Bulldogs tame Tigers at Golden Square

STUNG by consecutive losses, Golden Square bounced back in superb fashion as it thrashed the in-form Kyneton in Saturday’s ninth round of the Bendigo Football Netball League season.

The Bulldogs blitzed in the second half of the clash on their turf at Wade Street to win 13.7 (85) to 7.9 (51).

Kyneton led 37-35 at half-time, but then Square went to work as it scored 8.2 to 1.8 after the long break.

It was a significant victory for the Bernie Haberman-coached Golden Square as it stayed within two points of the third-placed Kyneton.

Adam Baird marked his 101st match for the club by being best afield.

Number one ruckman Matt Compston also played a key role as did captain Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley and Jon Coe.

Square’s attack was led by Dylan Johnstone on three goals as Travis Baird and Jake Thrum added two each.

A setback for the Dogs was a dislocated shoulder to Baird.

For the Luke Beattie-coached Tigers there is plenty to work on.

Leading goalkickers for Kyneton were Chris Barry and Ethan Foreman on two.

Captain Josh Govan was best for the yellow and black as Harrison Huntley, Jayden Exell and Bryce Hinneberg worked hard.

Gisborne’s hot run rolled on as the Bulldogs beat South Bendigo by 34 points at the QEO.

The Clinton Young-coached Gisborne slammed on 7.5 to 1.2 in the second term to open up a 52-point lead by half-time.

In a contest between two clubs in a fight for fifth spot, it was Gisborne which proved too strong in a 17.17 (119) to 12.13 (85) victory, although the Bloods won the second half, 56-38.

Jake Conolan and Thomas Wood led Gisborne’s attack on three goals apiece.

The Bulldogs again had a spread of 10 goalkickers in a match where Ethan Minns, Oliver Clough, Jack Reaper and Jake Conolan were best.

Kaiden Antonowicz led South’s attack on six goals as Liam Bartels, Mitch Rogerson, Antonowicz and Josh Thurgood played well.

Strathfieldsaye scored an 88-point win on Kangaroo Flat’s ground at Dower Park.

Storm kept the Roos goalless in the first half as they held a 52-point lead at the long break.

The Roos lifted in the second half, but it was Storm which won 114 to 26.

In the absence of gun goalkicker Lachlan Sharp, hamstring, it was Bryce Curnow who led Storm’s attack on four goals as coach Troy Coates and Fergus Payne added three each.

Strathfieldsaye’s best were Lachlan Ratcliffe, Jake Moorhead, Sam Heavyside and Tom Dowd.

Kangaroo Flat’s best were Liam Collins, Nick Lang, Dane Spear and Jonathan Lanyon.

Maryborough’s fighting spirit was to the fore in the second half of its clash with Eaglehawk at Princes Park.

The Hawks dominated the first hour as it led 66-8 by half-time.

It was Maryborough which fought back brilliantly to win the second half, 36-30.

Full-forward Matt Gretgrix marked another five-goal haul for the Two Blues as Riley Saunders, Sam Harper and Tyler Miles were best.

The Magpies attack was led by Jordan Fraser on three goals as Coby Perry, Bodie Malone, Ethan Grech and Connor O’Shea played well.

Sandhurst gained a major lift in percentage from a 125-point win at Castlemaine.

Dragons coach Andy Collins capped a best on ground performance by kicking six goals as Taylor Strachan and Nick Stagg added three each.

By half-time Sandhurst led 84-8, but Castlemaine struck back to score three goals in the third term as Kalan Huntly, Dylan Atkins, Darby Semmens and Braidon Blake led the way.

Sandhurst’s best included Zeb Broadbent, Jake Pallpratt and Zac East.

Ladder after nine rounds:

Strathfieldsaye 32 points, 209 per cent; Eaglehawk 32, 208; Kyneton 26, 145; Golden Square 24, 149; Sandhurst 20, 166; Gisborne 20, 130; South Bendigo 14, 91; Kangaroo Flat 8, 45; Castlemaine 4, 27; Maryborough 0, 43.