South Bendigo

Alan Martin became a key figure in Bendigo football in the 1950s following a stellar career with VFL club Footscray.

He was an important member of the Bulldogs very first VFL premiership team in 1954 but after 105 games with Footscray, kicking eight goals, he’d had enough and wanted a quieter footy stage.

So in 1955 Bendigo footy was the winner when Martin signed on as coach of Golden Square

But first just a bit of background on Alan Martin. His senior career started at the tender age of 15 in the Stawell District F.L.

He mainly played at full-back and then after a season with Minyip headed off to the Ballarat Teachers’ College where he was recruited by the Golden Point club.

Alan was a premiership player, lining up again at full-back, in the Point’s 1947-1948 premiership sides.

He took out Point’s 1948 fairest and best award --- a great effort considering one of his teammates became known as the Geelong Flyer, Bobby ‘Woofer’ Davis.

So it was no surprise Alan’s abilities and skills came under close scrutiny from VFL clubs and it’s no exaggeration to record that most of the then 12 clubs had representatives treading the path to his front door.

He almost signed with Carlton but eventually it was the persistence of Footscray’s recruiters who won the day.

Why, you ask? Well, it turns out the Bulldog officials offered Alan board and lodgings and surprisingly he’d accepted even though he had to pay most of his own rent.

Just like Geelong’s Swan Hill recruit Fred Flanagan whose first glimpse of the MCG was the afternoon he ran out to make his maiden appearance, the first VFL game Alan Martin saw was the one he played in.

It was also at the MCG with Martin never even having been to Melbourne before in his adolescent days.

He was a Dogs’ regular over the next six seasons and was never dropped to the VFL Reserves.

Alan played in a number of field positions yet on the Western Oval it was on the half-back flank where he was most prominent.

The ’54 Bulldog defence was one of the tightest in the then VFL’s history and held the record of having the least number of points scored against them during home-and-away matches for many, many seasons.

Martin immediately impressed Footscray by winning the Best First Year player award and also the Best Clubman trophy.

In 1953 he was runner-up to star forward Jack Collins in the club fairest and best award with (eventual) AFL Legend Ted Whitten finishing third.

Sports journalists also had Alan under close watch. He was selected in the Sporting Globe’s 1953 Team of the Year, but missed out on Victorian state team selection because of a sprained ankle.

He was only 26 when, just married to wife Betty, they decided to make a change in work and footy north of the Great Divide.

Alan’s services were quickly seized upon by Golden Square.

Martin ended up coaching Golden Square for four years but wasn’t able to land a grand final spot, let alone a flag, for the Wade Street side.

Seven decades ago the Wade Street ground was particularly small.

“The team was always at a disadvantage when it had to play on the large QEO during finals time,” an Addy report said at the time.

Yet interestingly when Martin arrived at Wade Street the club had no official nickname.

The ex-Footscray star seized upon the opportunity he saw and quickly changed the ‘no nickname’ situation.

From 1955 onwards Golden Square became the BFL Bulldogs. And still are.

Alan Martin played 80-plus games for the Square and during his time there was also the BFL captain-coach in their 1957 and 1958 campaigns.

Even though the Blue and Golds lost the 1956 Country Championships grand final to Ballarat Alan won the overall fairest and best award at the carnival.

He played mainly as the centreman for both the Bendigo rep. side and Golden Square and capped off a memorable 1956 by finishing second --- by one vote --- to Rochester ruckman Frank Fitzpatrick in the Michelsen Medal count.

And then by 1959 it was time for a new challenge. So off to South Bendigo he went, courtesy of an intra-club transfer with no money changing hands.

Alan spent the next five years with the Bloods where he clocked up another 100 games.

He won South’s club fairest and best award in 1960 although a flag in the BFL continued to elude the crack player.

He captained South in 1961 and 1962 and while having a very busy footy life coached the Bloods’ Twos --- also in 1962 and then again in 1963.

At the age of 36 Alan Martin retired from competitive footy in 1963.

But he wasn’t finished with local football just yet.

For five years after his retirement Alan Martin wrote BFL match reports for the Bendigo Advertiser and for two years (1966-67) compered television’s ‘All Sports Show’ on TV8.

