it was Storm which took the points in a 52-30 result at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.

Storm’s line-up includes Lachlan Bonney, Ethan and Jai Featherby, Carson James, captain Wade Kinniburgh and Jordan Wilson.

Key players for Gisborne include Jarrad Lynch, Michael Steinbach, Hayden Doricic, Harry Manders, Anthony Belcher and Boyd Nalder.

Last season’s grand finalists, Gisborne and Sandhurst meet in the qualifying final of the SportsPower-sponsored under-18s competition at 10.15am on Saturday.

The Bulldogs belted the Dragons by 11 goals in the seventh round at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

In the 16^th round it was the Dragons who fired up to win 69-51 on the QEO turf.

Gisborne’s team includes ruckman Lewis Gordon, captain Alex Carr,  Frankie Ellis, Jacob Grinter, Jack Clough, Jarrod Ainsworth, Lachie Bianco and Kane Minns.

The Dragons’ line-up includes Jacob Austin, Thaine Bake, Louis Banfield, Henry Edwards, Logan Kilcullen, Daniel Noden and Wil Pinniger.

Maryborough and Strathfieldsaye will fight to stay in the premiership race when they contest the elimination final from 10.15am on Sunday.

In round nine, Maryborugh won 96-42 at its Princes Park home.

Storm won 60-50 at Triple M Park in the 17^th round.

A  Magpies’ team captain by Aidan Medlyn includes Taj Bond, Kaian Constable, Liam Freeman, Jake Gavriliadis, Damon Nitschke and Diesel Palmer.

Ruckman Tate Lowther, captain Evan Cole, Daan Lodewijks, Jesse Gill, Declan Lowther, Lincoln McKern and Siologa Siu are among the key players in Storm’s line-up.

EAGLEHAWK and Golden Square were victorious in the weekend’s start to the footy finals in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Hawks stayed in the premiership race by beating South Bendigo in Sunday’s elimination final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

In the home-and-away series Eaglehawk had beaten South Bendigo both times.

Despite its wayward kicking at goal, Eaglehawk was too strong as it ended the Bloods’ run in ’23.

The Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk led 45-31 at half-time and then scored 4.9 to 2.2 in the third quarter.

Key forward Darcy Richards made a welcome return for the Borough and finished with a match-high four goals in a 14.20 (104) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Other multiple goalkickers for the Hawks were co-captains Billy Evans and Cameron McGlashan on two and Jack O’Shannessy also booted two majors.

The Bloods were kept in check by a tight-knit Borough defence.

The skilful Brock Harvey was South Bendigo’s only multiple goalkicker on two.

Eaglehawk’s best were Billy Evans, Clayton Holmes, Joel Mullen, Dylan Hanley, Oscar Madden and Dillon Williams.

Best for the Bloods were Mac Cameron, Oscar White, Brody Haddow, Braydan Torpey, Will Keck and coach Nathan Horbury.

Eaglehawk will now meet Strathfieldsaye in next Sunday’s first semi-final.

Storm will be desperate to minimise the skill errors following a 26-point loss to Golden Square in Saturday’s qualifying final.

Whether it was real or perceived pressure, Strathfieldsaye made a lot of mistakes on which Golden Square capitalised.

It was a brilliant start to the contest by the Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs as they scored 6.3 to 2.4 in the first term.

Storm worked hard to be within 16 points at the 22-minute of the second term, but a hat-trick of goals gave Golden Square a 35-point by the long break.

With wingman Tom Strauch, Jack Hickman and backman Jon Coe winning plenty of the footy, Golden Square won the third term, 15-14.

Storm did lift to outscore the Dogs in the last, 21-11, but it was Golden Square which marked an 87-61 victory and moved to a second semi-final showdown with Sandhurst.

Joel Brett led the Dogs’ attack on fur goals as Tom Toma kicked two.

Multiple goalkickers for Strathfieldsaye were Jed Brereton and co-captains Jake Moorhead and Lachlan Sharp with two.

The Bulldogs’ best included ruckman Matt Compston, Ryan Hartley and Jack Threlfall.

