Round 4

Up to 1,800 players in the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) will take part in a specially themed round this weekend (May 5-7) dedicated to the memory of a teenager who died after a coward punch attack while helping his mates during a night out in Melbourne.

Footballers and netballers in all games will wear yellow armbands – the official colour of Melbourne-based anti-violence charity, the Pat Cronin Foundation, which was established following 19-year-old Pat Cronin’s death in 2016.

BFNL General Manager Cameron Tomlins said the initiative – now in its second year – was a valuable measure in raising awareness of the impacts of violence, and especially the dangers of the coward punch.

“What we’ve seen since coming out of Covid are heightened emotions and this goes hand in hand with our efforts as a responsible sports association to educate players about appropriate responses to anger and aggression – both on and off the field,” he said.

“Since forming a partnership with the Pat Cronin Foundation last year we’ve had many teams sit through its Be Wise educational presentations, delivered here in Bendigo.
“These sessions have really had an impact. Once players have attended a presentation they invariably recommend it to other clubs in the League.”

Foundation director Matt Cronin, the father of Pat, said Bendigo was just one of three Victorian leagues taking part in the round this weekend, with the Northern Football Netball League and Essendon District Football League also involved.

“Our partnerships with the leagues are important because we believe that reaching young people, and particularly young men, at a grassroots level will make the most difference in changing attitudes to social violence,” he said.

“The Foundation is working towards reducing the alarming number of people – well into the thousands - hospitalised each year in Australia due to senseless violence in public settings.

“By giving young people everywhere an understanding of Pat’s story, raising awareness of the impact of violence and offering practical tips and strategies to deal with anger and aggression, we hope to reduce the statistics.”

Reigning BFNL Senior Football premiers Gisborne will take on Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park at 2.20pm Saturday in the feature match of the round. In the A-Grade netball, a tight encounter is expected between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat – happening at the same time.

AFL Central Victoria and the BFNL would like acknowledge Barry Plant Bendigo for their support in this initiative. Barry Plant are a major sponsor of AFL Central Victoria, the BFNL and the Pat Cronin Foundation. The three organisations are proud to share this connection and share the same values in stamping out the coward punch.  

For more information or to partner with the Foundation, visit https://patcroninfoundation.org.au. 

You can also follow the Foundation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/patcroninfoundation/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/patcroninfoundation/ 

About the Pat Cronin Foundation
The Pat Cronin Foundation is dedicated to ending the Coward Punch. Through awareness, education, research and tools, it works with schools, clubs and community groups to empower young people to never to use violence, to be wise, think carefully and act kindly.

Feathers to fly on Eaglehawk’s turf

FEATHERS will be flying as the Eagles and Magpies meet in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy match between Eaglehawk and Castlemaine on Saturday.

The Hawks have home-ground advantage at Canterbury Park for when the feature match in the Pat Cronin Foundation Round starts at 2.20pm.

It’s a crucial contest for both clubs on a day when the league throws its support behind the Pat Cronin Foundation and the work it does in raising awareness about the “coward punch” and the ramifications of violence.

The Foundation will be spreading its message and also fund-raising at all four Bendigo FNL venues.

On the field, Eaglehawk and Castlemaine will be keen to bounce back from defeat.

A one-one record has Eaglehawk clinging to fifth place on percentage  from Castlemaine.

The Magpies kicked off the season by winning the stand-alone match against Maryborough on Good Friday at Camp Reserve.

Since then the Michael Hartley-coached Magpies have been beaten by South Bendigo and Golden Square.

The Hawks will be determined to play well before a parochial home crowd.

Eaglehawk’s best in a two-goal loss at Strathfieldsaye were Billy Evans, Bailey Ilsley, Joel Mullen and Clayton Holmes.

A major factor to the Hawks chances will be in attack where it has the marking power of Jonty Neaves and Darcy Richards.

Big test for Magpies’ defenders Jack Sutherland and Liam Wilkinson.

Huge plus for Eaglehawk is the inclusion of Kallen Geary for his first game of the season.

Geary’s non-stop run and precise disposal is a major weapon from defence or through midfield.

Other key players for the Hawks include Charlie Langford at centre half-back, ruckman Brayden Frost, Ben Thompson and Marcus Angove.

In his first year of coaching, Hartley has kicked 14 goals to be second in the race for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker.

The Magpies named the versatile Bailey Henderson in the centre, but the captain can be a major threat inside the forward 50m arc.

Castlemaine will look for big games from the likes of ruckman Lloyd Butcher, Matt Filo, Kalan Huntly, Zavier Murley, Jack Chester  and John Watson.

It’s been 23 years since Kangaroo Flat has beaten Golden Square.

Several in Kangaroo Flat’s team bound for Wade Street on Saturday were not born when the feat was last achieved.

After a brilliant win against South Bendigo last round the Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroo Flat will be confident of finally ending the Bulldogs’ run.

Doing so will not be easy against the Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square which won last Saturday’s match at Castlemaine by two goals.

A huge plus for the Bulldogs is the availability of the brilliant Ricky Monti to play in an on-ball role or attack.

Monti is on Essendon’s list in the VFL.