And then he became alternate chairman of the BFL Tribunal for ten years with retired magistrate Arthur Curtain. Alan was also a member of the Victorian Country Football League’s appeals board

His four sons all played for South Bendigo at various times, too.

Incidentally going back to that ’54 Bulldogs VFL premiership win Alan had played an important role in the Dogs’ defence alongside VFL/AFL Legend Ted Whitten.

Away from footy Alan served as principal at the Eaglehawk North Primary School for a long period of time and in civic affairs was a councillor with the old Strathfieldsaye Shire Council for nine years.

Before I took up the Addy’s position as sports editor in 1979 I’d served 18 months as council affairs reporter.

So I’d been present in the old Shire Hall, reporting on Alan’s tenure especially when he was the president at Strath Shire for one term.

From memory most meetings passed reasonably smoothly although, as I recall and as is the case in many rural council affairs, there was the occasional bit of fiery debate.

As president of Strathfieldsaye Shire Alan smoothed matters over pretty promptly though.

And of course, before I forget, Alan Martin was inducted into the BFL Hall of Fame at the very first function way back in 1986, a season which marked the BFL’s 125^th year.

The only other South Bendigo inductee in the initial group of 20 was rover Colin Rice, the Bloods’ 1968 Michelsen Medallist and their 1969 premiership coach.

Naturally Alan’s name is up on the Bloods’ honour boards.

Sadly, though, Alan Martin passed away in 2004 aged 76.

The Bendigo Football Netball League would like to announce and congratulate the following list of 17 & Under netball players who have been selected in the 2023 BFNL 17 & Under representative squad:

2023 BFNL 17 & UNDER REP SQUAD

• KYLA BYRNE Castlemaine
• MILLIE CASSIDY Maryborough
• EDEN CLIFFORD South Bendigo
• BELLA CONNORS Gisborne
• REESE GILCHRIST Sandhurst
• EMMA KEATING Golden Square
• EMMA JOYCE Gisborne
• LAYLA O'SHEA Strathfieldsaye
• ELLA PATTEN Maryborough
• NEVE PINNER Sandhurst
• JAIDA RACO Sandhurst
• HOLLY SWATTON Golden Square
• DASH TAYLOR Gisborne
• MEGAN WILSON Castlemaine

The Bendigo FNL again welcome Nicole Donnellon and Sharni McPherson as co-coaches of the 17 & Under BFNL representative netball team to compete in the Netball Victoria Association Championships, after successfully leading the BFNL team to the Association Championships Finals in season 2022.

Nicole and Sharni bring a wealth of netball knowledge and growing levels of experience and success at BFNL, State, and regional Academy levels, and will again mentor and develop the brightest BFNL netball talent.

2023 KEY TOURNAMENT DATES
− Sunday 7th May Golden City Tournament (Bendigo)
− Sunday 14th May Echuca Tournament (Echuca)
− Sunday 21st May Netball Vic Association Championship - qualifying (Bendigo)
− Sunday 18th June Netball Vic Association Championship - finals (Melbourne)

BFNL Manager Cameron Tomlins said “The Bendigo Football Netball League sincerely thank all players who were able to commit to the 2023 BFNL netball representative program for showing interest and attending the trial process. We congratulate all players who were selected for the initial 17 & Under squad, who may now receive opportunities to represent the BFNL in 2023”.

“We also thank all players who trialled for season 2023 and were unsuccessful. The overall quality of the recent trials were of an incredibly high standard which is exciting for the future of BFNL netball. The BFNL wish all players the best with their future development and encourage them to trial for representative selection again in the future.”

A GREAT of Golden Square FNC, Jack Geary will mark his 200^th senior footy match when he leads the Bulldogs in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Football Netball League season.

The Bulldogs will be determined to cap Geary’s step into an elite club with victory against the Kyneton Tigers on home turf at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

A five-time premiership player for the Bulldogs, Geary and his team-mates will tackle the Tigers from 2.20pm.

It’s a big test for the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square against Kyneton.

The Bulldogs have kept the majority of the team which reached last season’s preliminary final and will start favourite to take the points against the Paul Chapman-coached Tigers.