Mitch Hallinan, Matt Harvey, Callum McCarty, Jake Moorhead, Daniel Clohesy and Tim Hosking were Strathfieldsaye’s best.

In the Harmac Homes reserves competition it was big wins for Sandhurst in the qualifying final, and Strathfieldsaye in the elimination final.

On Saturday, Sandhurst took on Golden Square.

The Dragons dominated the opening half.

Sandhurst led 19-1 at quarter-time and then scored 4.3 to just two behinds in the second for a 46-3 lead by the long break.

The next two quarters were evenly fought, but went Sandhurst’s way, 20-12 and 15-13.

Connor Sexton kicked three goals and nine team-mates chipped in with a goal as Sandhurst won 12.9 (81) to 4.4 (28).

Best for the Dragons were Harrison Monk, Lachlan Zimmer, Brodie Montague, Harrison Free, Martin Leyden and Campbell Rowland.

Dale Lowry, Liam Thomas, Tanner Rayner, Mitch Knox, Mitch Treacy and Jack Vinnicombe were Golden Square’s best.

The Dragons take on Eaglehawk in next Saturday’s second semi-final.

Strathfieldsaye faced Gisborne in Sunday’s elimination final.

Storm led 27-9 at half-time and the pressure did not let up as it won the next two quarters, 21-8 and 27-12.

Jordan Wilson kicked three goals as Lachlan Bonney, Ethan Featherby and Edward Hayes added two each in an 11.9 (75) to 4.5 (29) result.

Gisborne’s attack was led by Hayden Doricic on two.

Best for Storm were Joseph Mayes, Darcy Mulquiny, Lachlan Bonney, Ed Hayes, Carson James and Charles Dole.

Jarrad Lynch, Leon Thiner, Matthew Jinkins, Boyd Nalder, Sean Merrett and Harry Manders worked hard for Gisborne.

In the SportsPower-backed under-18s competition, Maryborough won the elimination final against Strathfieldsaye by 25 points.

The Magpies led 21-15 at half-time and 35-22 at a quarter to play.

In the last, Maryborough scored 4.1 to 2.1 to complete a 60-35 victory.

Taj Bond and Kaian Constable kicked three goals for the Magpies.

Storm’s attack was led by Jaidi Jackson-Leahy with two goals.

Best for Maryborough were Lachlan Bursill, Kaian Constable, Lucas Hurse, Damon Nitschke, Tom Myers and Tyson Hoban.

Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Lincoln McKern, Hugh Behrens, Zac Grieve, Declan Lowther and Evan Cole played well for Strathfieldsaye.

The Magpies will now tackle Sandhurst in the first semi.

First-up this finals series were Gisborne and Sandhurst in Saturday’s under-18s qualifying final.

Despite its inaccurate kicking, Gisborne was well in control as it led 3.10 (28) to 1.3 (9) at half-time.

The Bulldogs won the third, 19-7, and then added 3.5 to a goal in the last for a 70-22 victory.

Ed Williams kicked three goals and Jarrod Ainsworth added two majors for Gisborne.

Dragons’ captain Alex Carr kicked two goals.

Best for Gisborne were Jarrod Ainsworth, Ed Williams, Frankie Ellis, Lachlan Evans, Jack Long and Kane Minns.

Jack English, Wil Pinniger, Deakin Andrews, Declan Delaney, Daniel Noden and Declan Stevenson were Sandhurst’s best.

The win put Gisborne into a second semi-final clash with Golden Square.

Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals:

Under-18s at 10.15am: Golden Square v Gisborne.

Reserves at 12.15pm: Eaglehawk v Sandhurst.

Seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Golden Square.

Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals:

Under-18s at 10.15am: Sandhurst v Maryborough.

Reserves at 12.15pm: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.

Seniors at 2.20pm: Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk.

The Two Blues won two more Bendigo Football League premierships either side of World War 2, in 1941 and 1946.

The BFL had shrunk in size as World War 2’s requirements for fit, young men escalated with Kyneton withdrawing in June 1940.

The Tigers’ exit was followed soon after by Maryborough and Rochester and after the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbour (Hawaii) in December 1941 the entire league went into recess from the proposed start of the 1942 season to 1944.

