Strathfieldsaye

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Strathfieldsaye’s memories of their horror string of losses at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve were finally over by the end of July a decade back.

So a great milestone was marked that winter’s day in 2013.

The Storm recorded a victory at the Graveyard for the very first time since they’d joined the league.

And they dominated play after quarter time and smothered Gisborne’s inaccurate forward line.

The home side could muster just six goals while at the other end Storm goal-sneaks drilled 13 majors.

Lachlan Sharp booted four majors on the day while the Storm’s other key forward, Tom Bartholomew nailed three.

The rival coaches had a bit to say in the days leading up to the big game. On Thursday and Friday, especially.

Bulldogs’ coach Kevin Fitzgerald knew the pressure was on his side as the Rd. 14 loss to the Hurst had sent Gisborne tumbling from third spot on the ladder to an unwanted berth outside the Top Five.

Gisborne was sixth going into the match against the Storm.

“We know that this game against the Storm will be a massive game for us. And this was even before we got beaten last week,” Fitzgerald said on the Friday night leading into the big game.

“It’s been a fairly long week out on the track, as you’d expect, but we can only do what we can do tomorrow (Saturday),” Fitzgerald said.

“And hopefully that’ll be good enough.”

Storm coach Darryl Wilson was pleased he’d be taking the club’s strongest team of the season down to the Gardiner Reserve.

But he was completely aware that “paper teams” meant absolutely nothing.

“All they mean is that we think we’ve got a good team which we’ll put out there, so now it’s up to the 22 blokes we’ve picked to go out onto the Graveyard and perform,” the coach said.

Storm’s four important additions included Sam Mildren, Tom Bartholomew, Vinnie Flood and Ben Lester.

Gisborne’s ‘revolving selection door’ continued to roll with ace forward Luke ‘Rolls Royce’ Saunders (knee), Eamon McKenna (ankle) along with Ethan Minns and Mark Maric all out.

In came key forward Matthew Knox, Ben Sullivan, Jarryd Vernon and Ben Grech.

Coach Fitzgerald said it had been a problem all season in 2013 with the constant team changes caused by injuries and unavailability.

“We’ve had four, five up to six changes at different stages this season which has made it really difficult for blokes to play together --- and more importantly to work for each other.

“When they’re constantly in and out that’s been one of the most frustrating parts of the season.”

The Graveyard coach said only a season earlier, in 2012, Gisborne was able to get a side onto the park each week with just one or two changes.

Leading into the big game Storm’s Wilson put the acid on his midfielders to lift.

“We need our midfield to pick up their act.

“That’s probably where we’ve been disappointed as a group and we are not shying away from that.

“We don’t think the ball’s been going our way often enough from the stoppages,” Wilson said.

“And there’s no doubt accountability will be a key and Gisborne does that very well.”

And so, onto the actual game.

The Graveyard Dogs could not find a marking target inside their forward 50 the whole afternoon, whereas Storm had Mildren, Bartholomew, Lachlan Sharp and Kris Lea as targets,

Plus Strathfieldsaye’s mids in Wayne Schultz (the ex-Maine Michelsen Medal on-baller), Shaun Everington, Flood and the super-reliable Shannon Geary responded to Wilson’s end-of-week pleas and really stepped up.

They were fed match-long by key big man Michael Pilcher.

And free-flowing defender Tom Dowd set up numerous attacks into the forward zone with his penetrating runs from half-back.

As I’ve noted, Sharp ended the Graveyard game with four snag rolls, Bartholomew added three while evergreen Shannon Geary --- he’s still going around as a 36-year-old --- booted two.

Goal-sneak Darren Farrugia was the only effective home side player inside 50 and he ended the day with three majors.

Accuracy wasn’t part of Gisborne’s kicking a decade back.

They had 2.10 on the scoreboard at the main break and trailed by 19 points. And then by the last break the Storm had rocketed out to a 33-point advantage: 9.8 to 3.11.

Sharp shot through two of his four goals in the final term after the Bulldogs had mounted a mini-challenge.

But then Strathfieldsaye’s Lachlan Bonney was rewarded for a great tackle and he drilled the decider in the time-on period.

Final sores split round 15: S’saye 13.9 (97) def. Gisborne 6.12 (48) and Sandhurst 22.16 (148) def. Kang. Flat 4.8 (32).

Advertiser Footballer of the Year standings: Mark Lloyd (GS) 25 votes; Mitch Hough (KF) 24; Simon Rosa (GS) 21; Kain Robins (Eh) 20 and Jarryd Graham (C’maine) 19.

A grade netball results: S’hurst 62 def. K. Flat 48 and Gisborne 72 def. S’saye 32.

To complete 2013’s split round 15: Eaglehawk (1st) vs. G Square (4th), South Bendigo (5th) vs. M’borough (7th) and Kyneton vs. Castlemaine: only in the Reserves. Kyneton seniors were in a one-season recess a decade back.

Plus, 10 years ago, Maryborough and Castlemaine had no under-18 sides so the Kyneton Threes were to enjoy an extra bye.