A gun midfielder or on-baller for most of his career, Geary was named on a half-back flank.

An attack which has Joel Brett, Jayden Burke and Braydon Vaz as main targets will be tough for Kyneton to hold across four quarters.

Other key players for the Bulldogs include Jon Coe and Will Lee in defence, Ryan Hartley and Liam Barrett in midfield, ruckman Matt Compston, and ruck-rover Ricky Monti.

The blue and gold also welcomes back tough on-baller Tom Toma from Cohuna Kangas.

Plenty of changes have been made at Tigerland.

A huge plus for Kyneton is the return of classy small forward Ethan Foreman after premiership success with Gisborne last season.

Foreman is a previous leading goalkicker for the yellow and black.

The Tigers have also recruited another small forward in Tom Quinn from University Blues.

A defence led by Harrison Huntley, C Fisher and J Safstrom faces a huge challenge.

Other newcomers for Kyneton include ruckman Jayden Eales from Sunbury, and Jordan and Lucas Iudica.

A rematch of last season’s grand finalists, Gisborne at Strathfieldsaye should draw a big crowd to Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

It’s the start of a new era as Brad Fox takes charge as senior coach after the successful run of Rob Waters.

The Bulldogs are without several of their premiership stars, including gun forward Pat McKenna.

This season it’s Jack Reaper who takes the captaincy after McKenna stepped aside from the role because of work commitments.

A formidable Gisborne line-up still has ruckman Braidon Blake, onballer Flynn Lakey, the skilful Sam Graham and Matt Merrett.

The Dogs have plenty of running power through the likes of Mack Lord, Matt Weber and Liam Spear.

Newcomers for the Bulldogs include Jed and Zac Denahy from Castlemaine.

The Darryl Wilson and Shannon Geary-coached Strathfieldsaye will be determined to start well.

There have also been quite a lot of changes to the Storm line-up.

A strong attack will again be led by Michelsen medallist and dual Ron Best medallist, Lachlan Sharp.

The marking power of James Schischka was a highlight in many of Storm’s matches last season.

Storm also named two of the prized recruits, Jack Exell and Alex Powell on a ‘from’ interchange.

Michelsen medallist Jake Moorhead will play a key role in and around the packs, as will Riley Wilson, Callum McCarty and Lachlan Gill.

Storm’s defence led by Ben Lester, Lachie Ratcliffe and Mitchell Hallinan will rely a lot on pressure further up the ground.

South Bendigo marks the start of a new era when it tackles Eaglehawk at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Bloods have played for premiership points at the Neale Street ground in previous years, but the venue is now the Bloods new permanent home for all football and netball teams.

On-field the Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo welcomes back gun small forward Steven Stroobants.

In recent years Stroobants has starred for Rochester in the Goulburn Valley and coached the Tigers last season.

Another key signing for the red and white was ruckman Macgregor Cameron from Monash Blues.

Players to watch for the Bloods include Brock Harvey at full-forward, rover Cooper Leon, Oscar White and Brody Haddow in midfield.

The defensive work of captain Zac Hare, Isaiah Miller, Cameron Taggert and Braydan Torpey will be important.

Biggest recruiting coup in the lead-up to 2023 was former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary deciding to return to Eaglehawk.

The Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen both mark their return to the Two Blues.

Jarryn brings 207 games of AFL experience to the league, and Kallen is a triple premiership winner with Strathfieldsaye.

After finishing on the seventh rung last season the Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk could soar back to the top five.

A talented line-up from the Borough includes Darcy Richards, new captain Cam McGlashan and Liam Marciano in attack, new ruckman Connor Dalgleish from Montmorency, and a centreline of Joel Mullen, Fraser Verhey and Billy Evans.

The Thompsons – Ben, Jack and Sam are all in the Hawks line-up.

Maryborough is on home turf at Princes Park for its clash with Castlemaine.

Both of the Magpies will be keen to mark a victory, especially Maryborough after a winless ’22 campaign.

The Borough has appointed gun on-baller Coby Perry as playing coach.

A wrist injury will keep Perry on the sidelines for a few more weeks.

Massive plus for Maryborough is the return of Bailey Edwards who spent the summer playing for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory.