Kyneton eventually re-joined in 1947, two years after the peace treaties had been signed.

But in the 1946 season to top up the club numbers Elmore had joined for one year.

That was it for present day Heathcote DFNL club Elmore --- just the ’46 season.

In late 1941 the Two Blues marked eventual Team of the Century big man Fred Trewarne’s final game for Eaglehawk.

Fred had started out in footy with the Sailor’s Gully club, before first donning the Hawks’ guernsey in 1923.

Eighteen seasons later, in 1941, Fred’s great career ended with Eaglehawk a comfortable 38-point grand final winner over South Bendigo: 17.16 to 11.14.

He played 350-plus games for the Borough with three premierships to his name and playing in, and captaining, many representative BFL sides.

And amazingly enough Fred was a great exponent of a lost footy art.

That’s the place kick, when the ball is placed on a small, grassy mound and tilted forwards slightly so the boot can slide underneath and roost it goalwards.

He was what the Bendigo Addy of the day called “a crowd favourite” when folks could see Fred preparing his little mound before the kick.

And then after the war the late, great Harold “Wicky” Toma led the somewhat deflated Eaglehawk contingent from eight goals down at the last change to sneak home by four points in the 1946 Big Dance.

‘Wicky’ was a great player himself rotating between the centreman position and the half-forward flank depending on which club the Hawks were up against and which opponents he had to line-up on.

He could also play as a rebounding half-back flanker.

The 1946 flag was Harold’s third. He’d played in the successful 1935 and 1941 premiership-winning Eaglehawk teams and he took over as captain-coach the year after WW2 ended.

He lived until he was 104. I remember interviewing him at his Eaglehawk house on the occasion of his ‘ton’ --- his 100^th birthday.

Harold proudly showed me the congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II and other mementoes relating to his extraordinary long life.

It was a very emotional time for me. After shaking hands with ‘Wicky’ and wishing him all the best I sat in the car for a while reflecting on what an extraordinary event it had been.

Interviewing a centenarian on the day just after his 100^th birthday.

Apart from ‘Wicky’, Eaglehawk kept alive its tradition of producing strong footy families with the Daly brothers --- Alan, Keith, Roy and Harold --- and the Crawford brothers --- Jack, Ted, Peter, Bill, Frank and Charlie.

The senior Crawford, Dad Bill, is still acknowledged as Eaglehawk’s longest serving president. A revered personality he was club boss from 1946 to 1961.

He didn’t stand down in ’61, though, before at the official ceremony he’d opened the clubrooms which used to grace Canterbury Park until fairly recent years.

Another outstanding club administrator was Frank Davies, Two Blues’ secretary for 18 years: 1935 to 1953.

Ernie “Soda” Munday was club treasurer for 18 years, succeeded by the late Jack Taylor who painstakingly watched over the club’s finances for an amazing 25 years between 1947 to 1972.

Jack also served on the Borough Town Council for 27 years and was Mayor five times.

I worked with Jack in 2005 on the Eaglehawk Team of the 20^th Century selection committee. His knowledge of players’ abilities from just prior to WW2 right down to the present era was outstanding.

He was 97 when he passed away and importantly had a flag to his name. Jack had played in the 1941 premiership-winning team.

Going back to the 1946 premiership team and there’s some great names there apart from ‘Wicky’.

Jack and Ted Crawford were in the 18 along with George Ennor, Russell Robertson, ‘Snowy’ Chinn, Eric Paynter and Clive Evely.

The Two Blues were actually trounced in the 1948 grannie in an uncharacteristic poor forward line display.

The Hurst won by a tad more than 10 goals --- 16.24 to 8.9.

Leaving that poor form behind them it was onwards to the Fifties, especially to 1951 when one of the greatest grand finals in BFNL history was played.

It was when a total of 44 goals were kicked and even though gun full-forward Harry Morgan nailed nine of the Borough’s 20 majors South Bendigo still won: 24.12 (156) to Eaglehawk’s 20.8 (128).

And only a couple of seasons later Harry equalled the BFL record for the most goals landed in a single game.

He drilled 24 majors in three quarters.