Best for the Bulldogs at Castlemaine were Tom Strauch, Kai Daniels, Macey Eaton and Dylan Hird.

Players to watch in the blue and gold include captain Jayden Burke, Jordan Rosengren in the centre, Jon Coe, Jack Stewart and Luke Holt.

The Kangaroos had eight goalkickers as they overran South Bendigo to win by 27 points.

Justin Bateson kicked five goals and looms as a big threat, along with Harry Whitty, Ethan Roberts and Jake Hywood.

Big roles to be played by Luke Ellings on a wing, Toby Roberts in the ruck, Toby Balcke, Josh Leersen and Zach Rouse.

South Bendigo is back at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to take on Gisborne.

The Steven Stroobants and Isaiah Miller-coached Bloods will be fired up after the loss to the Roos.

Brock Harvey kicked eight goals in South’s latest match for a season tally of 19 goals.

The Bloods are up against a team which scored 273 points last round.

South Bendigo will rely a lot on Brody Haddow, Zac Sims, Blake Poyser and Wil McCaig to win plenty of the on-ball and midfield contests.

In attack it will be Harvey, Stroobants and youngsters Will Marks and Zavier Holmes who the Bloods will look to.

Just who takes on Brad Bernacki will have taken up a lot of South Bendigo’s planning.

A tally of 48 disposals, 15 clearances and 274 ranking points earned Bernacki the Guzman Y Gomez Player of the Round last week.

In attack, the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne has Pat McKenna and Harry Luxmoore in hot form.

Ruckman Braidon Blake, ruck-rover Flynn Lakey, Sam Graham, Jack Scanlon and captain Jack Reaper are capable of winning many contests.

Maryborough takes on Sandhurst from 1.40pm at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

Huge challenge for all of Maryborough’s team, especially the midfield and defence.

A Magpies’ team jointly coached by Coby Perry and Matt Johnston will rely a lot on the defensive work of Kya Lanfranchi, Aidan Medlyn, Jack Shay and Alex Brown.

They will be up against the marking power of Fergus Greene and Lachlan Wright, and the elusive Joel Wharton and Nick Stagg.

In the on-ball duels, Maryborough has Liam Maffescioni, Mitch McClure and Coby Perry opposed to Connor Sexton, James Coghlan and Noah Walsh.

Refreshed by the bye, a Sandhurst team coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, has plenty of running power through the likes of Lachlan Tardrew, Cooper Smith and Alex Wharton.

Strathfieldsaye has the bye.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 136 per cent, 12 points; Sandhurst 253, 8; Kangaroo Flat 82, 8; Gisborne 335, 4; Eaglehawk 107, 4; Castlemaine 105, 4; South Bendigo 95, 7; Golden Square 84, 4; Maryborough 28, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

19 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

14 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.

13 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.

8 Justin Bateson, Kangaroo Flat.

8 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.

8 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.

8 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.

8 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.

7 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.

7 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.

7 Joel Wharton, Sandhurst.

7 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.

6 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.

5 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.

5 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.

5 Sam Graham, Gisborne.

5 Zach Greeves, Castlemaine.

5 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.

5 Fraser Russell, Maryborough.

5 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.

5 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.

STRATHFIELDSAYE Storm will strive to stop Sandhurst’s winning streak in Saturday’s fourth round of senior footy action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

Storm has home-ground advantage when the clash at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane starts at 2.20pm.

It’s a big day for the Bendigo FNL as all clubs kick in to support the Pat Cronin Foundation in its campaign to eliminate the Coward Punch and violence.

All footballers and netballers will wear yellow armbands.

For the Darryl Wilson-coached Strathfieldsaye it’s another huge test.

Storm’s run kicked off with a win at Gisborne, loss at home to Golden Square, and then a 97-point victory at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

Captain and gun forward Lachlan Sharp returns to Storm’s line-up from injury.

A Michelsen medallist and dual winner of the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker, Sharp’s quick leading and work at ground level mean he is an incredibly difficult opponent.

Storm’s forward line also includes James Schischka and Baxter Slater.

Lachlan Bonney will also contest his 204^th match for the club.

A multiple premiership winner at Storm, Bonney spent the past two seasons with Torqay in AFL Barwon.

In defence, Storm has Mitch Hallinan, Lachlan Ratcliffe and Luke Webb to play important roles.

It’s a formidable Dragons forward line of Michelsen medallist Lee Coghlan in a pocket, Matt Thornton at full-forward, and former Richmond and Carlton mid/forward Andy Collins in the other pocket.

The Dragons’ best in a 39-point victory against Golden Square at the QEO to retain the Ron Best Memorial Shield included ruckman Hamish Hosking, Cooper Smith, Darcy Mills and James Coghlan.

Now co-coach with Ash Connick at the Dragons, Bryce Curnow is up against a club he won a premiership with and was best afield in the 2019 grand final.

Changes to the Sandhurst line-up include Lachlan Tardrew and Sam Conforti being out to play VFL with Collingwood and Essendon, and also Dayten Uerata.

Ins to the squad are Lee Coghlan, Jake McLean, Jacob Nihill and Isaac Ruff.