Edwards is a previous club champion at Maryborough who played for Carisbrook last season.

Key players for the Borough include Joel Swatton from South Bendigo; Brady Neill; Chris Freeeman in the centre or attack; Darcy Bond, Kya Lanfranchi and Luke Bucknall in defence.

Matt Johnston was also named in the Maryborough attack.

A premiership winner with Castlemaine, Brendan Shepherd marks his return to the club as senior coach.

On the recruiting front, Castlemaine has regained previous club champion Matt Filo.

The Magpies will look for big games from the likes of Jackson Hood, David Wilson, Ben Moran, Brodie and Jackson Byrne, and Callum McConachy.

Sandhurst takes on Kangaroo Flat at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Beaten in last season’s elimination final, Sandhurst could mark a dramatic rise.

Ash Connick has stayed on as coach and is joined by Bryce Curnow as playing assistant coach.

A premiership winner and Nalder medallist as best on ground in a Strathfieldsaye grand final victory, Curnow played in Kerang’s premiership team in ’22.

The Dragons have also welcomed back favourite son Nick Stagg after last season’ stint with the Kerang Blues.

Former coach Andy Collins bolsters the Dragons’ attack or midfield on his return from Bridgewater.

Other key players for Sandhurst include Michelsen medallist and on-baller Lee Coghlan, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Matt Thornton and Joel Wharton in attack, Zach Pallpratt in the centre, Liam Ireland and Tanner Nally in defence.

It’s a tough initation for Nathan Johns to his coaching stint with Kangaroo Flat.

Johns brings plenty of coaching experience to lead a young Roos’ line-up.

Key recruits for the Flat include the Rouse twins, Jordan and Zac in defence.

Rover Mitch Trewhella, Liam Collins, Kyle Symons, Tim Brooks, Ryan O’Keefe, and co-captains Mitch Collins and Ethan Roberts will all play key roles as the Roos strive to maintain a high level of pressure in all quarters.

AFTER three narrow defeats and a draw, Eaglehawk’s senior footy team is desperate to turn fortunes around when it meets South Bendigo in Saturday’s 10^th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Hawks have home-ground advantage at Canterbury Park as the second half of the home-and-away series kicks off.

A 58-48 victory against South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott in round one kicked off a five-match unbeaten streak by Eaglehawk.

Defeats by margins of three, one and three points, and then a 64-all draw with Sandhurst last round have put the Hawks in fifth place and just two points clear of Kyneton.

After heavy rain in recent days the ball is likely to be at ground level a lot.

A Hawks’ defence that includes Clayton Holmes, Sam Thompson and Dylan Hanley faces a huge task against Bloods’ small forwards in Steven Stroobants, Brock Harvey and Will Keck.

A highlight will be the ruck contests were the Hawks have Connor Dalgleish up against Mac Cameron.

The Borough named Kallen Geary in the centre against Bloods’ star Brody Haddow.

Other key players for the Hawks include co-captains Billy Evans and Cam McGlashan, Ben Thompson and Darcy Richards.

A 6-3 record has the Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo in third place, but locked on points and less than one per cent in front of Strathfieldsaye.

The Bloods’ pressure will be a key to winning in a hostile venue.

A talented line-up in the red and white includes Isaiah Miller, Cameron Taggert, Braydan Torpey and Andrew van Heumen.

It’s the rematch of the 2022 grand finalists when Strathfieldsaye is home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Gisborne.

The Darryl Wilson-coached Storm has lifted its play dramatically in recent weeks to now be 6-3.

Gun forward and captain Lachlan Sharp has moved to joint leader in the race for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker on 41.

The play of on-baller Callum McCarty, Riley Wilson in the centre, Tim Hosking in the ruck, Mitch Hallinan in defence has played a big part in Storm’s surge.

Other players to watch for Strathfieldsaye include Shannon Geary, Baxter Slater, James Schischka and Luke Webb.

Gisborne returned to the winners’ list in a big way as it marked a 200-plus point victory against Maryborough at Gardiner Reserve last round.

The Brad Fox-coached Bulldogs know the pressure will be much higher.

Although seventh on a 3-6 record, Gisborne will not have given up on making the finals.

