ROUND 5 WEEK 2 FOOTBALL REVIEW
BY NATHAN DOLE
Goalkicking accuracy a key in Borough’s victory
EAGLEHAWK’S ability to convert chances was a key factor in beating Strathfieldsaye’s match in week two of the split fifth round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season.
The Hawks and Storm both rued plenty of missed opportunities across the first hour as Eaglehawk led 3.9 to 2.7 at half-time of the match in the Borough’s Canterbury Park.
In the third Eaglehawk scored 3.1 as Storm added 2.4.
A 17-point buffer for the Borough at the start of the final quarter was six goals at the siren after it scored 6.3 to 3.2.
Co-coach Clayton Holmes finished with a match-high four goals as the in-form Jack O’Shannessy kicked three and captain Billy Evans added two majors in the 85-49 result.
Storm had six players on a goal each.
Best for the Hawks who have Travis Matheson as non-playing co-coach were ruckman Brayden Frost, Nick Hoare, Billy Evans, Jack O’Shannessy, Charlie Langford and Ben Thompson.
Storm’s best were Sam Heavyside, Bode Stevens, Riley Wilson, Ben Lester, Patrick Blandford and Jake Moorhead.
A preliminary finalist last season the Luke Freeman-coached Strathfieldsaye is in sixth place on a one-four record going into next Saturday’s match at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
The Kangaroos could not break the hoodoo as Golden Square marked a 46th consecutive victory between the clubs.
Both teams were desperate to end this season’s winless run when they took to Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
The Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square led 19-8 at quarter-time.
In the second term it was the Bulldogs who dominated play.
As the blue and gold added 4.8 it kept the Roos to a tally of 1.1.
By half-time Golden Square led 51-15.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos fought back to score three goals in the third, but the Dogs won the quarter, 21-19.
Led by Carson James, Xavier Carter and Dermott Bell it was Golden Square which kicked on for a 95-38 victory.
A match-high four goals by Xavier Carter put him among the best as Jordan Rosengren and Tom Strauch added two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Leading goalkicker for Kangaroo Flat was veteran ruckman/forward Nick Lang on two goals.
Golden Square’s best included Brodie James, Lachlan Humphrey and Harrison Kelly.
Best for Kangaroo Flat were Angus Macpherson, Josh Leersen, Xavier Coghill, Zach Rouse, Luke Stagg and captain Ethan Roberts.
In week one of the split fifth round, Sandhurst beat South Bendigo by 77 points at Harry Trott Oval to retain the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup.
Gisborne marked a 79-58 victory on its turf at Gardiner Reserve against Castlemaine.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 282 per cent, 20 points; Eaglehawk 200, 16; Gisborne 148, 16; South Bendigo 92, 12; Castlemaine 85, 8; Strathfieldsaye 79, 4; Golden Square 69, 4; Kangaroo Flat 27, 0.
A rematch of last September’s grand finalists, Sandhurst and Gisborne highlights this Saturday’s sixth round.
The Dragons and Bulldogs meet again at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.
Castlemaine will be desperate to take the points against a top-five team when it tackles Eaglehawk at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Golden Square and South Bendigo clash in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Golden Square’s home in Wade Street.
Kangaroo Flat takes on Strathfieldsaye on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
15 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
14 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
11 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
11 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
11 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
10 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
10 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
9 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
9 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
9 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
8 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
8 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
7 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
7 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
7 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
6 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
6 James Gray, Gisborne.
6 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
6 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
6 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
6 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
