AFTER waiting more than 25 years, Kangaroo Flat’s players and fans are finally celebrating victory against Golden Square in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Kangaroos were desperate not to allow the Bulldogs charge to a 49th consecutive win against them as they met in Saturday’s round 15 match at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Kangaroo Flat led 16-2 at quarter-time.
A goal by long-time player Nick Lang in the early minutes of the second term gave the Roos a 20-point buffer.
Golden Square’s first goal was off the boot of Mack Skinner at just under 15 minutes to play in the first half.
When Archie Eaton was on target the Bulldogs were within seven points.
The Kangaroos responded with a timely goal by Nick Keogh to be up 32-17 at the main break.
Four unanswered goals in the third meant the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos led by 40 points going into the final term.
The Bulldogs fought back with goals by Jayden Burke and Jack Sampson to be within 25 points at just over 12 ½ minutes to play.
Kangaroo Flat did not falter as Mitch Rovers and Nick Keogh capped fine team play to seal a 73-37 victory.
Best for Kangaroo Flat were Jeremy Rodi, co-captain Ethan Roberts, Tyran Farmer, Zach Bird, Isaac Lowndes and Nick Lang.
Was a tough afternoon for the Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett-coached Golden Square in which Adam Baird, Lachlan Humphrey, Carson James, Luke Holt, Jack Sampson and Byron Ritchie were best.
There many highlights for the Kangaroos players, coaches, officials and fans.
Among them was Nick Lang who has played more than 260 senior matches for the club and had never played in a senior win against Golden Square until Saturday.
Downie’s playing career with the Roos never included a win against the blue and gold, but he has achieved so as coach.
The Kangaroos have the bye next round before they host South Bendigo at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park, and then head to Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park for the round 18 showdown.
Eaglehawk is still a chance of grabbing a top-three finish and double chance in the finals after a 45-point win at home against Gisborne.
The Hawks won every quarter on their way to a 121-76 victory at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
An evenly-fought opening term went Eaglehawk’s way, 27-15.
Back-to-back goals put Gisborne up 31-28 at 19 minutes to play in the first half.
Eaglehawk responded with a hat-trick of goals before Gisborne slotted its fifth goal.
The Hawks held a 14-point buffer, but Gisborne was on target again.
The last two goals of the half meant Eaglehawk led 66-47 at the break.
Eaglehawk dominated most of the third quarter.
Four unanswered goals put the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk in control.
The Bulldogs kicked the last goal of the term, but it was Eaglehawk which led 93-55 going into the final term.
Inspired by the play of Ben Thompson, Joel Mullen and Nick Hoare it was Eaglehawk which charged to a 121-76 victory.
Jacquin Mifsud led the Hawks’ attack on five goals as Nick Thompson kicked three and Connor Evans, Jack O’Shannessy and Oscar White added two each.
Gisborne’s leading goalkicker was James Gray on three as Brad Bernacki and Pat McKenna kicked two each.
The Borough’s best included Jacquin Mifsud, Charlie Langford and Thomas Bennett.
Gisborne’s best were Brad Bernacki, Lucas Hannon and Riley Evans.
Was a disappointing result for the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne which depending on finals venues may have played at Eaglehawk for the last time.
Sandhurst dominated after half-time to score a 37-point win against South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The fierce rivals were co-tenants at the iconic ground for many years until South Bendigo relocated to Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
The Bloods beat the Dragons at that ground in round six by eight goals to claim the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup.
On Saturday it was Sandhurst which outplayed the Bloods.
Goals by Matt Wilkinson, Cobi Maxted and co-coach Fergus Greene meant Sandhurst led 19-3 at quarter-time.
Pressure was on the Bloods after Maxted goaled early in the second.
It was not until 19 minutes to play in the half that South Bendigo’s Brock Harvey booted his team’s first goal.
Sandhurst replied through Jacob Austin before Logan Howell and Brock Harvey lifted South Bendigo’s hopes to cut the deficit to 13 points by the long break.