An upset win at Strathfieldsaye would be a massive turning point in the reigning premier’s season.

The Bulldogs’ will test Storm through the play of ruckman Braidon Blake, rover Flynn Lakey, captain Jack Reaper in defence or attack, and Harry Luxmoore at half-forward.

Others capable of winning plenty of the footy include Luke Ellings, Matt Merrett, Liam Spear and Seb Bell-Bartels.

It’s the all-Magpies clash as Castlemaine is home at Camp Reserve to play Maryborough.

It will be win number two for the Brendan Shepherd-coached Castlemaine, or Maryborough breaks its losing streak.

In round one, Castlemaine turned an 11-point deficit at three quarter-time into an 11-point victory at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

The Castlemaine line-up for this match includes Brodie Browne-Kerr, Brodie and Jackson Byrne, Matt Filo, Ashton Frankling, Ben Moran, John Watson and Liam Wilkinson.

Been a tough first year in the coaching caper for Coby Perry who is back on-field for Maryborough.

Players to watch for the Borough include Joel Swatton, Chris Freeman, Jai Howell, Ty Stewart, Matt Johnston and Kya Lanfranchi.

Kyneton is back in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds to take on Golden Square.

The Paul Chapman-coached Tigers need an upset win to keep the heat on Eaglehawk.

A daunting task for the yellow and black against a Golden Square team which has a 7-2 record and is second on the ladder.

In an on-ball role or attack, Cameron Manuel is in outstanding form for Kyneton.

The Tigers will need big games from the likes of Hamish Yunghanns, Thomas Quinn, Harrison Huntley, Ethan Foreman, Ben Xiriha, Jame Summers and Mitch Comben to trouble the Bulldogs.

A Golden Square forward line led by Joel Brett and Braydon Vaz is in awesome form.

Ruck-rover Tom Toma racked up 40 disposals, 11 marks, five goals and 237 points in Golden Square’s win at Kangaroo Flat to earn the Barry Plant Player of the Round award.

The Bulldogs have the running power of Ricky Monti, Liam Barrett, Jake Thrum, Ryan Hartley and captain Jack Geary which is as strong in the last term as the first.

Kangaroo Flat is on its ground at Dower Park to play Sandhurst.

The Nathan Johns-coached Roos played incredibly well in a 41-49 loss to the Dragons at Queen Elizabeth Oval in round one.

Kangaroo Flat will be determined to bounce back from last week’s big loss to Golden Square.

The Kangaroos have named former Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn star Jonathon Patton for second match for the club.

Patton’s debut as a Roo was at Kyneton.

The Roos’ attack will rely a lot on quality and ample quanity of supply from an on-ball and midfield brigade that includes Mitch Collins, Mitch Trewhella, Toby Roberts, Campbell Smith, Dion Symons and Jarryd Wiegard.

Sandhurst is still unbeaten, but just after a 64-all draw at Eaglehawk last Saturday.

Jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, Sandhurst has plenty of atacking options.

Players to watch for the Dragons include Noah Walsh in the centre, Lachlan Wright at centre half-forward, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Matt Thornton and Cobi Maxted in attack, and ruck-rover James Coghlan.

Sandhurst also named Sam Conforti who is playing VFL with Essendon as rover.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Sandhurst 227 per cent, 34 points; Golden Square 213, 28; South Bendigo 157, 24; Strathfieldsaye 156, 24; Eaglehawk 201, 22; Kyneton 88, 18; Gisborne 120, 12; Kangaroo Flat 60, 12; Castlemaine 29, 6; Maryborough 15, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

