by Nathan Dole
EAGLEHAWK and Sandhurst starred in the weekend’s start to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s senior footy finals action.

The Hawks won a lopsided qualifying final clash with Kyneton on Saturday, and Sandhurst stayed in the premiership race as it beat Gisborne in Sunday’s elimination final.

Eaglehawk dominated after quarter-time of the qualifying final against Kyneton on day one of the Poyser Trucks Bendigo-backed finals series at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

The Hawks led 28-21 at the first break, but then blitzed for the rest of the contest.

Led by the play of young guns Jack Fallon, Ged Hommelhoff and Jonty Neaves, and the experienced Brodie Collins, Ben McPhee and Brenton Conforti, Eaglehawk scored 18.13 to 2.4 in the last three quarters.

A ruthless Eaglehawk won 22.17 (149) to 5.7 (37).

The in-form Sean Williams kicked five goals as Hommelhoff and McPhee booted three apiece.

A sign of the Two Blues’ dominance was a tally of 12 goalkickers.

Max O’Sullivan was Kyneton’s only multiple goalkicker on two.

Eaglehawk’s relentless run, pressure and slick teamwork showed it’s a serious challenger for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.

Best for a disappointing Tigers outfit were Hamish Govan, Rhys Magin, Leyton Chisholm, Jordan Mangan, Jake Safstrom and Jayden Exell.

The Luke Beattie-coached Kyneton worked hard to earn the double chance and now it’s in play against Sandhurst in next Sunday;s first semi-final.

Hawks’ playing coach Josh Bowe will now work on finding a way to beat Strathfieldsaye for the second time this season in Saturday’s second semi-final.

Sandhurst kept premiership hopes as it eliminated Gisborne in Sunday’s match.

In a closely-fought contest, Sandhurst led 9.9 to 8.8 at three quarter-time.

The finals experience of Sandhurst captain Blair Holmes and Michelsen medallist Lee Coghlan played a big part as the Dragons kicked clear in the last term to complete a 13.10 (88) to 9.11 (65) victory.

Holmes, Jake McLean, Adam Parry and Jed Zimmer all kicked two goals apiece for Sandhurst.

Gisborne’s attack was led by Jake Conolan, Matt Goodyear and coach Clinton Young on two apiece.

Coghlan, Holmes, Jake Pallpratt, McLean, Josh Hann and Nick Stagg were the Dragons’ best.

Gisborne ruckman Josh Grabham played a great game and was well supported by Nick Doolan, Ethan Minns, Anthony Belcher, Patrick Trotta and Jack Reaper.

In his first year as playing coach at Sandhurst, Andy Collins will now plot to end Kyneton’s season in the first semi.

A disastrous Saturday for Kyneton kicked off with a 140-point loss to South Bendigo in the reserves elimination final.

The Bloods led 9.7 to 0.0 at half-time.

Kyneton’s Rory Healy goaled in the third term, but it was South Bendigo which slammed on 10.6 in the last quarter to complete a 22.17 (149) to 1.3 (9) victory.

Captain of the Bloods’ seniors, Brad Wright booted four goals and the talented Tyler McLeod added three in a match where the winners had 13 goalkickers.

Daniel Johnstone was best afield as Seb Wild, Wright, Mitchell Gardner, Nathan Newlan and Tyler McLeod all starred.

On a tough day for the yellow and black, Darcy Kelly, Jacob Plowman, Hayden Ingleton and Matthew Fish worked hard.

The Bloods will face an Eaglehawk line-up on the rebound from defeat when they meet in next Sunday’s first semi-final.

Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye played out an exciting qualifying final on Sunday.

In front by four points at half-time, Storm upped its play to lead 55-40 at a quarter to go.

The Hawks won the final quarter by a goal, but Strathfieldsaye won the match, 12.8 (80) to 11.5 (71).

Wade Donnan capped a best afield performance by kicking four goals for Storm as Josh Martyn added three.

Eaglehawk’s attack was led by Ben Conley, Cody Green, Cory Jacobs and Glen Richardson on two apiece.

Storm’s best were Wade Donnan, Jack Shannahan, Caillum Brady, Jack Neylon, Patrick Blandford and Connor Looney.

Best for the Borough were Cory Jacobs, Dylan Hanley, Glen Richardson, Cody West, Clay Davies and Jake Dickens.

In the under-18s qualifying final, Strathfieldsaye blitzed Sandhurst in the second half.

Storm scored 1.4 in the first half as Sandhurst slammed on 4.5.

After the long break it was Strathfieldsaye which dominated play.

Storm scored 8.10 to 2.6 in the second half to win 9.14 (68) to 6.11 (47).

Jed Rodda led Strathfieldsaye’s attack on three goals as William Wallace added two.

Sandhurst’s Peter Coghlan kicked two goals.

Storm’s best were Jordan Power, Ed Hyett, Logan Dixon, Daniel Clohesy, Riley Wilson and Callum McCarty.

Best for Sandhurst were Ben Worme, Kyle Johnston,Thomas Kay, Blaze Houlden, Peter Coghlan and Jeremy Ellis.

The Dragons will take on Kangaroo Flat in next Sunday’s first semi-final.

The Kangaroos responded to a spirited challenge from Golden Square to win Sunday’s elimination final by five points.

The Roos lead 29-15 at half-time, but the Square fired up to lead 38-36 at a quarter to go.

A great contested ended in an 8.11 (59) to 7.12 (54) win by the Roos.

Max Johnson was Flat’s sole multiple goalkicker on two as Thomas Walters achieved the same feat for the Bulldogs.

Best for Kangaroo Flat were Brodie Fry, Darcy McClure, Ethan Roberts, Caleb Sanders, Kyle Symons and Joel Fisher.

Limited to just 18 available players, Golden Square put in a superb effort in which Kyle Stevens, Harrison Bynon, Tom Strauch, Lachlan Archibald, Harrison Goode and Tully Scanlon starred for the blue and gold.