Across town, Golden Square and South Bendigo meet at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

The Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs were outplayed for a lot of their duel with the Dragons for the Ron Best Memorial Shield.

Highs on a tough day for the Bulldogs were the play of youngsters Zavier Murley and Jack Hickman.

Among the changes to Golden Square’s team to take on the Bloods was the promotion of Macey Eaton for his first senior game.

The son of Brad, now coaching the Dogs’ reserves team, Macey was the George Symons medallist for fairest and best in last season’s BFNL under-18s competition.

Gun forward Joel Brett will test the Bloods all match, while Jayden Burke has the ability to kick multiple goals.

Other stars for the blue and gold include captain Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley and Jake Thrum.

The Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo has hit back from a first-round loss to Eaglehawk by beating Kangaroo Flat and Kyneton.

Playing on Square’s turf means the pressure will be much higher.

The Bloods welcome back classy small forward Brock Harvey to take on his former club.

South Bendigo also has Steven Stroobants and Will Keck firing in the forward 50m arc.

The play of Mac Cameron in the ruck, Brody Haddow, Cooper Leon, Oscar White, Zac Hare and Andrew van Heumen will be crucial to South Bendigo’s chances.

Feature match of Pat Cronin round is Kangaroo Flat at home to Gisborne at Dower Park.

Both have 1-2 records.

Confidence in a Kangaroo Flat team coached by Nathan Johns has lifted markedly after a hard-fought win at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

Angus Grant kicked four goals to be best afield for the Roos and will be a main target in attack, along with Ethan Roberts, Nicholas Keogh and Harry Whitty.

It’s a huge challenge in the ruck for Gach Chuoi against Braidon Blake who earned the Nalder medal as best on ground in Gisborne’s grand final win.

The Brad Fox-coached Gisborne will be desperate to start well.

Bulldogs’ on-ballers Sam Graham and Flynn Lakey, and centreman Liam Spear will be up against Liam Collins, R.J. Watson and Mitch Trewhella.

Since crossing from Castlemaine, Zac Denahy has led Gisborne’s attack on seven goals.

The Bulldogs will also look to Harry Luxmoore and Matt Merrett to capitalise on forward moves.

It will be Kyneton or Maryborough who mark a long-awaited victory when they clash in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Paul Chapman-coached Tigers have not won since a 133-32 victory at home against Maryborough in last season’s 18^th round.

In the opening three rounds Kyneton has played at Golden Square, clash with Sandhurst at home, and then tackled South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Key players for the yellow and black include Cameron Manuel, Harrison Huntley, Jake Summers and captain James Orr.

Tigers’ on-baller Hamish Yunghanns capped a superb ’22 season by earning the league’s Rising Star award.

The Coby Perry-coached Maryborough has done well to lead at three quarter-time in its clashes with Castlemaine and Kangaroo Flat before being overrun.

The Magpies will be determined to turn that around.

Gun on-ballers Jacob Lohmann and Bailey Edwards were among the best against the Roos, but will not take on the Tigers.

Maryborough will rely a lot on the play of Joel Swatton, Chris Freeman, Brady Neill, captain Ty Stewart, and Kya Lanfranchi.

The ladder-leading Eaglehawk is back at Canterbury Park to take on Castlemaine.

It’s been a brilliant start by the Hawks who led 44-8 at quarter-time on the way to a 112-63 victory at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve last Saturday.

Although he hinted at resting some of the older players, Hawks’ coach Travis Matheson has not done so as Jarryn and Kallen Geary were named to take on the Magpies.

In-form players for the Two Blues include co-captains Billy Evans and Cameron McGlashan, Ben Thompson, Noah Wheeler, Dylan Hanley and Lewin Davis.

A goal for the Brendan Shepherd-coached Castlemaine will be its workrate at centre clearances and stoppages.

The Magpies have the likes of Brodie and Jackson Byrne, John Watson, Callum McConachy ready to accept the challenge.

Other key players for the ‘Maine include Matt Filo, Liam Wilkinson, Lloyd Butcher and Ben Moran.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Eaglehawk 288 per cent, 12 points; Sandhurst 176, 12; South Bendigo 160, 8; Strathfieldsaye 151, 8; Golden Square 116, 8; Gisborne 107, 4; Kangaroo Flat 77, 4; Castlemaine 37, 4; Kyneton 38, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

10 Joel Brett, Golden Square.

10 Will Keck, South Bendigo.

10 Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye.

9 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.

8 Cameron McGlashan, Eaglehawk.

8 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.

8 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.

7 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.

7 Sam Griffiths, South Bendigo.

7 Ryan Hartley, Golden Square.

7 Matt Thornton, Sandhurst.

6 Dylan Hird, Eaglehawk.

6 Liam Marciano, Eaglehawk.

6 Noah Wheeler, Eaglehawk.

5 Braidon Blake, Gisborne.

5 Kallen Geary, Eaglehawk.

5 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

5 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.

5 Thomas Quinn, Kyneton.

Sandhurst smashes league’s record score

SANDHURST smashed the record score achieved by a senior footy team in Saturday’s fifth round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Dragons racked up an incredible tally of 54.23 (347) in a 333-point victory on Maryborough’s turf at Princes Park.

