News
BFNL RE-WIND | Bloods rule league in early to mid-Nineties
News
BFNL RE-WIND | Bloods rule league in early to mid-Nineties
Published on:
19 February 2026
BY RICHARD JONES
South Bendigo enjoyed a great early to mid-1990s period playing off in five BFNL grand finals and taking home the premiership Bendigo Addy Cup no less than four times.
Playing coach Peter Curran was the central figure in the Bloods' period of ascendancy, assisted by great South players such as Peter 'Tiger' Tyack, Simon McLean (both Michelsen Medallists), key position star Stephen McMurray, tough and pacy on-ballers Robin Keck and Ross Maxted capped off by key forwards Phil Hetherington and David Nicholas.
Keck has maintained his strong connection with the Bloods and his son Will has been a key player with South for quite a number of seasons.
I served with 'Tiger' Tyack on a couple of Hall of Fame selection panels, under chairman Peter Davey, and his knowledge of footy personalities is unmatched.
Tiger could tell fellow panellists where it was best for him to move to, on South's forward line, when opposition backs were crowding in.
And he knew plenty about Hall of Fame candidates when names came up for discussion.
For instance in the 2019 discussion, Tiger knew where Maine's John Jefferies and Hurst's Matt Sexton, plus South's Graeme Wright, would be moved to in defence when their clubs were under pressure
They could occupy key defence positions and thwart opposition sides from going straight up the ground..
The Tigers weren't short of quality players, either with Tony Kelly, Simon Elsum, Nick Heath and Roger Cordy --- among a great group ---- some of the standouts.
But just like every other side three decades ago, Kyneton found it extra difficult to keep up the pressure for the full four terms while the Bloods slipped away on the scoreboard.
I've run into 'Kel' (Tony Kelly) in various locations. From a couple of boozers in Kyneton to the MCG when the mighty Cats were playing and he was engaged in his work assignments.
As a former Collingwood senior player I don't recall 'Kel' being too complimentary about my Catters and the last time I saw him there at the G he didn't seem too happy with how Geelong was running away with the four, premiership points.
Back to the game and South had the four points in the bag at the last change with a six-goal lead.
The last term was just played out, as a formality I recall, with just three majors scored.
South Bendigo. 4.5 9.8. 11.11. 12.15 (87)
Kyneton 1.4 5.6 5.9 7.10 (52)
Major goalkickers, South: P. Tyack 2, P. Hetherington 2, S. McMurray 2. Kyneton: A. Kelly 2, M. Goodyear 2.
Best, South: R. Keck (best on ground), R. Maxted, M. Nulty, P. Hetherington, P. Tyack, S. McMurray, D. Nicholas, D. McMurray, S. McLean. Kyneton: A. Kelly, M. Goodyear, S. Elsum, P. Cochrane, N. Heath, R. Cordy.
Other final scores: Maryborough 21.11 (137) def. E'hawk 2.2 (14); Sandhurst 14.6 (90) def. Kang. Flat 11.10 (76); C'maine 18.10 (118) def. G. Square 15.14 (104); Northern Utd. 17.13 (115) def. North Bendigo 10.9 (69).
Top Five: South Bgo 13 wins, 1 loss, 52 prem. points; Sandhurst 12-2, 48; Kyneton 11-3, 44; Kang. Flat 8-5-1 draw, 34; C'maine 7-6-1 draw, 30.
Bottom Five: Maryborough 7-7; G. Square 5-9, 114.35%; Nthn. Utd 5.9, 96.65%; Eaglehawk 1-13 and North Bendigo 0 wins, 14 losses, 0 prem. pts.
A grade netball scores: G. Square 40 def. C'maine 36; Eaglehawk 46 def. M'borough 31; Sandhurst 42 def. Kang. Flat 33; South Bgo 45 def. Kyneton 36 and Nthn. Utd def. North Bendigo (no scores available).
Thirty years ago the Monday Addy not only printed all the BFNL and AFL scores in detail (with quarter-by-quarter scores, goalkickers and best players), but also final results in 11 regional and district leagues along with final scores and goalkickers in the Bendigo Pioneers VSFL under-18s competition.
All that plus Bendigo juniors scores from the under-16s down to the two under-12 grades. Virtually one full page of scores ---- second from the back ---- and just above the weather map and details on that inside page.
To come: Eaglehawk keeps its 2006 finals hopes alive with a crushing win over Kyneton, mid-June 19 years ago.