Before sitting out the final term on the bench so he’d be ready for the finals the following Saturday.

That tally of 24 goals equalled Dave Mahoney’s 24 majors which he’d nailed for Bendigo City back in 1913.

So following on from the disappointment of ’51 the Hawks broke through again in 1953 with former Carlton full-back Ollie Grieve leading the side to a three-goal win over the Maroons.

Sandhurst wasn’t able to tally much of a score as the Borough ran out reasonably comfortable victors: 12.13 to 9.12.

And so onto my great old Sports Star of the Year committee colleague, the late Basil Ashman, who made history twice in the 1950s.

He was the first Borough player to win two best and fairest awards (1953, 1954) and then in 1957 Baz became the youngest-ever BFL player to captain-coach a premiership side.

Eaglehawk downed Kyneton in a fast-paced, long kicking 1957 grand final and won 14.17 (101) tyo Kyneton 10.11 (71).

There was a famous framed black and white photograph of Basil being chaired off the QEO by his ecstatic teammates.

It used to hang right above the fireplace in the BFL’s old headquarters --- the QEO building behind the city end goals.

That building, until recent seasons the HQ of the BFL, had once been the home for the head QEO and Rosalind Park caretaker and his family.

The Fifties were a great decade for the Two Blues.

The club produced a heap of star players for the then VFL including Jack Slattery and Kevin Smith to Footscray: now the Western Bulldogs.

But look at the list of gun footballers who joined Geelong: Doug Palmer, Clive Brown, Bruce Peake, Hugh Routley, Max Hetherington and of course one of the then VFL’s top rovers: Peter Pianto.

Pianto had won Eaglehawk’s club fairest and best award in 1948 before signing on with Geelong and he played in the Cats’ back-to-back premiership sides in 1951-1952.

He then went on to win Geelong’s fairest and best award in 1953 (C’wood def. Geelong in that grannie), represented Victoria six times and was named as an All-Australian in 1956.

As a coach he led Geelong to the 1967 VFL grand final and he also coached Victoria in 1967.

And I can say as an avid Cats fan I’ve actually seen Pianto in action, and on the MCG no less.

As a tiny primary schoolboy in 1951 I was there for the ‘51 Big Dance when we beat Essendon: 11.15 (81) to 10.10 (70).

As I’ve mentioned before Essendon coach and three-time Brownlow Medallist Dick Reynolds was supposed to be in retirement mode.

But he came on as the grand final’s 20^th man in a desperate last quarter replacement to try and boost his Red and Black teammates. It didn’t work and Geelong held on.

But looking back we weren’t known as the Cats not long after WW2. Just after WW2 and into the Fifties Geelong was known as the Pivotonians --- the pivot city for huge shipments of wool and wheat from Victoria’s wealthy Western District, bound for Europe and the USA.

Back to those early 1940s BFL grand final scores –

1941: Eaglehawk 17.16 (118) def. Sth. Bendigo 11.14 (80) and

1946, Eaglehawk 14.10 (94) def. Golden Square 13.12 (90).

I’ve heard, and written, about all sorts of footy stories but none after a stolen football was returned to its owner, leading to the formation of an important club.

But that’s the folklore behind the founding of the mighty Eaglehawk Football and Netball Club.

It seems that in early 1880 Jim Steward had bought his son a brand new footy and it was put to solid use on what is now Canterbury Park oval.

But a slight hitch occurred. Young Steward and his mates were interrupted by another group of lads, headed by ‘King’ Williams and Charlie Carter, who headed off with the new pill.

Fences were mended and forces were eventually joined by the Steward, Carter and Williams families and a team was formed.

A match between the newly-born Eaglehawk outfit and established Coachbuilders footy club (1878-1886, disbanded 1887) which was a member club of the Bendigo Football Association --- now the BFNL --- was arranged.

Although the Eaglehawk-based side lost it was decided to call a meeting to officially form a footy club.

At that time Eaglehawk was a thriving goldfields town of around 15,000 and as fortunes were found and lost in the mines footy was starting to find a real role as a recreational pastime.

So the meeting went ahead in the rear of a store on High Street, in what was known as the ‘Cripps room’.