Matches across the BFNL were part of the Pat Cronin Foundation which raised awareness of violence, in particular the “coward punch”.

The day also became a fund-raiser for the foundation and its work with sporting clubs, schools, and community groups.

Previous record score in Bendigo FNL history was 49.28 (322) by the Peter Bradbury-coached South Bendigo against Kennington at Harry Trott Oval, Kennington in 1990.

A tally of 11 goals in the opening term was a remarkable start by Sandhurst against the Magpies.

The Dragons added a remarkable 17 goals in the second to lead 179-13 by half-time.

Sandhurst’s intensity at the contest did not let up.

A team jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, scored 13 goals in the third term and another 13 in the last.

By the final siren, Sandhurst led 54.23 (347) to 2.2 (14).

Lachlan Wright led the Dragons’ attack on 12 goals as Fergus Greene booted nine and Noah Walsh chipped in with seven.

Other multiple goalkickers were Bryce Curnow and Nick Stagg, five; Lachlan Tardrew, four; Lachie Hood and Cobi Maxted, three; and Jake McLean, two.

Fraser Russell kicked both of Maryborough’s goals.

Sandhurst captain Lachlan Tardrew was best afield as Noah Walsh, Lachlan Wright, Fergus Greene, Cooper Smith and James Coghlan won plenty of contests.

Was an incredibly tough afternoon for the Maryborough team and co-coaches Coby Perry and Matt Johnston.

Best for the Magpies were Coby Perry, Kya Lanfranchi, Tom Myers, Aidan Medlyn, Josh Britten and Fraser Russell.

Golden Square’s winning streak of 23 years against Kangaroo Flat will continue for at least another game.

The Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs turned a 13-point lead at quarter-time into a 40-point buffer by half-time as they slammed on 5.5 to 1.2 in the second at Golden Square’s Wade Street ground.

The blue and gold was wary of a Kangaroo Flat team desperate to end the hoodoo and had overrun South Bendigo the previous round.

In this contest it was the classy Ricky Monti who led the Bulldogs to an emphatic 106-29 victory as he kicked four goals and won plenty of the footy in a best on ground performance.

Talented youngster Macey Eaton, a previous winner of the George Symons Medal as fairest and best in the Bendigo FNL under-18s competition kicked two goals.

Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Jack Stewart and hard-running midfielder Zac Tickell on two.

The Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos were held to a tally of three goals in this match.

Best for the Bulldogs included Macey Eaton, Zack Shelton, and Zac Tickell.

Luke Ellings, Daniel Stagg, Toby Roberts, Campbell Smith, Zac Rouse and Josh Halsall worked hard on a disappointing day for the Roos players and supporters.

Feature match of Pat Cronin Foundation Round was Eaglehawk against Castlemaine at the Borough’s Canterbury Park.

The Hawks and Magpies were determined to bounce back from defeat.

The Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk did plenty of attacking across the first half, but was wayard at goal.

By half-time the Hawks led 5.11 (41) to 2.5 (17).

Quarter three was to be Castlemaine’s best as the visitors scored 3.3 to 1.2.

An 11-point lead for the Two Blues at the start of the final term was 42 by the finish as Eaglehawk slammed on 6.3 to 1.2.

At the final siren Eaglehawk led 88-46.

Jonty Neaves led the Hawks’ attack on three goals as Darcy Richards, Mitchell Ronchieri and Ben Thompson added two.

Castlemaine coach Michael Hartley was the Pies only multiple goalkicker on two.

Best for Eaglehawk were Ben Thompson, ruckman Brayden Frost, Clayton Holmes, Billy Evans, Joel Mullen and Charlie Langford.

The Magpies’ best were Bailey Henderson, Kalan Huntly, Zavier Murley, Darby Semmens, Harrison Sheahan and Michael Hartley.

A nine-goal blitz in the second quarter put Gisborne well in control of its match on South Bendigo’s ground at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 20-9 at quarter-time.

In the second the Bulldogs dominated centre breaks and clearances.

Led by the play of ruckman Braidon Blake and on-ballers Jackson Cardillo and Brad Bernacki, Gisborne slammed on 9.4 to a point in the second term.

The Bulldogs’ margin past the century mark by three quarter-time.

Harry Luxmoore’s hot form rolled on as he kicked eight goals in a 186-31 victory.

Other multiple goalkickers for the red, white and blue were Pat McKenna, four; Cardillo, Matt Merrett, Jack Scanlon, three; Zac Denahy and Sam Graham, two.

There were no multiple goalkickers for a Bloods line-up jointly coached by Steven Stroobants and Isaiah Miller.

Gisborne’s best included Luxmoore, Zac Denahy and Flynn Lakey.

Best for the Bloods were Brody Haddow, Jack Francis, Alex Smith, Tait Poyser, Zac Hare and Declan McMahon.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Sandhurst 522 per cent, 12 points; Strathfieldsaye 136, 12; Gisborne 397, 8; Eaglehawk 129, 8; Golden Square 116, 8; Kangaroo Flat 69, 8; Castlemaine 92, 4; South Bendigo 65, 4; Maryborough 19, 0.

