SOUTH Bendigo had all the answers in a six-goal win on Castlemaine’s ground in Saturday’s third round of Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
The Bloods charged to a 43-8 lead in a brilliant first quarter at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve.
After being outplayed for most of the opening 30 minutes, Castlemaine struck back to win the second term, 67-31.
Two goals by coach Bailey Henderson and majors by Zavier Murley and Brodie Byrne lifted Castlemaine’s hopes as it cut the deficit to 17 points going into the final term.
As the Magpies scored four goals in the third quarter the Bloods racked up seven behinds.
When Curtis McLennan goaled Castlemaine was within 11 points in the early minutes of the last term.
A run of five unanswered goals by the Bloods included two by Alex Smith to open up a 41-point buffer.
A Harrison Sheahan goal was quickly answered by South Bendigo star Brock Harvey.
Henderson’s third goal was to be the last of the match.
A five-goal haul by Harvey played a big part in the 111-75 victory for a Bloods team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing.
Other multiple goalkickers for the red and white were Brody Haddow, Coen Harker, Zac Sims and Alex Smith on two.
Castlemaine’s attack was led by Bailey Henderson and Harrison Sheahan on three and two.
Best for the Bloods were Coen Harker, Tom Templeton, Hayden Geddes, Brock Harvey, Callum Crisp and Brody Haddow.
Michael Hartley, Bailey Henderson, Callum McConachy, Harrison Sheahan, Ashton Frankling and Oscar Giddings were Castlemaine’s best.
Eaglehawk was under pressure from an inspired Kangaroo Flat at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
In what was a hat-trick of home games, Eaglehawk led 37-28 at half-time.
After an early goal for the Borough in the third quarter it was Kangaroo Flat which slammed on three unanswered goals to lead 47-44.
Eaglehawk then scored the next five majors to lead 75-47 going into the final term.
The Hawks dominance kept rolling as they soared to a 94-48 lead.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos scored the last three goals of the contest which went Eaglehawk’s way, 112-73.
Nick Hoare, Mitch Ronchieri and Ben Thompson led the Hawks attack on three goals each as Deacon Marsh booted two.
Leading goalkickers for the Roos were Sam Barnes and Nick Keogh on three as Nick Lang chipped in with two.
Joel Mullen, Noah Wheeler, Ben Thompson, Billy Evans, Nick Hoare and James Coates-Moore were best for the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk.
Best for the Kangaroos were Nick Keogh, Mitch Collins, Jake Hywood, Darby Brown, Jay Newman and Kyle Symons.
A brilliant first quarter set up Gisborne’s win against Strathfieldsaye at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne charged to a 45-10 lead by quarter-time as Pat McKenna and Dominic Sullivan slotted two goals each and James Gray, Campbell Johns and Harry Luxmoore .were also on target.
Sole reply for Storm was through Zach Charles.
Strathfieldsaye struck back to win the second term, 20-12.
A closely-fought third quarter went Gisborne’s way, 26-23.
When Tyson McKenzie was on target the Jeff Andrews-coached Strathfieldsaye was within 23 points early in the final term.
Goals by McKenna, Matt Merrett and Thomas Werner put the result beyond doubt.
When the siren sounded Gisborne was up 115-80.
McKenna capped a great match with five goals as Luxmoore finished with four.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were James Gray and Dominic Sullivan on two.
Storm’s attack was led by Zach Charles and Tyson McKenzie with three each as Jack Bell and James Schischka added two each.
Best for Gisborne were Dylan Johnstone, key defender Zach Vescovi, James Gray, Pat McKenna, Brad Bernacki and Harry Luxmoore.
Strathfieldsaye’s best were Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Cooper Jones, Zach Charles, Riley and Darcy Mulquiny, and Tyson McKenzie.
Golden Square marked its first win of the season on Broadford’s turf at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Bulldogs led 34-6 at quarter-time and then slammed on 10 goals in the second term to be up 98-12 by the long break.
Goals were shared around as 11 players featured on the list in a 161-39 victory by the Bulldogs.
The attack was led by Jordan Rosengren on four goals as Isaac Corvo and Jack Stewart slotted three each.
Archie and Macey Eaton, Jack McMahon, Terry Reeves, Tom Strauch and Tommi Turner all slotted two majors.
Six goals was Broadford’s best return after playing South Bendigo and Sandhurst in the opening two rounds.
CJ Brill, Jaidon Magor, Adam Miles, Seb Morris and , Charles Neilson were on target for the Kangaroos.
Best for Golden Square were Jack Stewart, Terry Reeves, Tommi Turner, Lachlan Humphrey, Tom Strauch and Jordan Rosengren.
The Bulldogs are coached by Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett.
Jaiden Magor, Charles Neilson, Adam Miles, Isaac Smithwick, Rhys Carman and Louis Thompson were best for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford.
Sandhurst had the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
South Bendigo 180 per cent, 12 points; Sandhurst 322, 8; Gisborne 170, 8; Castlemaine 123, 8; Eaglehawk 111, 8; Golden Square 141, 4; Strathfieldsaye 87, 4; Kangaroo Flat 42, 0; Broadford 11, 0.
It’s a stand-alone match between South Bendigo and Eaglehawk on Anzac Day.
The Bloods and Hawks will play at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 6.10pm.
A split fourth round will be completed on May 2 when Pat Cronin Foundation Round is played from 2.20pm.
Kangaroo Flat and Broadford will meet at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
Strathfieldsaye takes on Castlemaine at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Sandhurst and Golden Square renew their great rivalry at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Gisborne has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
13 Brock Harvey, SB.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Pat McKenna, Gis.
10 Michael Hartley, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.
8 Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Alex Smith, SB;
7 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Brody Haddow, SB; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Archie Rixon, Cm; Harrison Sheahan, Cm.
6 Coen Harker, SB; Nick Keogh, KF; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Jack Stewart, GS; Ben Thompson, Eh.
5 Jacob Austin, Sh; Mac Cameron, SB; Zach Charles, S’saye; Caleb Connick, Sh; Bailey Henderson, Cm; Nick Hoare, Eh; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Anthony Zimmerman, SB
4 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Adam Brancatisano, Gis.; Tom Campbell, Sh; Archie Eaton, GS; Bailey Henderson, Cm; Dylan Landt, Cm; Nick Lang, KF; Drew Lloyd, S’saye; Matt Merrett, Gis.; Oliver Morris, Sh; Terry Reeves, GS; Jordan Rosengren, GS; James Schischka, GS; Tom Strauch, GS; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.; Jack Thompson, Eh.