It was there that the distinctive two blues colours were decided upon for the new club, Eaglehawk.

This is how the formation of the Eaglehawk club was reported upon.

“In deciding on the Two Blues the new club set out on the right footing from its very inception.

“No other club can boast of the traditional colours of the two most famous universities in the world – Cambridge and Oxford.

“The dark blue of Oxford and light blue of Cambridge were selected because of the keen rivalry of the originators of the club, each university being equally represented on the goldfields by former students, men of great foresight who had the wisdom to come together and form one grand and happy club.”

Mayor of Eaglehawk Mr George Loudon presided at the foundation meeting, Tom Young was elected as secretary and Jack Shoosmith was appointed the new club’s first captain.

It was decided that the club would be based at Canterbury Park, a proposal which presented a huge problem.

The reserve was then basically a ‘slum’ bank with the overflow from the nearby, highly lucrative Virginia Mine, flowing into it.

But volunteer workers eventually cleared the sludge and made certain that Canterbury Park would be a first-class oval for the new footy club and its opponents.

So the Two Blues prospered and won their first premiership in 1882 with Charlie Leggo as coach, in the days when finishing top-of-the-ladder ensured winning the flag with no finals then in vogue.

Eaglehawk turned into the then Bendigo Footy Association’s ‘trump card’, notching back-to-back premierships in 1882 and 1883 and then again in 1886-1887.

The Hawks’ fifth pennant came in 1889 with Jim Steward, father of the boy who’d had his footy stolen, playing as a sterling full-back in those later 1880s sides.

He was also in the last line of defence when Eaglehawk won in 1894 and was dubbed the ‘Waterbury Invincibles’.

I’ve mentioned this in earlier articles but the Waterbury Watch Company in a 1894 Victorian statewide competition donated 20 gold watches to the club which kicked the greatest number of goals in 18 regular season matches.

A few words about Waterbury. It was a well known late 19th century watch and clock manufacturer, the first one to produce a watch that the average-man-in-the-street could afford.

Up until that time watches were the possessions of the wealthy.

Spokesmen for the watch company announced that every Victorian club was eligible to enter the competition.

But Eaglehawk faced a unique problem after winning the 1894 BFA premiership, undefeated, as they’d played just 16 matches.

The Two Blues needed two more matches to qualify for the watches contest, so officials hurriedly arranged for those games to be played against representative teams from the Maryborough and Echuca leagues.

They won both, added another 17 goals to their tally while conceding just two. They entered the Waterbury competition with the impressive total of 158 goals.

Having clinched the title of the ‘Waterbury Invincibles’ Eaglehawk played an Upper Reserve representative match against a cobbled together Bendigo team and won: 6.8 to 4.5.

Thousands of spectators crammed into the Upper Reserve for the big game.

Looking back to the Waterbury competition the Hawk’ total of 158 majors was eight better than Essendon’s 150 goals and Beechworth, in third place.

Remembering that this was 1894 and three years before the VFL was founded. So Essendon was a competition member club of the then Victorian Football Association.

They went on to take home their fourth consecutive VFA premiership in 1894, losing just three matches in those four seasons.

Essendon was then known as the “Same Olds”.

The club played at the East Melbourne oval, but sang the winner’s song ‘The Same Olds’ to remind supporters that they were still the same, old Essendon.

But there’s a sad and poignant ending to the 1894 Waterbury season.

The boat carrying the original gold watches sank on its journey from England to Australia, so the firm’s Victorian representatives instead presented 40 nickel watches --- one for each player and one each for his wife or ‘ladyfriend’.

From that spectacular season, with E. Hummel as the captain, Eaglehawk won the premiership in five, successive years (1894-1898), and by the time the 20th century rolled along had won an amazing 10 BFA flags in total.

Many player awards have come the way of Eaglehawk footballers and netballers.

Footy, Michelsen Medals: Greg Kennedy (1971), Alan ‘Bruiser’ Williams (1974), Des English (1978), Reece Langan (2000), Lucas Mathews (2001), Kain Robins (2006), Shannon Milward (2008), Josh Bowe (2010), Brodie Filo (2015).