Saturday’s fifth round features rivals Sandhurst and South Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It’s the clash of the Bulldogs as Gisborne is on home turf at Gardiner Reserve against Golden Square.

Kangaroo Flat returns to Dower Park to take on Eaglehawk.

Castlemaine and Strathfieldsaye clash at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

Maryborough has the bye.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

20 - (1) - Brock Harvey - South Bendigo 
17 - (4) - Pat McKenna - Gisborne 
16 - (2) - Michael Hartley - Castlemaine 
16 - (8) - Harry Luxmoore - Gisborne 
16 - (12) - Lachlan Wright - Sandhurst 
16 - (9) - Fergus Greene - Sandhurst 
9 - (1) - Bailey Henderson - Castlemaine 
9 - (4) - Lachlan Tardrew - Sandhurst 
8 - (0) - Steven Stroobants - South Bendigo 
8 - (1) - Jayden Burke - Golden Square 
8 - (1) - Harry Whitty - Kangaroo Flat 
8 - (0) - Justin Bateson - Kangaroo Flat 
8 - (7) - Noah Walsh - Sandhurst 
8 - (0) - James Schischka - Strathfieldsaye 
8 - (1) - Joel Wharton - Sandhurst 
7 - (2) - Fraser Russell - Maryborough 
7 - (2) - Jack Stewart - Golden Square 
7 - (2) - Zac Denahy - Gisborne 
7 - (2) - Sam Graham - Gisborne 
7 - (3) - Jonty Neaves - Eaglehawk 
7 - (3) - Cobi Maxted - Sandhurst 

SOUTH Bendigo won a thrilling clash on Golden Square’s turf in Saturday’s fourth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Bloods had not won at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street for many years.

The team in red and white snapped Square’s streak in a dramatic 76-75 result.

On the rebound from defeat, Golden Square led 28-14 at quarter-time, but the Bloods lifted to win the second, 4.3 to 1.2, and led 41-36 by the main break.

A high-scoring third quarter was marked by both line-ups scoring five goals apiece.

The Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs were back in front, 68-67.

There were plenty of defensive efforts and stoppages in the final quarter.

The Bloods score of 1.3 to 1.1 was enough to take the premiership points.

Bloods’ small forward Brock Harvey kicked four goals against his former club.

The pace and skill of Will Keck and Steven Stroobants was always going to test the Dogs and it did as they booted two goals apiece for the Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods.

Captain Jack Geary led Golden Square’s attack on three goals as Hugh Freckleton and Braydon Vaz added two each.

Bloods’ ruckman Mac Cameron played a crucial role in the victory as did Oscar White, Brock Harvey, Braydan Torpey, Tait Poyser and Isaiah Miller.

Golden Square’s best were Jayden Burke, Matt Compston, Jon Coe, Ricky Monti, Ryan Hartley and Jack Geary.

Sandhurst overcame a slow start to score a five-goal win against Strathfieldsaye on Storm’s turf at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

Despite illness and injury testing club depth, Storm started well to lead 14-7 at quarter-time.

Defences were well on top in the second term, but the Dragons score of 2.3 to 0.4  gave them a four-point buffer at the main break.

Both teams scored four goals apiece in the third as Sandhurst led 50-42 at a quarter to play.

Led by James Coghlan, Andy Collins and Isaac Ruff, Sandhurst fired up dominate most of the last term.

The Dragons scored 4.5 to 1.1 to complete a 79-49 victory.

Andy Collins and Lachlan Wright led Sandhurst’s attack on two goals each.

Storm key forward James Schischka kicked a match-high three goals as captain Lachlan Sharp chipped in with two.

Best for a Dragons team jointly coached by Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow included Cooper Smith, Noah Walsh and Matt Wilkinson.

Mitch Hallinan, Jed Brereton, James Schischka, Jake Moorhead, Lachlan Ratcliffe and Luke Webb were best for the Darryl Wilson-coached Storm.

Gisborne kicked away in the second half to score a 94-42 win against Kangaroo Flat on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.

The Brad Fox-coached Gisborne led 22-15 at quarter-time and 42-27 by the long break.

In the third it was the Bulldogs who did plenty of attacking.

Gisborne scored 5.7 and held the Roos to just three points.

Matthew Merett went on to kick a match-high three goals as Shane Clough, Hayden Doricic and Macklan Lord added two each in a 94-42 win by the reigning premier.

The only multiple goalkicker for the Roos was Connor Evans on two.

Gisborne’s best were on-baller Flynn Lakey, Matt Merrett, Sam Graham, Braidon Blake, Luke Ellings and Macklan Lord.

Connor Evans, Noah Furlong, Liam Collins, Toby Roberts, Sam Barnes and Ryan O’Keefe worked hard for the Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroos.

Kyneton broke a three-match losing streak in a big way.

The Paul Chapman-coached Tigers scored 28 goals in a 156-point win against Maryborough at Kyneton Showgrounds.

It was a memorable 150^th match for key defender Harrison Huntley who also kicked two goals.

The classy Cameron Manuel won plenty of contests and kicked three goals in a best afield performance for the yellow and black.

Jake Summers kicked a match-high five goals.

