Goals flow freely in Bloods’ big win at Broadford
GOALS flowed freely for the Bloods from South Bendigo in Saturday’s senior footy clash at Broadford to kick off the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season.
Many fans made their way to Harley Hammond Reserve for the highly-anticipated debut of Broadford in the league and its return to action after a two-season recess.
The Kangaroos have former Hawthorn and North Melbourne forward/ruckman Nathan Thompson who made his way to the big league from Kyneton and the Bendigo Pioneers as coach.
Bolstered by the inclusion of several experienced players and classy midfielders, South Bendigo showed no mercy as it slammed on 32 goals in what became a 215-point victory.
The Bloods raced to a 49-nil lead by quarter-time and then slammed on 10 goals in the second term as Broadford’s sole score for the half was a behind.
The Kangaroos broke the goal drought in the 24th minute of the third when Tynan Howard was a on target.
A couple of minutes later and Rhys Carman slotted Broadford’s second major.
At the other end of the ground it was Kaiden Antonowicz who capped off many of the Bloods’ attacks.
South Bendigo led 169-13 at a quarter to play and then added seven goals in the final term.
Antonowicz capped a best-on-ground performance with 11 goals.
Emotions swung dramatically near the final siren when Antonowicz hurt his knee in a marking contest.
The Bloods will sweat on the result of scans.
South Bendigo had 12 players slot a goal or more.
Multiple goalkickers for the red and white were Brody Haddow, Brock Harvey and Alex Smith, three; Mac Cameron, Coen Harker, Tom Templeton and Anthony Zimmerman, two.
Best for the Bloods were Antonowicz, Harker, co-coach Jack Fallon, Haddow, Will Allen, and Alex Smith.
Broadford’s best were Jaiden Magor, Brodie Stray, Louis Thompson, Taiten Thomas and captain Adam Miles.
It was a tough start for Broadford in all grades of football, but Roos fans were rapt to see their town being represented once again.
In the reserves, Regan Harvey kicked five goals as the Bloods won 23.14 (152) to 0.1 (1).
South Bendigo’s best were Toby Hardingham, Regan Harvey and Zac Sims.
Best for Broadford were Tyrell Dunne, Sean Duggan and Nic May.
The league’s first footy clash of the season ended in a 135-3 victory for South Bendigo’s under-18s team.
On the netball court, South Bendigo made a strong start to its ’26 campaign at Broadford.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods scored an 87-25 victory.
In B-grade the Bloods won 53-16.
It was a 76-13 victory for South Bendigo in B-reserve.
Closest contest on the netball courts was in 17-and-under where South Bendigo claimed a 47-20 victory.
Broadford is not fielding an A-reserve or 15-and-under team.
South Bendigo makes its way to Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park on Good Friday to take on Storm from 2.20pm.
Non-playing co-coach of the Bloods, Troy Coates was a premiership-winning coach of Strathfieldsaye in 2019.
Storm has appointed Jeff Andrews as non-playing coach.
At Castlemaine, Bailey Henderson marks his senior coaching debut as the Magpies tackle Golden Square at Camp Reserve.
Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat will clash in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Gardiner Reserve.
On Easter Saturday it’s the rematch of ’25 grand finalists Eaglehawk and Sandhurst on the Borough’s turf at Canterbury Park.
Broadford has the bye.
Next hit-out for the Kangaroos will be on April 11 against Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
