SANDHURST marked a hard-fought victory in Eaglehawk on Easter Saturday to cap the opening round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League senior footy action.
The lead-up to the clash included the unfurling of Eaglehawk’s 2025 premiership flag before a big crowd at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
Sandhurst’s tally of four goals in the first quarter included a great shot by Oliver Morris on the run in the pocket at the town end.
Eaglehawk hit back when Michelsen medallist Noah Wheeler took a strong mark.
After a 100m penalty was awarded to Darcy Mills on the half-back line he slotted a goal for the Dragons to be up 29-19 at the first break.
The ball lived in Sandhurst’s forward line for a lot of the second term.
Such was the Dragons’ dominance the inside 50m tally at one stage was 10-1.
Goals by Caleb Connick and Cobi Maxted put the maroon and blue in front by 22 points in the ninth minute.
The Dragons’ run and link from stoppages was outstanding.
Sandhurst’s buffer was five goals by the 15th minute before the Hawks replied with consecutive goals.
Talented midfielder Dayten Uerata had set up plenty of attacks, but his match was ended when he hurt an ankle just before half-time.
Eaglehawk surged within seven points by the fifth minute mark of the third when Joel Mullen roved a marking contest and snapped truly on his left foot.
The Two Blues workrate at clearances had lifted dramatically as ruckman Callum Heath controlled many of the hit-outs.
Goals by key forwards Maxted and Campbell put Sandhurst’s lead back at 19 points.
A long shot at the 50m arc by Jack Thompson who also had brothers Sam and Ben on-field for the Borough lifted the passionate fans.
The Dragons struck back with a hat-trick of goals, but the Hawks were back within 13 points going into the final term.
A Sandhurst line-up jointly coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, dominated the early minutes of the final term.
When Connick’s set-shot from near the 50m arc went through the Dragons led 104-70 in the ninth minute.
Mullen’s running goal after being on the end of a chain of handpasses was to the Borough’s final score of the match.
At the final siren the Dragons led 114-76 in a contest where Lachie Hood, Harrison Free, Caleb Connick, Lachlan Watson, Fergus Greene and Cobi Maxted were best.
Sandhurst’s depth was also tested when interchange rotations were down to just two players after injuries to Morris, ribs, and Uerata, ankle.
Best for Eaglehawk were Callum Heath, Michelsen medallist and captain Billy Evans, Ben Thompson, Jonty Neaves, Joel Mullen and Charlie Langford.
There were two thrilling finishes in Good Friday matches.
Back-to-back goals by Tyson McKenzie helped Strathfieldsaye seal a 116-109 win against South Bendigo in Storm territory at Triple M Park.
It was a superb contest which featured former AFL player James Frawley slotting five goals for South Bendigo.
Frawley brought 241 games across stints with Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda to the Bloods’ line-up.
A premiership winner with the Hawks in 2015, Frawley played a big part in the Bloods turning a 22-point deficit at half-time into a four-point lead going into the final term.
A goal by Port Melbourne aligned midfielder Drew Lloyd put Storm in front in the early minutes of what would be a memorable last quarter.
The Bloods regained the lead before McKenzie who had dominated through midfield kicked his first goal.
Back-to-back goals put the Bloods up 106-97.
After missing all but one match last season, Daniel Clohesy marked his return with a crucial goal for Storm.
It was then the classy McKenzie who capped brilliant teamwork with two unanswered goals to seal the points in Jeff Andrews first match as Strathfieldsaye’s coach.
Storm’s attack was led by Lloyd and McKenzie on four and three goals as Pat Blake, Zach Charles and James Schischka added two each.
Frawley finished with a match-high five goals as Alex Smith slotted three and Mac Cameron and Brock Harvey booted two.
Best for Strathfieldsaye were Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Drew Lloyd, Tyson McKenzie, Mitch Hallinan, Cooper Jones and Pat Blake.
Brody Haddow, Callum Crisp, Tom Templeton, James Frawley, Coen Harker and Josh Nitschke were best for the Troy Coates and Jack Fallon-coached Bloods.
At Castlemaine, Bailey Henderson marked his senior coaching debut with a 94-86 win against Golden Square at The Railey Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve.
Little separated the teams all match as Square led 34-33 at quarter-time and 56-52 by the main break.
Castlemaine led 66-65 going into the last quarter.
A goal by Jayden Burke put the Bulldogs in front early in the final term.
Another by the blue and gold meant it led 79-67 before the Magpies replied through Archie Rixon.
Another Golden Square goal was answered by Harrison Sheahan.
It was the Magpies who finished full of running as goals by Rixon and John Watson sealed victory.
Rixon and Michael Hartley led Castlemaine’s attack on four and three goals.
One of three Bulldogs in their senior debut, Archie Eaton finished with a team-high three goals as Jayden Burke, Tom Strauch booted two majors.
A highlight for the blue and gold included the senior debuts of Archie Edwards and Josh Kelly.
Castlemaine’s coach of the previous two seasons, Michael Hartley was best afield as Harrison Sheahan, Archie Rixon, Ashton Frankling, Jaise Coleman and Cooper Mark played well for the black and white.
Best for Golden Square were Archie Edwards, Tom Strauch, Liam Barrett and Terry Reeves.
An eight-goal second term gave Gisborne a 73-point lead by half-time of its clash with Kangaroo Flat at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 40-14 at quarter-time and then dominated the second term.
As the Bulldogs slammed on 8.9 they kept the Kangaroos to just two goals.
The third term was to be the best by the Tyrone Downie-coached Roos as they added 3.3, but Gisborne replied with six goals to lead 134-45 going into the final term.
Zac Denahy finished with five goals as Brad Bernacki and Harry Luxmoore booted four each.
The Bulldogs also had Adam Brancatisano and Matt Merrett add three goals in the 176 52 victory.
Kangaroo Flat’s leading goalkicker was Nick Keogh on three.
Best for Gisborne were Michelsen medallists Brad Bernacki and Braidon Blake along with Dylan Johnstone, Lachlan Evans, Zac Denahy and Dominic Sullivan.
The Roos’ best were Nick Keogh, Aaron Nevins, Jarrell Ratcliffe, Daniel Stagg, Max Johnson and Zac Featherby.
Broadford had the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Gisborne, 338 per cent, 4 points; South Bendigo 253, 4; Sandhurst 150, 4; Castlemaine 109, 4; Strathfieldsaye 106, 4; Golden Square 91, 0; Eaglehawk 66, 0; Kangaroo Flat 29, 0; Broadford 5, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB.
6 Alex Smith, SB.
5 Zac Denahy, Gis.; James Frawley, SB; Brock Harvey, SB.
4 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Mac Cameron, SB; Brody Haddow, SB; Drew Lloyd, S’saye; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Archie Rixon, Cm.
3 Adam Brancatisano, Gis.; Tom Campbell, Sh; Archie Eaton, GS; Michael Hartley, Cm; Nick Keogh, KF; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Matt Merrett, Gis.
In next Saturday’s second round, Eaglehawk will host Golden Square at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
Ongoing works at the Wade Street ground have forced the venue switch.
South Bendigo marks its first hit-out at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval this season when it tackles Gisborne.
Sandhurst takes on league newcomer Broadford at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It’s the Kangaroos against the Magpies as Kangaroo Flat faces Castlemaine at Dower Park.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