Grand final Nalder Medallists – Rhys Healey (2007); Damien Lock (2008); Jonty Neaves (2018).

Goalkicking, later Ron Best Medal: Frank Crapper (1930, ‘32, ’34) Mancel Davies (1935, ’36, ’38), Harry Morgan (1948, ’51, ’52, ’53), Merv Hicks (1961), Greg Kennedy (1970, ’71), Keith Raynor (1972, tied with Peter Hutcheson, South Bendigo), Daryl Gilmore (1982, ’84, 1991), Damien Brown (2007), Matt Gretgrix (2013, ’15).

Gilmore finished on 214 games, 812 majors with 100-plus scored in 1982 (113) and 1984 (120).

Netball, A grade premiers: 1992, 1996, 1998-99, 2012. Betty Thompson A grade medallists: Genevieve Slater (1998), Ashley Ryan (2019).

Still to come: the Two Blues in the 1930s, winning the flag in 1935 to snap Sandhurst’s run of six, consecutive premierships.

In recognition of chairman Zach Harvey and my fellow selectors on the panel which had the responsibility of naming Eaglehawk’s Team of the 20th Century, announced August 2005.

Six new coaches were appointed over summer in 2010 as BFNL clubs prepared for the 2011 season.

There were some top names among the appointments, headlined by Maryborough’s Michelsen Medallist Matt Aston and Gisborne’s ‘Rolls Royce’ Luke Saunders.

The other quartet of new faces included Luke Monaghan (Eaglehawk), Derrick ‘Dekka’ Filo (Kyneton), Darryl Wilson (Strathfieldsaye) and Tony Graham (Sandhurst).

Graham wasn’t a brand-new mentor, though. He’d led the Dragons from 1997 to 2000 including a 1998 grand final loss to Maryborough by 47 points.

He took over from Sandhurst stalwart Kieran Nihill who’d served a three-year stint.

Going through the others alphabetically club-wise, Monaghan was at the Canterbury Park helm following Filo’s eight-season era which had resulted in two senior premierships.

Monaghan had previously coached the Hawks under-18s from 2005 to 2007 and he’d then had three years as the Bendigo Pioneers assistant coach.

Four-time premiership player and Michelsen medallist Saunders took over the Graveyard duties from Ty Elliott.

Not only had he played in the Bulldogs’ string of flag wins he’d also captained the successful sides in 2005 and 2006.

Saunders’ Gisborne side went down to Golden Square in the classic 2012 grannie which wasn’t decided until the final kick of the day.

Final scores: Square 16.10 (106) def. Gisborne 14.19 (103).

A Michelsen Medallist just like Saunders, Aston headed into his first coaching role at Princes Park.

He took over from Shane Fisher who’d led the Maryborough Magpies for three, consecutive seasons.

Filo had previously coached the Kyneton Tigers from 1995 to 1997, leading them to their famous flags in 1995 and 1997.

He’d also coached Kangaroo Flat from 2000 to 2002 taking the Roos to the 2000 grand final against Castlemaine where poor kicking let the Roos down.

Final scores: Castlemaine 12.11 (83) def. Kangaroo Flat 9.17 (71).

Filo took over from Paul Houston who’d coached the Tigers for two seasons: 2009-2010.

Although we didn’t know it then, a dozen years back, Strath Storm’s Wilson would become the most successful and prominent coach of the modern era.

He’d been in charge at Dower Park in 2008 and 2009 and had suceeded in leading the Roos to the 2009 preliminary final.

Final scores: South Bendigo 16.11 (107) def. K. Flat 10.15 (75). The Roos had downed Eaglehawk and Gisborne in earlier finals in that 2009 season.

And then out at Tannery Lane Darryl has moulded the BFNL’s premier side of the modern era as the Storm won flags in 2014-15 and then again in 2017 and 2019.

So that was the list of 2011’s brand new incoming coaches.

But four senior coaches from 2010 had stayed on for the upcoming season.

Premiership mentor Nick Carter would lead Golden Square for another season although he took a couple of weeks after the Wade Street Dogs 2010 flag celebrations had eased off to re-sign with his club.