Gun recruit Thomas Quinn kicked four goals and Ethan Foreman marked his best match in his return to Tigerland from Gisborne by booting four goals.

Other multiple goalkickers for Kyneton were captain James Orr, three; and Bailey McGee, two.

Goalkickers for Maryborough were Chris Freeman, Jai Howell, Matt Johnston, and captain Ty Stewart.

The Tigers’ best included Brady Muir, Jye Chambers, Ethan Foreman, Jake Summers and Dom Bennington.

Chris Freeman, Lucas Hurse, Jake Postle, Jai Howell, Cobie Read and Alex Brown were best for the Coby Perry-coached Magpies.

Eaglehawk’s forwards capitalised on the workrate of the midfield and on-ballers to score 30 goals in the clash with Castlemaine on the Borough’s turf at Canterbury Park.

The Hawks scored 9.2 to a point in the first quarter and kicked away to lead 92-13 by half-time.

It was another nine-goal blitz in the third as Kallen Geary, ruckman Connor Dalgleish, and small forward Lewin Davis dominated.

The unbeaten Two Blues went on to win 199-33 against a young Castleamine team coached by Brendan Shepherd.

Davis kicked a match-high six goals and Darcy Richards added four.

The Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen chipped in with three, as did co-captain Billy Evans.

Castlemaine’s leading goalkicker was Callum McConachy on two.

Best for the Travis Matheson-coached Hawks included Marcus Angove, Billy Evans and Ben Thompson.

Brodie Byrne, Matt Filo, Callum McConachy, Liam Wilkinson, David Wilson and Jack Sutherland were best for the Magpies.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Eaglehawk 355 per cent, 16 points; Sandhurst 172, 16; South Bendigo 141, 12; Strathfieldsaye 126, 8; Gisborne 125, 8; Golden Square 112, 8; Kyneton 94, 4; Kangaroo Flat 67, 4; Castlemaine 28, 4; Maryborough 26, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

12 Will Keck, South Bendigo.

12 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.

12 Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye.

11 Joel Brett, Golden Square.

10 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.

10 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.

9 Lewin Davis, Eaglehawk.

9 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

9 Cameron McGlashan, Eaglehawk.

9 Thomas Quinn, Kyneton.

8 Kallen Geary, Eaglehawk.

8 Matt Thornton, Sandhurst.

7 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.

7 Sam Griffiths, South Bendigo.

7 Ryan Hartley, Golden Square.

7 Noah Wheeler, Eaglehawk.

The Graeme Wright Memorial Cup will be up for grabs when South Bendigo meets Sandhurst in next Saturday’s round five showdown at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.

Maryborough is on home turf at Princes Park to take on Golden Square.

Castlemaine and Kangaroo Flat clash on the Magpies’ turf at Camp Reserve.

Strathfieldsaye is back at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to host Eaglehawk.

Gisborne and Kyneton fight for premiership points at Gardiner Reserve.

Square targets back-to-back victories

AFTER breaking its winless run, Golden Square will target back-to-back victories in this Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

Golden Square will be on its court in Wade Street to face Golden Square on a day where the BFNL throws its support behind the Pat Cronin Foundation.

The Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square teamed superbly in the Anzac round match at Catslemaine’s Camp Reserve.

A brilliant effort by the blue and gold was capped with a 40-36 victory against last season’s preliminary finalist.

Another huge challenge for Golden Square this round against a powerful Kangaroo Flat line-up.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos outplayed South Bendigo to score a 60-27 victory in last Saturday’s play on the Dower Park court.

Feature match of the Pat Cronin Foundation Round will be Eaglehawk against Castlemaine at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

The Hawks and Magpies are both on the rebound from defeat.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk worked hard, but could not the take the points in a 33-27 defeat on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

Castlemaine will be determined to bounce back from a home-court loss to Golden Square.

A win-loss tally of one-one has the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine in third place.

After a rest on Good Friday for the stand-alone match as Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team, Castlemaine marked a 41-27 win against South Bendigo at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Magpies were outpointed by Golden Square in Anzac round.

Another big match will be at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington where South Bendigo takes on Gisborne.

The Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods are one-two following losses to Castlemaine and Kangaroo Flat.

Big test for the red and white against the reigning premier.

It’s been a disjointed run for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne which had a bye in round one, beat Sandhurst by four goals at the QEO in round two.

Gisborne was home at Gardiner Reserve for last Saturday’s play against Maryborough.

There was no play in A-grade, but the Bulldogs and Magpies clashed in the other grades.

It’s consecutive Saturdays where the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst will not play.

The Dragons had the bye last round and are drawn to play at Maryborough’s Princes Park in the fourth round.

Strathfieldsaye has the bye.

The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm starts the round sitting in top spot.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Strathfieldsaye 124 per cent, 8 points; Kangaroo Flat 135, 4; Castlemaine 114, 4; Gisborne 110, 4; Eaglehawk 107, 4; Sandhurst 103, 4; Golden Square 80, 4; South Bendigo 66, 4.

A BIG match will be played on Kangaroo Flat’s netball court at Dower Park in Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

Kangaroo Flat takes on Gisborne as the league marks Pat Cronin Foundation Round.

