Round 10 Football Review | Hawks find plenty of goalkicking options
A DOZEN players chipped in with at least a goal as Eaglehawk defeated South Bendigo in Saturday’s 10th round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Hawks went into the clash at Canterbury Park without leading goalkickers Jack O’Shannessy, ankle injury, and co-coach Clayton Holmes, knee.
Just who was going to cap off the Hawks’ attacking moves was a talking point leading into the clash with a Bloods line-up which had beaten Gisborne by seven goals the previous round.
The Hawks made another flying start as they scored 5.6 in the opening term and held the Bloods to a tally of 3.1.
By half-time the Borough led 58-27.
A closely-fought third quarter went the way of the Bloods, 27-25.
There were few times when South Bendigo was able to score consecutive goals.
South Bendigo did so with a hat-trick of goals in the final quarter to draw within 14 points.
What would Eaglehawk’s final and 14th goal of the match ensured it would take the premiership points.
At the final siren Eaglehawk led 100-85 in a contest where ruckman Brayden Frost, Ben and Jack Thompson booted two goals each for the Two Blues.
South Bendigo’s attack was led by classy small forwards Steven Stroobants, Kaiden Antonowicz and Brock Harvey on five, four and three goals.
Best for Eaglehawk were on-baller Joel Budarick, Brayden Frost, captain Billy Evans, Ben Thompson, Nick Hoare and Sam Thompson.
South Bendigo’s best were Joel Swatton, Brody Haddow, Tom Brereton, Alex Davis, Steven Stroobants and Brock Harvey.
The Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk team makes its way down the Calder for next Saturday’s match at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Bloods will be back on their turf at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to play Castlemaine.
In their first year as co-coaches at South Bendigo, Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, have guided the Bloods to a six-four record and fourth place on the ladder.
Sandhurst retained the Ron Best Memorial Cup in an emphatic 76-point victory against Golden Square at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Dragons and Bulldogs honoured the league’s legenary goalkicker who was a premiership-winning player at both clubs through the 1970s.
A highlight of the day was the reunion of Golden Square’s premiership-winning team of 1975.
A Bulldogs team coached by gun ruckman Tony Southcombe beat Sandhurst for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup 50 years ago.
Victorious in the previous two clashes for the Ron Best Memorial Cup, Sandhurst charged to a 47-9 lead by quarter-time of this showdown.
The Dragons brought a high level of pressure and capitalised on great team play and turnovers to score six goals in the second quarter.
By half-time Sandhurst led 86-12.
The Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs fought back to score four goals in the third as the maroon and blue led 111-36 going into the final term.
A closely-fought last quarter went the way of the Dragons, 20-19.
Cobi Maxted marked his best match of the season with five goals as Lachie Hood booted four in the 131-55 victory.
Another multiple goalkicker for the ladder-leading Dragons was Jacob Austin with three.
Sandhurst has had Bryce Curnow and Lachlan Tardrew team up as playing co-coaches.
Golden Square’s attack was led by Jack McMahon with four goals.
Best for Sandhurst were Lachie Hood, co-captain Cooper Smith, Cobi Maxted, Darcy Mills, Jacob Austin and James Coghlan.
Golden Square’s best were Jack McMahon, Daniel Keating, Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves, Dylan Hird and Harrison Kelly.
The Ron Best Memorial Cup and best player awards were presented by Ron’s son, Chris.
Gisborne bounced back from what coach Rob Waters called its worst performance of the season to win at Strathfieldsaye by 10 goals.
The Bulldogs led 23-1 at quarter-time and 52-17 by the main break on Strathfieldsaye’s ground at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Although it was without brilliant forward Pat McKenna, Gisborne had plenty of contributors in a tally of 16 goals.
Harry Luxmoore, Shane Clough and Luke Meletis capped off Gisborne’s attacks with hauls of four, three and two goals in a 112-52 victory.
Jed Brereton made a welcome return to Storm’s team from long-term injury by kicking two goals.
Best for Gisborne were on-baller Brad Bernacki, Zach Vescovi, James Gray, Harry Luxmoore, Darcy Young and Braidon Blake.
Jake Moorhead, Bode Stevens, Tim Hosking, Hunter Lawrence, Jed Brereton and Patrick Blandford were best for the Luke Freeman-coached Storm.
Castlemaine returned to the winner’s list in an 86-51 result on home turf at Camp Reserve against Kangaroo Flat.
The Michael Hartley-coached Castlemaine was under pressure early.
There was plenty of attacking by both teams in the first term, but also a lot of inaccuracy.
As the Kangaroos scored 2.6 the Magpies replied with 1.5.
Castlemaine’s greater accuracy became a factor as the match rolled on.
The Magpies scored 5.2 in the second term as the Flat added 1.5.
Just three goals separated the teams going into the final term.
The Magpies lifted their play to score three majors in the last as the Roos were held to a goal.
Jack Chester, Zach Greeves, Michael Hartley and Dylan Hickey all finished on two goals in an 86-51 result for the Magpies.
The Kangaroos’ attack was led by Sam Barnes and and Jake Hywood on two.
Castlemaine’s best were ruckman Patrik Balta, Josh Eyre, Kalan Huntly, Zach Greeves, Harrison Sheahan and Jack Nuttall.
Jeremy Rodi, Zach Rouse, Zach Bird, Aaron Nevins, Josh Leersen and Connor Lee played well for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 240 per cent, 36 points; Eaglehawk 176, 32; Gisborne 148, 32; South Bendigo 131, 24; Strathfieldsaye 83, 16; Castlemaine 73, 12; Golden Square 63, 8; Kangaroo Flat 29, 0.
Match of the day in next Saturday’s round 11 action will be Gisborne on home turf at Gardiner Reserve against Eaglehawk from 2.20pm.
South Bendigo and Castlemaine will clash in the Bloods home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye meet in the Bulldogs’ kennel in Wade Streeet.
It’s the Kangaroos and Dragons as Kangaroo Flat faces Sandhurst at Dower Park.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
29 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
27 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
26 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
26 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
25 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
21 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
16 Clayton Holmes, Eaglehawk.
16 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
16 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
15 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
15 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
15 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.
15 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
14 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
14 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
14 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
14 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
13 Cooper Jones, Strathfieldsaye.
13 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
12 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
12 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
11 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
11 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.
11 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
10 Nick Lang, Kangaroo Flat.
10 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.
10 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
9 Shane Clough, Gisborne.
9 Luke Meletis, Gisborne.
9 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
9 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
8 Xavier Carter, Golden Square.
8 Jack Fallon, South Bendigo.
8 James Gray, Gisborne.
8 Jake Hywood, Kangaroo Flat.
8 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
8 John Watson, Castlemaine.
7 Sam Barnes, Kangaroo Flat.
7 Nick Hoare, Eaglehawk.
7 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
7 Nick Keogh, Kangaroo Flat.
7 Cooper Smith, Sandhurst.
7 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
7 Jack Thompson, Eaglehawk.
7 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.