Paul Eyles was returning for a return stint with Castlemaine and like Carter was going to be back for a second year.

However, Eyles had also enjoyed an earlier crack at coaching in the early Noughties.

He led the Camp Reserve Pies in 2004-2005.

Third returning coach was Murray Collins at Kangaroo Flat who, like Carter and Eyles, was saddling up for a second year.

Longest serving coach to re-sign was South’s Rick Coburn who was going into his fifth season.

He’d taken the Bloods to two second finishes in 2009 and 2010 along with 3^rd and 4^th placings, but sources had told footy writers the Bloods would go into 2011 with a much younger list.

2009 grand final: G Square 16.12 def. S. Bendigo 10.11 and 2010 grand final, G. Square 11.21 def. S. Bendigo 8.10.

So how did this impressive array of coaches end up as September in 2011 wound to a close?

Well, Carter’s Square finished unbeaten on top  of the ladder with an 18 win-0 loss record and cantered home in the grand final over Eaglehawk by 135 points.

They restricted the Two Blues to just five majors for the day.

At the other end of the table Filo’s Tigers didn’t win a game so they finished up with the exact reverse to Square: 0 wins and 18 losses.

So the ladder read at the end of August: Golden Square 18 wins, 0 losses, 72 prem. points, 267.3%; Eaglehawk 13-5, 52, 133.5%; Gisborne 12-6, 48, 142.99%; Sandhurst 11-7, 44, 130.5%; South Bendigo 11-7, 44, 117.4%.

Outside the Five: S’saye Storm 9-9, 36, 124.1%; Maryborough 9-9, 36, 81.8%; Kang. Flat 5-13, 20, 84.8%; C’maine 2-16, 8 prem. points, 55.9% and Kyneton 0-18, 0 points, 27.45%.

So Carter ended 2011 with a brilliant season -- home and away and finals. An unbeaten season for the Square.

And apart from the disastrous grand final Monaghan’s Two Blues did OK. As did Saunders with the Graveyard Dogs reaching the preliminary final.

Graham and Coburn probably rated in the 60-65 per cent mark as both clubs were gone by the end of the second week of the finals.

Wilson’s Storm were pretty new to the BFNL in 2011 so he gets a pass mark and so does Aston with the Princes Park Pies.

Both clubs had a nine win-nine loss record

Eyles and ‘Muzza’ Collins fall short of a pass mark, but at least the Roos under Collins scraped together five wins.

But Filo’s at the bottom of the barrel with the winless Tigers not setting any benchmarks at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

And there were some familiar faces in district coaching ranks for the 2011 season.

In the Heathcote DFNL North Bendigo had appointed Damien Lock, who’d played 18 AFL games for Carlton in 1998 and 1999.

Locky was also an Eaglehawk premiership player and back a little further in his footy career had won the VFL’s Bendigo Diggers fairest and best award.

Ash Wilson was the new coach at HDFL club Huntly. He’d enjoyed a fine career with Kangaroo Flat and had later coached premiership sides at Wandella and in partnership with Barry Pitson took Mitiamo to their 1999 flag.

Matt Pinniger was back in familiar territory at Colbinabbin as he took over from Brent Millar who’d led the Grasshoppers to the 2008 HDFNL flag.

At Mount Pleasant well-travelled local footy personality Denis Grinton had been named as the Mounts coach.

He took over from former Gisborne star Shane Davis who’d handed in his resignation in November 2010.

But it was a late appointment for Mounts as Grinton’s coaching job wasn’t revealed until mid-December.

Jason ‘Jugga’ Stevens was the new man at White Hills having stepped up from assistant coach.

Stevens served under Brent Dyer and for the 2011 season would have ex-South Bendigo outside midfielder Gavin Bowles as his assistant.

Incoming coaches in the LVFL for 2011 included Phil Walsh (YCW) who’d previously coached the Eagles to their 1997 flag.

Jim Angove was taking up the reins at the Marong Panthers, Phil Birchmore was to helm Newbridge while up at Pyramid Hill Leigh Davies was taking over from Shawn Filo whose health issues meant he had to step down.