The Roos and the Bulldogs feature in the game of the round as more than 1800 players across the league wear yellow armbands, colour of the Melbourne-based anti-violence charity.

The day also recognises and promotes the vital work the Pat Cronin Foundation has done and will do to highlight the dangers of the coward punch.

For the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat it’s a massive test after big wins against South Bendigo and Maryborough.

The Roos were beaten in the rematch of the ’22 grand final when Sandhurst again triumphed, 47-37 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Gisborne has made an impressive start to the season.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat Strathfieldsaye at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round one and won a closely-fought contest at Castlemaine a week later.

The team in red, white and blue goes into this match after a 23-goal win at home against Eaglehawk last Saturday.

Last time the Roos played Gisborne was in the ’22 preliminary final.

Kangaroo Flat won 52-49 to progress to the season decider.

Strathfieldsaye is at home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Sandhurst.

Another massive test for the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm which has improved in many areas, but just not been able to put four quarters together.

Storm has a 1-2 record, but has faced two of last year’s finalists in Gisborne and Castlemaine in away games.

A red-hot Sandhurst passed the century mark in last Saturday’s showdown with Golden Square on Ron Best Memorial Shield day.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst looks to have too much attacking flair for Storm to stop.

Kyneton and Maryborough meet in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers will be determined to mark their second win and keep the heat on those in fourth and fifth place.

After a slow start against South Bendigo, Kyneton did lift but the Bloods’ eight-goal buffer it gained in the first term proved too much.

At the final whistle the Tigers were down 44-48 at South Bendigo’s new home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

Key players for Kyneton include Bec Ingleton, Brooke and Rachelle Mangan, Michelle Fletcher and Tilly Shepherd.

The Jordan Macilwain-coached Maryborough has a 1-2 record and will be keen to show it learnt plenty from last week’s hit-out against the powerful Kangaroo Flat team.

Golden Square is at home to face South Bendigo at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

The Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square will have worked a lot on defensive skills and strategy in the lead-up to this match.

South Bendigo has a 2-1 record and will be determined to build on last week’s hard-fought win against Kyneton.

A talented Bloods’ line-up coached by Jannelle Hobbs includes the classy Chloe Gray in mid-court, Steph Goode and Alicia McGlashan.

Eaglehawk is up against Castlemaine at Canterbury Park.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks have played South Bendigo, Maryborough and Gisborne so far.

A big test for the Two Blues against a Castlemaine team which Caitlin Richardson and Jane O’Donohue in top form.

Magpies’ coaches Gary Cooke and Fiona Fowler will not want a drop in standards leading into the round five match against Kangaroo Flat at Camp Reserve.

Standings after three rounds in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 204 per cent, 12 points; Gisborne 165, 12; Kangaroo Flat 150, 8; South Bendigo 124, 8; Castlemaine 116, 8; Kyneton 113, 4; Strathfieldsaye 105, 4; Maryborough 76, 4; Eaglehawk 55, 0; Golden Square 31, 0.

KANGAROO Flat overcame a half-time deficit of three goals to beat Gisborne in Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs have played out many great matches in recent years and Saturday’s clash on the Roos’ court at Dower Park did not disappoint.

The Roos led 12-10 at quarter-time, but the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne lifted in the second to win it 12-7 and hold a three-goal buffer by the main break.

Kangaroo Flat fought back strongly to 33-32 at a quarter to go.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos held their nerve and with precise passes through the mid-court were able to  win the final term, 11-10, and claim the premiership points in a 44-42 victory.

South Bendigo dominated its showdown with Golden Square at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods made it a 3-1 record after an 81-28 victory.

After a closely-fought opening three quarters, Castlemaine surged clear in the last for a 50-37 win at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

Scores were locked on 11-all at quarter-time as the Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine was under pressure from the Two Blues.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks worked hard to be within four goals at half-time and within two going into the last.

Castlemaine capitalised on turnovers and more entries to its attacking third to score 18 goals and held the Two Blues to just seven to complete a 13-goal win.

A tally of 17 goals in the first quarter gave Kyneton an eight-goal buffer in the clash with Maryborough at Kyneton Showgrounds.

It was high-scoring match between the Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers and the Jordan Macilwain-coached Magpies.

Kyneton led 32-19 at half-time, but the Pies did well in a 12-15 run in the third.

The yellow and black finished strongly to complete a 64-47 victory.

Sandhurst’s unbeaten streak kept rolling as the maroon and blue marked a 30-goal win at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 13-6 at quarter-time and then dominated the second to lead 25-9 by the main break.

The Dragons won the third, 14-6, and the last, 14-8, for a 53-23 result against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 205 per cent, 16 points; South Bendigo 156, 12; Gisborne 141, 12; Kangaroo Flat 136, 12; Castlemaine 121, 12; Kyneton 122, 8; Strathfieldsaye 87, 4; Maryborough 73, 4; Eaglehawk 59, 0; Golden Square 32, 0.

Highlight of Saturday’s fifth round will be South Bendigo against Sandhurst on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day in the Bloods’ new home at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.

Another big match will be at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve where the Magpies face Kangaroo Flat in the showdown between fourth and fifth.

Maryborough is home at Princes Park to play Golden Square.