IT WILL be Sandhurst or Strathfieldsaye which qualifies for the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy grand final by winning Saturday’s preliminary final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

A later starting time of 2.50pm applies at the View Street ground to allow for the Bendigo Junior Football League’s under-16 grand final being played on the iconic turf.

Victorious in both home-and-away matches with Storm, the Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow-coached Sandhurst will start favourite against Strathfieldsaye.

At stake is a place against Gisborne to vie for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.

Although it finished on top of the ladder, Sandhurst could not halt Gisborne’s run to 23-point victory in last Saturday’s second semi-final.

The Dragons have added Darcy Mills to their squad of 23.

Strathfieldsaye showed plenty of fighting spirit to overcome injuries and playing into the breeze in the final quarter to score a 78-70 victory against Golden Square in the first semi-final.

Storm’s depth will be tested as Shannon Geary, Charlie King and Darcy Mulquiny are all out because of injury.

Strathfieldsaye coach Luke Freeman and the match committee have promoted Hugh Behrens, Charles Dole and Carson James for the big clash.

A key factor in Saturday’s contest will be the on-ball and midfield duels.

After facing Braidon Blake last week, Sandhurst ruckman Connor Sexton takes on Tim Hosking.

Their tapwork at centre clearances and boundary throw-ins will be crucial.

Hosking racked up 58 hit-outs against Golden Square.

At ground level Sandhurst has captain Lachlan Tardrew, Noah Walsh and Caleb Connick.

It’s been a big week for Tardrew who was cleared of a striking charge at Wednesday night’s tribunal hearing.

The gun on-baller/midfielder has starred in many of the Dragons’ matches and is among the favourites to claim the Michelsen Medal as league fairest and best on Sunday night.

A talented on-ball group for Storm includes Daniel Clohesy, Lachlan Gill and Matt Harvey.

The firepower of Sandhurst’s attack led by Fergus Greene who claimed the Ron Best Medal, along with Lachlan Wright and Cobi Maxted will test Storm.

At ground level there is Joel Wharton who brilliantly swoops and rarely missing goalscoring chances.

Storm defenders Lachlan Ratcliffe, Patrick Blandford, Caleb Ernst, Ben Lester and Mitch Hallinan face a huge challenge.

At the other end of the ground, Dragons’ defenders Liam Ireland, Bryce Curnow, Isaac Ruff and James Coghlan will be opposed to Malik Gordon, Cooper Jones, Zach Charles and Riley Wilson in Storm’s attack.

Sandhurst’s team:

B: Isaac Ruff, Liam Ireland, Isaac Carracher.

Hb: Harrison Free, Bryce Curnow, James Coghlan.

C: Cooper Smith, Noah Walsh, Caleb Connick.

Hf: Matt Wilkinson, Lachlan Wright, Jake McLean.

F: Fergus Greene, Cobi Maxted, Joel Wharton.

Foll: Connor Sexton, Lachlan Tardrew, Lachie Hood.

Inter (from): Nick Stagg, Tanner Nally, Zach Pallpratt, Darcy Mills, Dayten Uerata.

Strathfieldsaye’s team:

B: Patrick Blandford, Caleb Ernst, Charles Dole.

Hb: Mitch Hallinan, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Daniel Clohesy.

C: Lachlan Gill, Caleb Sheahan, Jye Chambers.

Hf: Zach Charles, Cooper Jones, Carson James.

F: Riley Mulquiny, Malik Gordon, Riley Wilson.

Foll: Tim Hosking, Matt Harvey, Bode Stevens.

Inter: Ben Lester, Shannon Murphy, Hugh Behrens, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy.

In the Drummond Golf reserves competition, Gisborne takes on Strathfieldsaye from 12.45pm.

The Bulldogs are on the rebound from an eight-point loss to Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

A big week for Gisborne kicked off with Jacob Murphy claiming the Alan McDonald Medal as league fairest and best for a second time.

Murphy and his team-mates will be desperate to gain a chance to play for a premiership medal.

They take on a Strathfieldsaye line-up which won the elimination final against Eaglehawk by 16 points and then beat Golden Square in the first semi-final by 25 points.

In this season’s meetings, Gisborne beat Storm by 22 and 73 points.

Key players for the Bulldogs include ruckman Boyd Nalder, Elijah Brereton at full-back, Adam Brancastisano in the centre, Jarrad Lynch on a wing, Matthew Barake at full-forward.

Storm’s line-up includes Declan Lowther at centre half-back, James Blood in the centre, Jai Featherby at half-forward, Abe Sheahan, Siologa Siu, and ruckman Ned Hayes.

It’s the battle of the Bulldogs as Golden Square tackles Gisborne in the Sportspower under-18 from 10.45am.

Most recent meeting was the qualifying final which Golden Square won by 47 points.

The blue and gold went down in a 33-31 thriller against Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

Gisborne won last Sunday’s first semi-final against Castlemaine by 15 points.

Runner-up for the George Symons Medal as league fairest and best, Melvic Pambai will play a crucial role for Golden Square.

Best for the blue and gold in the second semi-final were Oliver Eaton, Lincoln McKern, Riley Dillon and Jack McMahon.

Golden Square’s squad includes Archie Eaton, Lachlan Ross and Bailey Warfe.

