THE Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s senior footy team celebrated a long-awaited inter-league victory against Ovens and Murray’s stars on Saturday.
It was the first time in 29 years that Bendigo had faced O and M.
The Simon Rosa-coached Bendigo FNL raced to a 40-point lead by quarter-time of their clash on Bendigo’s turf at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
In a brilliant start the blue and gold capitalised on slick teamwork from half-back and midfield and also forced O and M to many errors.
Key forward Michael Hartley from Castlemaine had a major impact in the opening term.
Whether it was kicking goals or knocking the ball to the ground in marking contests, Hartley had a big say in the start.
It was 23-nil by the 15th minute after Hartley, Gisborne’s Dylan Johnstone, and Strathfieldsaye’s James Schischka were on target.
Superb running play by O and M from a defensive kick-in was capped by Tim Oosterhoff from Lavington running to an open goalsquare and kicking truly in the 16th minute.
For the rest of the quarter it was Bendigo which did plenty of attacking.
Gisborne’s James Gray, Golden Square’s Jack Stewart, Strathfieldsaye’s Tyson McKenzie, and Gray again joined in the goalscoring frenzy.
A 47-7 lead was great reward for Bendigo’s dare and also strong defensive efforts by Gisborne’s Zac Vescovi, Golden Square’s Jayden Burke, and Sandhurst’s Lachlan Wright.
Although the key defenders conceded height and weight to their opponents they were superb in nullifying the impact Kaelan Bradtke from Corowa-Rutherglen and Tim Oosterhoff had in the first term.
The Jake Sharp-coached O and M hit back to win the second quarter, 23-16.
Myrtleford clubmates Riley Smith and Josh Muraca were on target, and Bradtke also goaled.
Goals by Schischka and Hartley meant Bendigo led 63-30 at the long break.
There was plenty of play between the 50m arcs as pressure from both teams lifted markedly in the third quarter.
Bradtke broke the deadlock with a goal in the 13th minute.
Goal of the day honours would go to Bendigo captain and Sandhurst co-coach Fergus Greene from deep in the swimming pool pocket.
Greene used the outside of his right boot to goal from deep in the swimming pool pocket after he received a handpass from Eaglehawk’s Ben Thompson at a stoppage.
A couple of minutes and Oosterhooff replied for O and M.
Great play by Kangaroo Flat ruckman Angus Macpherson to win the footy and handpass to the running Oscar White from Eaglehawk was capped with a goal.
Best goal for O and M was by Patrick Lavis from Corowa-Rutherglen as he ran toward the boundary in the Rifle Brigade Hotel pocket at the city end and goaled with ease.
As the siren sounded to end the quarter Bendigo led 77-49.
Greene’s tackle to force a turnover at half-forward led to a mark and goal by Hartley just two minutes into the last.
A left-foot snap by the classy Lavis was followed by a Bradtke goal as the margin became 22 points.
A high kick by South Bendigo’s Josh Nischke was marked by Schiscka from which he goaled to settle some nerves.
The O and M would eventually close to within 20 points as Bendigo claimed the Beyond Blue trophy in a match aimed to raise Mental Health awareness in a campaign supported by The Weekly Times and Herald-Sun.
Victorious coach Simon Rosa was rapt with a performance in which there so many strong contributors.
“We have been envious of Ovens and Murray and its record for so many years,” Rosa said.
“It took 29 years to have this opportunity to play them again.
“Congratulations to the boards of both leagues who made this happen and to all the players, coaches and many more for their support.”
Both coaches said Bendigo’s strong start became crucial as the match wore on.
“It was a great start by Bendigo. They got the jump on us,” Sharp said.
The O and M worked incredibly hard to fight back, but stringing together a run of four unanswered goals or more did not eventuate.
The Derrick Filo Medal for Bendigo’s best player was awarded to Dylan Johnstone as South Bendigo co-coach Jack Fallon and Jayden Burke also starred.
A year after he was captain of Bendigo’s under-19 team against the Victorian Amateurs, James Gray won plenty of the footy around clearances and was also a danger in attack.
Key defender Charlie Morrison from Wodonga Bulldogs earnt the Norm Minns Medal as O and M’s best.
Next year’s showdown between the leagues will be in Ovens and Murray territory.
Bendigo FNL 7.5 9.9 11.11 14.13 (97)
Ovens & Murray 1.1 4.6 7.7 11.11 (77)
GOALS – Bendigo: James Gray, Michael Hartley, Tyson McKenzie, James Schischka 3, Fergus Greene, Dylan Johnstone, Jack Stewart, Oscar White. Ovens & Murray: Kaelan Bradtke 3, Patrick Lavis, Josh Muraca, Tim Oosterhoff 2, Jake Gaynor, Riley Smith.
BEST – Bendigo: Dylan Johnstone, Jack Fallon, James Gray, Jayden Burke, Michael Hartley, Angus Macpherson. Ovens & Murray: not supplied.
Derrick Filo Medal: Dylan Johnstone.
Norm Minns Medal: Charlie Morrison.
Bendigo’s team:
B: Lachlan Wright (Sandhurst), Zac Vescovi (Gisborne), Cobi Maxted (Sandhurst)
Hb: Jack Fallon (South Bendigo), Jayden Burke (Golden Square), Bailey Henderson (Vice-captain, Castlemaine)
C: Fergus Greene (Captain, Sandhurst), Ben Thompson (Vice-captain, Eaglehawk), Oscar White (Eaglehawk)
Hf: Tom Strauch (Golden Square), James Schischka (Strathfieldsaye), Lachie Hood (Sandhurst)
F: Tyson McKenzie (Strathfieldsaye), Michael Hartley (Castlemaine), Jack Stewart (Golden Square)
Foll: Angus Macpherson (Kangaroo Flat), Brody Haddow (South Bendigo), Dylan Johnstone (Gisborne)
Inter: Josh Nitschke (South Bendigo), Caleb Connick (Sandhurst), Harrison Sheahan (Castlemaine), James Gray (Gisborne)
Emerg: Nicholas Keogh (Kangaroo Flat), Jonty Neaves (Eaglehawk)
Coach: Simon Rosa
Assistant coaches: Nick Carter, Troy Coates, Bryce Curnow, Tyrone Downie, Wayne Mitrovic, Nathan Thompson