The Dragons were first to goal in the third through Jacob Austin.
The hard-working Wil McCaig goaled for the Bloods, but Maxted was on target with his third.
Consecutive goals by Anthony Zimmerman put South Bendigo back within 10 points.
Goals by Oliver Morris and Caleb Connick put the Dragons in control again.
The experienced Nathan Horbury was on target as the Bloods were within three goals going into the final term.
Defences were on top for most of the final term.
Sandhurst goaled through Oliver Morris, Charlie Robinson and Cobi Maxted as the Bloods’ sole reply was off Zimmerman’s boot.
When the final siren sounded a Sandhurst team co-coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, led 91-54.
Maxted ended with a match-high four goals as Zimmerman slotted three for the red and white.
Best for the Dragons were Cooper Smith, Matt Wilkinson, Cobi Maxted, Fergus Greene, Hugh Schmetzer and Oliver Morris.
South Bendigo’s best were Coen Harker, Sam Langley, Jack English, Callum Crisp, Brody Haddow and Anthony Zimmerman.
A nine-five record has the Bloods’ team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, in fifth place.
A tally of 14 goals earnt Strathfieldsaye’s James Schischka best afield honours in Storm’s big win on Broadford’s turf at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm was fired up after a 68-point loss at home to Eaglehawk the previous round.
Storm charged to a 60-2 lead by quarter-time and did not let up as it added another nine goals in the second quarter.
Broadford’s first goal was kicked by Isaac Smithwick at just under four minutes to play in the third quarter.
By then Storm had scored 179 points.
Strathfieldsaye added seven goals in the last as the Kangaroos scored back-to-back goals when Ben Thompson and Jayden Welch were on target.
At the final siren Storm led 232-21.
Schischka’s marking power and goalkicking was outstanding.
Other multiple goalkickers for Strathfieldsaye were Riley Wilson, five; Riley Mulquiny, three; Jack Bell, Zach Charles, Aydan Hand, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, and Siologa Siu; two.
Best for Storm were James Schischka, Daniel Clohesy, Riley Wilson, George Simpson, Riley Mulquiny and Charles Dole.
Louis Thompson, Brodie Stray, Adam Miles, Harry Behan, Jarrah Younger and Taiten Thomas were best for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford team.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder after 15 rounds:
Sandhurst 201 per cent, 44 points; Strathfieldsaye 169, 44; Gisborne 167, 36; Eaglehawk 160, 36; South Bendigo 147, 36; ECastlemaine 108, 20; Golden Square 97, 12; Kangaroo Flat 59, 12; Broadford 11, 0.
Bendigo Health Foundation Round will be played next Saturday.
Marquee match in senior footy will be South Bendigo against Golden Square from 2.20pm at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street.
As host club, South Bendigo is promoting Fluoro For Neuro Day to raise funds to support Bendigo Health Neurology.
The Bloods will auction specially made jumpers for the seniors and reserves teams.
In other matches to mark the league’s 16th round, Strathfieldsaye takes on Sandhurst in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Top spot is at stake.
It’s the Magpies against the Hawks as Castlemaine and Eaglehawk clash at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Gisborne faces Broadford at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
57 James Schischka, S’saye.
55 Pat McKenna, Gis.
53 Brock Harvey, SB.
34 Nick Keogh, KF.
31 Michael Hartley, Cm.
26 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
25 Ben Thompson, Eh.
24 Cobi Maxted, Sh.
23 Fergus Greene, Sh; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.
21 Jordan Rosengren, GS.
20 Jacquin Mifsud, Eh; Oliver Morris, Sh.
19 Brody Haddow, SB.
18 Nick Lang, KF; Jack McMahon, GS; Tom Strauch, GS.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Zac Denahy, Gis.; Nick Lang, KF; Jack O’Shannessy, Eh; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Oscar White, Eh; Anthony Zimmerman, SB.
15 James Gray, Gis.; Alex Smith-Ralph, SB.
