ROUND 14 WEEK 2 FOOTBALL REVIEW | Dragons handle heat from Hawks
SANDHURST withstood Eaglehawk’s pressure to take the points in Saturday’s senior footy clash to complete round 14 in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action.
The Dragons and Hawks played at a finals-type intensity on Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It was a brilliant start by Sandhurst as Tom Campbell, Matt Wilkinson, Nick Stagg and Wilkinson were on target as it raced to a 27-2 lead.
The Hawks replied through Pala Kuma at less than a minute to go in the opening quarter.
The Dragons were up 39-8 after co-captain Fergus Greene and Lachie Hood were on target.
Eaglehawk then hit back as Kuma and Kyen Burrill-Grinton goaled.
Dragons’ co-captain Cooper Smith gave his team a four-goal buffer, but majors by Ben Thompson and captain Billy Evans put the Borough within 13 points at the long break.
When Jack Thompson goaled early in the third the Two Blues were within seven points.
Sandhurst responded as Caleb Connick and Cooper Smith capped fine team play.
Talented teen Jack O’Shannesy goaled for the Hawks to be within 13 points going into the final term.
A goal by Fergus Greene was the only one in the last as Sandhurst fought on for a 71-52 victory.
Best for Sandhurst were co-coach Lachlan Tardrew, Cooper Smith, Matt Wilkinson, Seb Collins, James Collins and Lachlan Wright.
The Dragons also had co-coach and multiple premiership-winner Bryce Curnow on field.
Best for Eaglehawk were Jonty Neaves, Charlie Langford, Dylan Hanley, Blake McGregor, Thomas Bennett and Pala Kuma.
The Hawks are jointly coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes.
Nine goals by Brock Harvey in South Bendigo’s win at Kangaroo Flat was the best of the season.
A tally of 41 has Harvey well clear in the race for the Ron Best Medal.
It was a big day for the Kangaroos as they honoured long-time trainer Wayne Murdoch.
Affectionately known as ‘Sticks’, Murdoch had done a power of work for Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo Thunder and many other footy clubs.
It was an evenly-fought first quarter in which Jarryd Wiegard, Connor Evans, and then consecutive goals by Nick Lang put the Roos within a goal of the Bloods at quarter-time.
It was a brilliant start by Harvey as he kicked three majors and Steven Stroobants and James Davies were also on target as the Bloods led 32-26.
By half-time the team in red and white led 61-40.
Quarter three was when Harvey was at his most dangerous.
The skilful small forward slotted four goals as James Davies, Wil McCaig and Stroobants helped build the margin to 55 points.
The Bloods then won the final term, 42-10.
Harvey, Stroobants and Davies led the attack on nine, four and three goals as the Bloods marked a 147-60 victory.
Kangaroos’ veteran Nick Lang booted three goals as another experienced campaigner in Jarryd Wiegard added two.
Best for the Bloods were Brock Harvey, Anthony Zimmerman, Callum Crisp, Zac Hare, Brody Haddow and co-coach Jack Fallon.
The Bloods have Troy Coates as non-playing co-coach.
Roos’ captain Ethan Roberts was best along with Connor Evans, Campbell Smith, Shaun Watson, Jarryd Wiegard and Nick Lang.
The Kangaroos are coached by Tyrone Downie.
In the first week of the split 14th round, Golden Square marked a 78-73 win on its Wade Street ground against Gisborne.
The Luke Freeman-coached Strathfieldsaye Storm won 100-59 at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 217 per cent, 48 points; Gisborne 142, 44; Eaglehawk 160, 40; South Bendigo 129, 36; Strathfieldsaye 88, 24; Golden Square 80, 20; Castlemaine 71, 12; Kangaroo Flat 30, 0.
In next Saturday’s round 15 action, Golden Square will will fight to stay in the finals race as it plays Sandhurst in Wade Street from 2.20pm.
Another big match will be at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve where the Bulldogs take on Strathfieldsaye.
Kangaroo Flat will be back on its Dower Park turf to face Eaglehawk.
Castlemaine and South Bendigo will clash in the Magpies’ nest at Camp Reserve.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
41 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
33 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
33 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
33 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
29 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
28 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
27 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
22 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
22 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.
22 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
20 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
19 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
18 Clayton Holmes, Eaglehawk.
18 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
17 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
17 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
17 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
16 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
16 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
15 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
15 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
15 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Cooper Jones, Strathfieldsaye.
13 Xavier Carter, Golden Square.
13 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
13 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
13 Nick Lang, Kangaroo Flat.
13 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.
13 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
12 Sam Barnes, Kangaroo Flat.
12 James Gray, Gisborne.
12 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
12 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
