SANDHURST marked its most important victory of the Bendigo Football Netball League season as it broke Strathfieldsaye Storm’s winning run in Saturday’s 13th round.

Inspired by a six-goal feat by coach Andy Collins, Sandhurst won 16.14 (110) to 9.10 (64) at the QEO.

The 46-point triumph was Sandhurst’s first against a team entrenched in the top four and lifted the Dragons hopes of being a major player at finals time.

Sandhurst’s win and Gisborne’s loss at Kyneton has put the Dragons four points clear of the sixth-placed Bulldogs.

Ex-Richmond player Daniel Connors booted three goals until his match was ended by a leg injury, and Jake McLean chipped in with two majors for the Dragons.

Bryce Curnow and Fergus Payne led Storm’s attack on three goals each.

Led by the play of Collins, Jake Pallpratt, Codie Price and Zeb Broadbent it was the Dragons who brought the skill and heat to end Storm’s winning run on 11 matches.

Best for Strathfieldsaye were Hugh Robertson, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Curnow and Josh Formosa.

Sandhurst heads to Gisborne for next Saturday’s big clash at Gardiner Reserve.

Kyneton’s one-point victory at home has rocked Gisborne’s hopes of a top five finish.

A dramatic contest at Tigerland ended in a 15.12 (102) to 15.11 (101) victory for the yellow and black.

Kyneton also climbed back to third place in the premiership race.

Ethan Foreman led Kyneton’s attack on four goals as Rhys Magin added three.

A spread of 11 goalkickers for Gisborne was led by Josh Grabham, Ethan Minns, Jaidyn Owen and Thomas Wood on two apiece.

Harrison Huntley bolstered his Michelsen Medal chances with another best on ground performance as Jake Ward, Magin and Foreman starred.

Gisborne’s best were Minns, Eamon McKenna, Nicholas Doolan and Grabham.

The Tigers play at Eaglehawk next Saturday.

Eaglehawk gained a psychological edge as a 21-point win sent Golden Square to the fourth rung on the ladder.

The Bulldogs dominated most of the first quarter, but rued some missed chances.

Led the play of Jack Gallon, Cameron McGlashan, Sam Harper and Ben McPhee, Eaglehawk went on to win 15.9 (99) to 11.12 (78).

Justin Bateson kicked some freakish goals in his tally of three as Lachlan Atherton and Sean Williams added two apiece.

Golden Square key forwards Dylan Johnstone and Jayden Burke booted four and three goals in a contest where Adam Baird, Jack Geary, Burke and Jon Coe were their team’s best.

Despite its wayward kicking, Kangaroo Flat scored a 26-point win on Maryborough’s turf at Princes Park.

A tally of 35 scoring shots to 19 was a reflection of the Roos dominance.

By the final siren, Kangaroo Flat led 13.22 (100) to 11.8 (74).

Roos’ co-coach Corey Greer led the attack on three goals as Lachlan Tranter added two.

Maryborough’s leading goalkickers were Jordan Fraser and Coby Perry on three apiece.

One of the Flat’s most consistent players, Liam Collins was best afield as Jonathan Lanyon, Dylan Klemm and Ross Turner played well.

Perry, Jacob Long, Luke Bucknall and Miles Miranda played well for the Magpies.

South Bendigo’s gun forward Kaiden Antonowicz had a match to remember as he kicked 11 goals in his team’s 113-point win at Castlemaine.

The Bloods won 24.12 (156) to 6.7 (43) as Antonowicz was best afield.

Brody Haddow, Brock Harvey and Isaiah Miller also played well for South.

Jack Chester was Castlemaine’s only multiple goalkicker on two.

Tyler Gavralas, Braidon Blake, Jake O’Brien and Anthony Robins were Castlemaine’s best.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 44 points, 181 per cent; Eaglehawk 40, 188; Kyneton 38, 146; Golden Square 36, 177; Sandhurst 32, 173; Gisborne 28, 115; South Bendigo 22, 97; Kangaroo Flat 12, 45; Maryborough 4, 49; Castlemaine 4, 25.