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Bendigo Football Netball League will be held on Wednesday 18th January 2023, at The Bendigo Club (22 Park St, Strathdale), commencing at 7.30pm. 

Light refreshments and nibbles will be available following the meeting.

Please find below official notice of the annual general meeting, along with a Board of Management Nomination form for any prospective BFNL Board members.

Please take note of the submission deadline for Board nomination forms, along with any other general business to be considered by the Board.

General Business submission deadline: Wednesday 5th January 2022 at 6.00pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Rochester and Collingwood ruckman Ray Willett has his name stamped in BFNL history.

He’s one of just three footballers to have won a BFL premiership, the Michelsen Medal and the top goalkicking award for the season all in the one year.

This happened in 1962 when Rochy downed Golden Square by nine points in the grand final, and Ray was on top of the goalkicking table with 72 majors.

So how did Ray Willett end up at Rochester?

He’d been appointed head teacher at the tiny Strathallan school after 20 VFL games with the Collingwood Magpies.

“The day after I was appointed to the Strathallan school Rochy secretary Jack Green came knocking on the door,” Ray remembers.

“He was on my doorstep in suburban Melbourne to sell me the benefits of signing with the Rochester club.

“He was a brilliant secretary and his timing was perfect.

“I was sick of the stinking mud at Victoria Park and when I visited the oval at Rochy it was like a bowling green,” he recalls.

The footy maestro remembers his decision to play at Rochester was very popular with the Strathallan community.

“The eight children and virtually all of their parents were Rochester supporters,” he said.

Ray recalled his time at Collingwood back in the day.

He’d signed with the Magpies straight out of school and amazingly his fourth, fifth and sixth games with Collingwood were all finals, including the 1960 ‘grannie’.

In a low scoring match, the Magpies lost the 1960 grand final to Melbourne, 8.14 (62) to 2.2 (14).

He played just another eight VFL games in 1961 before heading to the bush.

Ray not only played in Rochester’s 1962 premiership-winning team, but backed up the following season when Rochy downed Kyneton: 16.22 to 10.14.

He fondly remembers his ’62 season when he booted 72 goals and inter-changed in the forward pocket with Noel ‘Chooka’ Howe who hammered home 50 majors.

“It was a ‘Pagan’s paddock’ sort of arrangement and well ahead of its time when Pagan ended up coaching North Melbourne,” Ray recalls.

“Noel and I interchanged between the ruck and the key forward post.”

And he made headlines again in 1964 when, back at Collingwood, Ray nailed six goals against Fitzroy in his first game back.

He played just five more games for the Pies under coach Bobby Rose, but the Collingwood legend approached Ray again, this time when he was coaching Wangaratta.

Willett had been one of the BFL’s best in an interleague win in 1963 so, following Bobby’s approach, Ray ended up in another major league: this time the Goulburn Valley.

Ray also won three Morrison medals in the Goulburn Valley Football League to go with his Michelsen.

Later in his career Ray was posted to Rutherglen to teach and because the family lived beside the Murray in Corowa he played for Corowa in the Ovens and Murray F.L.

He’d ride his bicycle to and from Rutherglen for his school duties, but with Corowa he finished runner-up to Bruce Waite (Myrtleford) by one vote in the 1972 OMFL Morris Medal count.

In another interesting little sidelight anecdote Ray Willett tutored current Sydney Swans coach John Longmire in the art of forward play when ‘Horse’ was playing for the Corowa Thirds.

And the final scores in that BFL grand final, 1962: Rochester 9.17 (71) def. G. Square 7.20 (62).

Oh, and before I forget, the other triple honours winners with a flag, a Michelsen Medal and the goalkicking award all tucked away in the one year are Greg Kennedy (Eaglehawk) in 1971 and Strathfieldsaye Storm’s Lachlan Sharp in 2017.

Kennedy drilled 139 goals and Sharpy 142 in their flag-winning seasons.

And of course Rochy played in four, consecutive BFL grand finals (from ’62 on) in the Sixties. Here’s the results of the other three.

1963: Rochester 16.22 def. Kyneton 10.14; 1964: G. Square 10.10 def. Rochy 9.7 and 1965: G. Square 12.19 def. Rochester 11.11.