41 - (6) - Joel Brett - Golden Square Seniors
41 - (11) - Lachlan Sharp - Strathfieldsaye Seniors
31 - (9) - Brock Harvey - South Bendigo Seniors
26 - (2) - William Keck - South Bendigo Seniors
25 - (1) - Lachlan Wright - Sandhurst Seniors
25 - (5) - Cameron Manuel - Kyneton Seniors
25 - (1) - Steven Stroobants - South Bendigo Seniors
18 - (0) - Braydon Vaz - Golden Square Seniors
18 - (2) - Matt Thornton - Sandhurst Seniors
17 - (1) - James Schischka - Strathfieldsaye Seniors
16 - (0) - Andrew Collins - Sandhurst Seniors
15 - (2) - Ryan Hartley - Golden Square Seniors
14 - (0) - Lewin Davis - Eaglehawk Seniors
13 - (1) - Darcy Richards - Eaglehawk Seniors
13 - (2) - Harry Whitty - Kangaroo Flat Seniors
13 - (0) - Cameron McGlashan - Eaglehawk Seniors
13 - (0) - Thomas Quinn - Kyneton Seniors
13 - (3) - Callum McCarty - Strathfieldsaye Seniors
12 - (4) - Matthew Merrett - Gisborne Seniors
12 - (8) - Hamish Morcom - Golden Square Seniors
11 - (1) - Nicholas Stagg - Sandhurst Seniors
11 - (1) - Noah Wheeler - Eaglehawk Seniors
11 - (2) - Hugh Freckleton - Golden Square Seniors
10 - (0) - Dylan Hird - Eaglehawk Seniors
10 - (1) - Jake Summers - Kyneton Seniors
10 - (0) - Billy Evans - Eaglehawk Seniors
10 - (0) - Jed Brereton - Strathfieldsaye Seniors
10 - (4) - Harry Luxmoore - Gisborne Seniors
10 - (0) - Liam Marciano - Eaglehawk Seniors
10 - (3) - Jack O’shannessy - Eaglehawk Seniors

EAGLEHAWK returned to the winners’ list as it scored a 56-point win against South Bendigo in the 10^th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action on Saturday.

After a run of three defeats by single figure margins and a draw, Eaglehawk was desperate for the points against the Bloods at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

The Bloods led 14-9 at quarter-time before the Hawks scored 5.5 to 3.0 in the second.

A two-goal lead for the Borough at the main break grew to 22 points by the final change.

Led by the play of Noah Wheeler, Kallen Geary and co-captain Billy Evans, Eaglehawk kicked 6.5 to 1.1 in the last to complete a 103-47 victory.

Lewin Davis and Darcy Richards kicked three goals as eight team-mates chipped in with a major.

The only multiple goalkicker for the Bloods was Will Allen on three as the Hawks’ defence worked well to limit the dangerous Brock Harvey and Steven Stroobants to a goal each.

Eaglehawk’s best included Clayton Holmes, Dylan Hird and Charlie Hillier.

Mac Cameron, Sam Langley, Tait Poyser, Andrew van Heumen, Will Allen and Braydan Torpey were best for the Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods.

Castlemaine marked its second win of the season in the all-Magpies clash with Maryborough at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

The Brendan Shepherd-coached Castlemaine led 10-7 at quarter-time and 31-22 by the long break.

In the third quarter it was the Coby Perry-coached Maryborough which dominated play to score 3.4 to just four behinds.

It was déjà vu as Castlemaine again made a final quarter fightback.

After being down 35-44 at three quarter-time, Castlemaine lifted to score 5.3 to 0.5 in the last for a 68-49 victory.

Ben Moran led Castlemaine’s attack on three goals.

Chris Freeman kicked two goals for Maryborough.

Best for Castlemaine were Matt Filo, Riley Pedretti, Brodie Byrne, Callum McConachy, Tyson Hickey and Ethan Hein.

Brady Neill, Mitch McClure, Kya Lanfranchi, Jake Postle, Kaian Constable and Chris Freeman played well for Maryborough.

Strathfieldsaye Storm fought from 32-points down at quarter-time to mark a 27-point win against Gisborne at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.

On a day where Lachlan Bonney marked his 150^th senior game for Storm, Strathfieldsaye was down 6.5 to 1.3 at quarter-time.

Storm surged back to score 4.2 to just two points in the second.

The Brad Fox-coached Gisborne still led 59-55 at a quarter to go.

In the last it was Strathfieldsaye led by the play of Bode Stevens, James Schischka and Mitch Hallinan which scored 6.4 to 1.3 to complete a 95-68 victory.

Captain Lachlan Sharp, James Schischka and Baxter Slater all kicked three goals for the Darryl Wilson-coached Storm.

Gisborne’s attack was led by Sam Graham and Jake Normington with two each.

