SPOILS, smothers, shepherds, blocks, tackles and all the other one per-centers added up as Eaglehawk defeated Bendigo Football Netball League rival Sandhurst in the season’s 16th round on Saturday.

Conditions were not conducive to fast-flowing football as these teams will play in September’s finals action at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

On Saturday it was the gutsy plays from both line-ups that were significant in a duel between second and third on the ladder on Eaglehawk’s turf at Canterbury Park.

Sandhurst led 27-16 at half-time, but from there it was Eaglehawk which seized control.

Led by the play of coach Josh Bowe, Joel Mullen, Sam Harper and Brenton Conforti it was Eaglehawk which capitalised on its attacking play and strong defence to score 4.8 and keep the Dragons goalless in the second half.

Brodie Collins and Jonty Neaves kicked two goals apiece in the 6.12 (48) to 4.9 (33) victory.

Sandhurst’s best were Jake Pallpratt, key defender Matt Thornton, Jake Wilkinson and ruckman Tim Martin.

The Hawks are unbeaten at home this season, while the loss meant the Dragons slipped to the fourth rung ahead of next Saturday’s clash at Maryborough.

Strathfieldsaye Storm’s incredible run at home continued in a 67-point victory against an injury-hit Golden Square.

The Storm led 41-7 at half-time and the intensity never let up as it scored 4.5 to a goal in the third.

By the final siren Strathfieldsaye led 91-24 in a match where it showed it has plenty of scoring options.

Bryce Curnow, Josh Martyn and Lachlan Sharp all kicked two goals apiece for Storm.

Best for the ladder leaders were Trent Donnan, Tom Dowd, Lachy Wallace and Lachy Ratcliffe.

Golden Square’s best were Adam Baird, Jon Coe, Liam Marciano and Lachlan Humphrey.

Gisborne’s goalkicking power was to the fore as the Bulldogs racked up 31 goals against Castlemaine at Gardiner Reserve.

A 31.19 (205) to 4.8 (32) victory by the Bulldogs was a huge lift to their percentage as they kept in contact with the top five.

Ryan Baker and Jake Conolan kicked six and five goals apiece as 10 team-mates joined in the goalkicking spree.

Castlemaine’s only multiple goalkicker was Jake O’Brien on two.

Best for the Bulldogs were Ross Celano, Patrick Trotta, Baker and Matt Goodyear.

Will Moran, Kalan Huntly, O’Brien and Tyler Gavralas worked hard on another tough afternoon for the Magpies.

Gisborne tackles Golden Square in the battle of sixth and fifth at Wade Street next Saturday.

A tough run for Golden Square in the next fortnight is  Gisborne at home this Saturday, and then at Kyneton in the 18th round.

Seven goals by South Bendigo’s star forward Kaiden Antonowicz was crucial in the Bloods 16-point win at Kangaroo Flat.

The Bloods led 45-24 at half-time, but the Roos fought back brilliantly to be within a goal at a quarter to go.

A terrific contest ended in 12.13 (85) to 9.15 (69) win for South Bendigo.

Antonowicz leads the race for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker on 69.

Talented midfielder Mitch Rogerson was South Bendigo’s best and had great support from Antonowicz, Will Keck and Daniel Nalder.

The Bloods defence worked extremely well to keep Cam Rinaldi to a goal and the in-form Dylan Klemm goalless.

Best for Kangaroo Flat were ruckman Nick Lang, Liam Collins, Dylan Klemm and Trent McInnes.

The Roos are at home to Eaglehawk next round, and South Bendigo plays Strathfieldsaye under the QEO lights from 5.30pm on Saturday night.

The classy Ethan Foreman kicked seven goals in Kyneton’s 51-point win against Maryborough at Tigerland.

The margin was 20 points in Kyneton’s favour  at three quarter-time.

The Tigers slammed on 5.7 to a goal in the last term to complete a 13.20 (98) to 6.11 (47) victory and move back to third place and the crucial double chance at finals time.

Jordan Mangan, Billy Mahony, Max O’Sullivan and Foreman, who has kicked 49 goals this season, were best for the yellow and black.

Will Sultana kicked two goals in a match where the talented Lachlan Bond was again Maryborough’s best.

Coby Perry, Jacob Long and Luke Bucknall also played well for the Magpies.

The Tigers face the league’s other Magpies at Castlemaine next Saturday, and Maryborough tackles Sandhurst at Princes Park.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 56 points, 217 per cent; Eaglehawk 52, 181; Kyneton 42, 134; Sandhurst 40, 167; Golden Square 40, 142; Gisborne 36, 132; South Bendigo 30, 97; Kangaroo Flat 16, 54; Maryborough 4, 44; Castlemaine 4, 25.