Strathfieldsaye is back at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to host Eaglehawk.

Gisborne and Kyneton fight for premiership points at Gardiner Reserve.

Round four scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 38 lt Gisborne 51, Golden Square 30 lt South Bendigo 51, Eaglehawk 52 d Castlemaine 48, Strathfieldsaye 26 lt Sandhurst 59, Kyneton bye.

B-grade:

Kangaroo Flat 47 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 33 lt South Bendigo 34, Eaglehawk 45 d Castlemaine 43, Kyneton 44 d Maryborough 29, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 53.

B-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 59 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 21 lt South Bendigo 25, Eaglehawk 48 d Castlemaine 24, Kyneton 41 d Maryborough 33, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 36.

17-and-under:

Kangaroo Flat 36 lt Gisborne 50, Golden Square 67 d  South Bendigo 15, Kyneton 14 lt Maryborough 58, Eaglehawk 30 lt Castlemaine 37, Strathfieldsaye 38 lt Sandhurst 58.

Bendigo FNL ladders after four rounds of netball:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 211 per cent, 16 points; Sandhurst 203, 16; South Bendigo 138, 16; Castlemaine 84, 8; Kyneton 74, 8; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Kangaroo Flat 75, 4; Strathfieldsaye 67, 4; Golden Square 64, 0.

B-grade:

Sandhurst 192 per cent, 16 points; Gisborne 155, 12; Kangaroo Flat 116, 12; South Bendigo 109, 12; Strathfieldsaye 94, 8; Eaglehawk 81, 8; Kyneton 82, 4; Golden Square 79, 4; Castlemaine 74, 2; Maryborough 62, 2.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 224 per cent, 16 points; Kangaroo Flat 166, 12; Gisborne 129, 12; Eaglehawk 123, 12; Strathfieldsaye 145, 8; South Bendigo 128, 8; Golden Square 59.6, 4; Castlemaine 59.1, 4; Kyneton 45, 4; Maryborough 42, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 187 per cent, 16 points; Maryborough 179, 16; Gisborne 174, 16; Golden Square 204, 12; Kangaroo Flat 100, 4; Castlemaine 78, 4; Strathfieldsaye 77, 4; Eaglehawk 71, 4; South Bendigo 57, 4; Kyneton 23, 0.

IT’S more than premiership points at stake when Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne meet in this Saturday’s football and netball matches at Dower Park.

Round four in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season features the Roos and Bulldogs in the Pat Cronin Foundation match.

All clubs and more than 1800 players across the BFNL will be involved by wearing yellow armbands, official colour of the Melbourne-based anti-violence charity.

The day will be a fund-raiser for the foundation’s crucial work across the country, but also to highlight the dangers of the Coward Punch.

Theme of this weekend’s round which will involves the Eastern District, Northern FNL, and Bendigo FNL is Think PAT – Pause, Accept, Think.

Key messages are to pause and stay calm in situations; accept people do get angry, but violence is not okay; and you do have choices – walk away, defuse the situation, distract yourself.

Bendigo FNL general manager Cameron Tomlins said the initiative was crucial in raising the awareness of the impacts of violence, especially the coward punch.

“Since forming a partnership with the Pat Cronin Foundation last year we’ve had many teams sit through its Be Wise educational presentations in Bendigo,” Tomlins said.

Formed after Pat’s death at the age of 19 when struck from behind in a brawl outside a pub, the foundation has done and continues to do plenty of work in schools, clubs, and community groups.

Pat’s father and foundation director, Matt Cronin said partnerships with football-netball leagues were  incredibly important.

“We believe that reaching young people, particularly young men, will make the most difference in changing attitudes to social violence.

“By giving young people an understanding of Pat’s story, raising awareness about the impact of violence, and offering practical tips and strategies to deal with anger and aggression we can a long way to reducing the statistics.”

The support of Barry Plant Bendigo is also crucial to this day.

Barry Plant is a major sponsor of AFL Central Victoria, the Bendigo FNL, and Pat Cronin Foundation.

“The three organisations are proud to share this connection and share the same values in stamping out the coward punch,” said Tomlins.

Ambassadors for the Pat Cronin Foundation include Richmond great and Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson; Fremantle Dockers forward Sam Switkowski; comedian and actor Peter Helliar; and Sarah Mayo who plays AFLW for Collingwood.

After a breakthrough victory on the footy field last round, Kangaroo Flat’s confidence is up going into a big game against the reigning premier.

Both clubs have a 1-2 record.

The Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroos will focus a lot on centre breaks, work at stoppages, and creating enough scoring chances to put the heat on the Bulldogs.

A tally of 45 disposals which included 33 kicks earned Kangaroo Flat midfielder/onballer Liam Collins the Barry Plant Player of the Week award in the third round.

Collins also won nine clearances and finished with 173 ranking points as the Roos won at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne have been among the netball competition’s top three for many seasons.

In this season’s premiership race, Gisborne has won all three matches and second on the ladder.

The Kangaroos have a 2-1 record and are third going into Saturday’s big contest on their court.

Last time these teams met was the 2022 preliminary final which ended in a 52-49 victory for the Kangaroos.