Best for Strathfieldsaye included Luke Webb, Shannon Geary and Tim Hosking.

Gisborne’s best were Matt Merrett, Flynn Lakey, Frank Schipano, Connor Bills, Harry Luxmoore and Jake Normington.

Eight goals to a point in the second term put Golden Square well in control of its showdown with Kyneton at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs led 28-11 at quarter-time and then dominated the second to score 8.4 to a point.

A 68-point lead at half-time was up to 78 by three quarter-time.

A strong midfield and on-ball group led by Tom Toma, Ricky Monti, Jake Thrum and Brodie James kept pumping the ball into the 50m arc where Joel Brett and Jack Stewart capitalised to kick four goals each.

Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Liam Barrett, Jack Hickman and Braydon Vaz on two.

There were no multiple goalkickers for Kyneton.

Best for Square included ruckman Matt Compston and Jack Stewart.

Mitch Comben, Jayden Eales, Harrison Sheahan, Harrison Huntley, Dom Bennington and Cameron Manuel were best for the Paul Chapman-coached Tigers.

Sandhurst dominated its match against Kangaroo Flat on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.

After a draw at Eaglehawk the previous round kept its unbeaten run intact, Sandhurst slammed on 8.1 to 1.1 in the first term against the Kangaroos.

Ruckman Hamish Hosking and rover Sam Conforti were in great form as the Dragons added 3.5 to nil in the second.

The result was in stark contrast to the first round at Queen Elizabeth Oval where the Kangaroos finished within eight points of the maroon and blue.

Jointly coached by Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst went on to record a 127-22 victory in the return game.

Sam Conforti capped a best afield performance with four goals and Joel Wharton also booted four.

Captain Lee Coghlan and Nick Stagg chipped in with three majors for the Dragons.

Goalkickers for the Roos were Nic Keogh, two, and former Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn key forward Jonathon Patton with one.

Sandhurst’s best included Jake McLean, Zach Pallpratt, Noah Walsh and Cobi Maxted.

Ryan O’Keefe, Dion Symons, Zac and Jordan Rouse, Campbell Smith and Toby Roberts were best for the Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroo Flat.

It’s a general bye across the league next weekend.

The season resumes on July 8 when Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye meet in the 11^th round at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street at 2.20pm.

Sandhurst takes on Kyneton at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

South Bendigo faces Kangaroo Flat at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

Gisborne and Castlemaine play at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

Maryborough and Eaglehawk meet at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

44 Joel Brett, Golden Square.

44 Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye.

32 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

26 Will Keck, South Bendigo.

26 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.

26 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.

23 Cameron Manuel, Kyneton.

20 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.

20 Braydon Vaz, Golden Square.

19 Matt Thornton, Sandhurst.

17 Lewin Davis, Eaglehawk.

16 Andy Collins, Sandhurst.

16 Ryan Hartley, Golden Square.

16 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.

14 Callum McCarty, Strathfieldsaye.

14 Cam McGlashan, Eaglehawk.

14 Hamish Morcom, Golden Square.

14 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.

13 Thomas Quinn, Kyneton.

13 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.

12 Jed Brereton, Strathfieldsaye.

12 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.

11 Hugh Freckleton, Golden Square.

11 Dylan Hird, Eaglehawk.

11 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.

11 Liam Marciano, Eaglehawk.

11 Noah Wheeler, Eaglehawk.

10 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.

10 Zavier Murley, Golden Square.

10 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.

10 Baxter Slater, Strathfieldsaye.

10 Tom Toma, Golden Square.

10 Jordan Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.

A STUNNING three-goal win by Eaglehawk against South Bendigo has shaken up the A-grade netball competition after 10 rounds in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Hawks’ 44-41 victory on their Canterbury Park court against the Bloods has meant top-five hopes for Kyneton and Strathfieldsaye are far from gone.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk teamed superbly to beat a Bloods’ line-up which went into the match on a win-loss record of 4-4 and a draw.

South Bendigo was determined to take the points and stay clear of the Tigers and Storm.

It was not to be as the Two Blues celebrated win number two.

Match of the round was at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park where the Roos took on the unbeaten Sandhurst.

