AS MANY of its premiership stars looked on, South Bendigo marked its best performance of the Bendigo Football Netball League season as it beat Golden Square by 15 points on Saturday.

There have been many superb wins in South’s 125 years, but the latest hit-out at the QEO would rate as one of its finest in a home-and-away series.

The Bloods fought back from a 17-point deficit at half-time to dominate the last hour.

The Brady Childs-coached South Bendigo slammed on nine goals in the second half and kept the Dogs to just three to complete a 15.7 (97) to 12.10 (82) victory.

Liam Bartels kicked five goals in a best on ground performance.

All season the Bloods have battled for a spread of goalkickers, but on Saturday they had 10 chip in.

Kaiden Antonowicz booted two and leads the race for the Ron Best Medal on 57 from Strathfieldsaye star Lachlan Sharp on 54.

For Golden Square,  Jake Thrum and Adam Baird kicked four and three apiece and were the Bulldogs best.

Stars for the Bloods included Joel Swatton, Corey Daniels, Daniel Johnstone and Tom Brereton.

On a disappointing day for Square, Dale Lowry and Will Lee worked hard.

The defeat meant Square slipped to fifth place ahead of a tough run to the finals as it plays Kangaroo Flat at home; Strathfieldsaye on Storm’s turf; Gisborne at home; and then Kyneton at Tigerland.

Big occasions for South Bendigo roll on as the Bloods tackle Eaglehawk at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington next Saturday.

Eaglehawk chalked up another victory at Canterbury Park.

The Hawks were stung by Kyneton’s early onslaught, but eight goals to one in the second quarter turned a 19-point deficit into a five-goal lead by the long break.

Led by the play of Ged Hommelhoff, Ben McPhee, Cam McGlashan and coach Josh Bowe, Eaglehawk went on to win 20.18 (138) to 12.8 (80).

Sean Williams kicked a game-high five goals for the Borough as Justin Bateson chipped in with three.

Kyneton’s attack was led by Ethan Foreman on four as Max and Tom O’Sullivan booted three each.

Best for Kyneton were Hamish Govan, Max O’Sullivan, Foreman and Chris Barry.

Sandhurst’s 34-point win at Gisborne has shifted the Dragons sights from making the finals to now grabbing the double chance.

In a contest crucial to the finals aspirations of both clubs, it was Sandhurst which turned up the heat.

Gisborne led 17-10 at quarter-time, but Sandhurst held a two-goal buffer by half-time.

The third quarter was when the Dragons kicked away as they scored 3.2 to 1.2.

A  tally of 30-16 in scoring shots reflected Sandhurst’s dominance as it went on to win 9.21 (75) to 5.11 (41).

Andy Collins, Pascale Craig and Jake McLean all scored two goals for the ‘Hurst.

Gisborne’s only multiple goalkicker was Jake Conolan with two.

Zeb Broadbent, Tim Martin, Jake Pallpratt, and McLean starred for Sandhurst.

Best for Gisborne were Nicholas Doolan, Anthony Belcher, Jaidyn Owen and Heath Simpson.

The Dragons tackle Kyneton at the QEO next Saturday.

Kangaroo Flat racked up 45 scoring shots on its way to a 65-point win against Castlemaine at Dower Park.

An eight-goal blitz in the second quarter put the Roos well in control.

Dylan Klemm kicked six goals and was best afield, as co-coach Corey Greer and Cam Rinaldi chipped in with three apiece.

Castlemaine’s tally of 11 goals was its best since the 12 it scored in the round one victory at Maryborough.

Thomas Hedley and William Moran kicked two goals each against the Flat.

Best for the Roos were Klemm, Greer, Liam Collins and Jonathan Lanyon.

Castlemaine’s best were John Watson, Braidon Blake, Jake O’Brien and Kalan Huntly.

It was a goal-fest at Strathfieldsaye as Storm passed the 200-point mark in its clash with Maryborough.

Bryce Curnow and Fergus Payne kicked seven goals apiece as Hugh Robertson added five in a 30.25 (205) to 7.4 (46) victory.

Storm led 70-27 at half-time and then added 10 goals in the third and 10 in the last as the Pies added just three goals in the second half.

Zac Egan led Maryborough’s attack on two goals.

Storm’s best were Jake Moorhead, Payne, Robertson and coach Troy Coates.

Brady Neill, Jacob Long, Lachlan Bond and Mitch Kennedy worked hard for the Magpies.

In next Saturday’s round, Maryborough is at home to Gisborne, and Strathfieldsaye plays at Castlemaine.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 48 points, 195 per cent; Eaglehawk 44, 186; Kyneton 38, 135; Sandhurst 36, 173; Golden Square 36, 167; Gisborne 28, 110; South Bendigo 26, 99; Kangaroo Flat 16, 52; Maryborough 4, 45; Castlemaine 4, 27.