In the rematch of last season’s grand finalists it was Sandhurst which dominated the opening term, 18-10.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos worked hard to score 10 goals in the second, but the ‘Hurst added 13 to lead 31-20 at half-time.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst showed it will be tough to stop in its pursuit of a fifth consecutive premiership was it won the second half, 25-17, and the match, 56-37.

Kyneton kept the pressure on the fifth-placed South Bendigo by scoring a 49-goal win against Golden Square at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers led 16-7 at quarter-time and then dominated the second to pour in 18 goals as Square added four.

The yellow and black won the next two terms, 20-3 and 15-6 to complete a 69-20 victory.

Strathfieldsaye was on its court at Triple M Park to take on the powerful Gisborne line-up.

The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm worked hard to be down by just four goals, 10-14 at quarter-time.

In the second it was Gisborne which took control through mid-court and scored 13 goals for a 27-17 lead by the main break.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs did not let up the pressure as it won the third term, 15-5.

Storm fought back strongly in the last to score 12 goals and held Gisborne to 14.

At the final siren Gisborne led 56-34.

It was an all-Magpies contest at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine kept its hot form rolling in a 66-30 victory against Maryborough.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 203 per cent, 40 points; Gisborne 183, 32; Castlemaine 132, 30; Kangaroo Flat 162, 28; South Bendigo 110, 18; Kyneton 103, 18; Strathfieldsaye 91, 18; Eaglehawk 69, 8; Maryborough 59, 8; Golden Square 36, 0.

Teams take a break for the general bye next weekend.

A highlight of the 11^th round on July 8 will be Gisborne on its court at Gardiner Reserve to meet Castlemaine in a match between second and third.

South Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat are both on the rebound from defeat as they take to the court at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.

Sandhurst is back at Queen Elizabeth Oval to play Kyneton.

Maryborough hosts Eaglehawk at Princes Park.

Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye will play at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

Round 10 scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Eaglehawk 35 lt South Bendigo 37, Kangaroo Flat 37 lt Sandhurst 44, Strathfieldsaye 35 lt Gisborne 55, Kyneton 39 dr Golden Square 39, Castlemaine bye.

B-grade:

Eaglehawk 37 dr South Bendigo 37, Kangaroo Flat 39 lt Sandhurst 49, Strathfieldsaye 43 lt Gisborne 53, Kyneton 31 lt Golden Square 35, Castlemaine 46 d Maryborough 29.

B-reserve:

Eaglehawk 24 lt South Bendigo 30, Kangaroo Flat 45 lt Sandhurst 48, Strathfieldsaye 42 d Gisborne 37, Kyneton 25 lt Golden Square 48, Castlemaine 48 d Maryborough 31.

17-and-under:

Kangaroo Flat 35 lt Sandhurst 62, Eaglehawk 43 d South Bendigo 34, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Gisborne 43, Kyneton 9 lt Golden Square 54, Castlemaine 48 d Maryborough 31.

Ladders after 10 rounds:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 214 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 170, 36; Kangaroo Flat 120, 24; Castlemaine 96, 24; South Bendigo 95, 24; Strathfieldsaye 78, 20; Eaglehawk 76, 16; Kyneton 64, 10; Golden Square 62, 6.

B-grade:

Sandhurst 191 per cent, 40 points; Gisborne 167, 32; Kangaroo Flat 131, 32; South Bendigo 103, 24; Strathfieldsaye 97, 22; Eaglehawk 83, 18; Golden Square 93, 16; Kyneton 80, 8; Castlemaine 63, 6; Maryborough 49, 2.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 213 per cent, 40 points; Kangaroo Flat 179, 32; Gisborne 138, 28; Strathfieldsaye 130, 24; Eaglehawk 112, 24; South Bendigo 110, 20; Castlemaine 66, 16; Golden Square 71, 12; Kyneton 44, 4; Maryborough 46, 0.

17-and-under:

Gisborne 188 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 179, 36; Golden Square 166, 32; Maryborough 113, 22; Strathfieldsaye 110, 22; Castlemaine 105, 18; Kangaroo Flat 106, 14; Eaglehawk 74, 12; South Bendigo 49, 4; Kyneton 20, 0.