Gisborne’s line-up includes captain Lachlan Evans, Brodie Clarke, Campbell Johns, Jye Zerafa, Jacob Floreani and Charlie Ozanne.

Action kicks off with the Bendigo JFL’s under-16 grand final at 8.45am between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye

Strathfieldsaye fights on to end Golden Square’s run

STRATHFIELDSAYE Storm showed plenty of fighting spirit to win the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s senior footy first semi-final against Golden Square on Sunday.

Storm and the Bulldogs were in a clash to keep their premiership dream alive on Queen Elizabeth Oval.

After Storm surged to a 25-9 lead by quarter-time it was the Bulldogs who capitalised on the breeze in the second to score 4.3 as Strathfieldsaye added just two behinds.

Storm looked to be in all sorts after injuries put Charlie King and Darcy Mulquiny out of the game in the second quarter.

Despite injuring his hamstring, Shannon Geary switched from defence to play deep in the forward 50m arc to ensure Storm had some rotations off the bench in the second quarter.

Talented youngster Jaidi Jackson-Leahy also played on through injury.

Their efforts inspired team-mates as the Luke Freeman-coached Strathfieldsaye won the third quarter, 42-12.

Playing into the breeze and limited by just 18 fully-fit players raised concerns for some in the Storm camp.

Led by the play of Bode Stevens, Daniel Clohesy and Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye scored 1.3 in the last and more importantly kept the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs to a score of 3.4.

At the final siren Strathfieldsaye celebrated a 78-70 victory in one of the club’s most memorable finals matches.

Best for Golden Square were Jordan Rosengren, Tom Toma, Terence Reeves and Jack Threlfall.

Strathfieldsaye’s next target is Sandhurst in Saturday’s preliminary final.

The Dragons were outplayed for a lot of the second semi-final showdown with Gisborne.

At one stage the Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs had gained a 38-point lead against the Dragons.

Although Sandhurst won the last term, 28-13, it was Gisborne which was first to qualify for the September 21 grand final as it claimed an 89-66 victory.

The Bulldogs are in the box seat to claim the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.

Zac Denany led the Bulldogs’ attack on three goals as Brad Bernacki and Matt Merrett added two each.

Sandhurst’s leading goalkickers were Fergus Greene and Cobi Maxted on two.

Gun on-baller Flynn Lakey was best afield for Gisborne as Zach Vescovi, Brad Bernacki and Macklan Lord won plenty of contests.

Best for Sandhurst were Lachlan Tardrew, Cooper Smith, Harrison Free and Noah Walsh.

After finishing the home-and-away series on top of the ladder the Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow-coached Dragons now have plenty of work to do to gain another crack at Gisborne.

There will be at least one change to Gisborne’s team for the grand final after Shane Clough sustained a season-ending broken jaw.

In the reserves competition, Strathfieldsaye won the first semi-final against Golden Square by 25 points to set up a preliminary final showdown with Gisborne.

The Sandhurst Dragons fired up for an eight-point win against the Bulldogs in the second semi-final as Wil Pinniger, Darcy Mills, Rory Ellett and Brodie Montague were best.

Sandhurst is first to the SporstPower under-18s grand final after a two-point victory against Golden Square in the second semi-final.

The Jarrod Bateson-coached Dragons led 25-13 at half-time, but the Bulldogs bit back to win the third term, 16-7.

The final quarter went Square’s way, 2-1, but the Dragons led 33-31 at the final siren.

Oscar Cail kicked three goals for Sandhurst as Jaxon Howard, Will Bassett and Charles Duke were best.

The Bulldogs’ attack was led by James Wilkinson with two goals as Oliver Eaton, Lincoln McKern, Riley Dillon and Jack McMahon.

It’s an all-Bulldogs clash in the preliminary final after Gisborne won Sunday’s first semi-final against Castlemaine by 15 points.

Bendigo FNL footy first semi-finals scoreboard:

Seniors:

Strathfieldsaye 3.7 3.9 9.15 10.18 (78)

Golden Square 1.3 5.6 7.6 10.10 (70)

GOALS – Strathfieldsaye: Lachlan Gill, Matt Harvey 2, Zach Charles, Daniel Clohesy, Shannon Geary, Malik Gordon, Shannon Murphy, Riley Wilson. Golden Square: Jordan Rosengren 4, Jack Stewart, Tom Toma 2, Jayden Burke, Hugh Freckleton.

BEST – Strathfieldsaye: Bode Stevens, Daniel Clohesy, Riley Wilson, Matt Harvey, Malik Gordon, Lachlan Ratcliffe. Golden Square: Jordan Rosengren, Tom Toma, Terence Reeves, Jack Threlfall, Jon Coe, Dylan Hird.

Drummond Golf Reserves:

Strathfieldsaye 0.2 2.5 3.7 7.12 (54)

Golden Square 0.0 1.1 3.4 4.5 (29)

GOALS – Strathfieldsaye: Siologa Siu, Jye Stephens 2, Hugh Behrens, Ned Hayes, Carson James. Golden Square: Paul Symons 3, Lachlan Monti.

BEST – Strathfieldsaye: Ned Hayes, Carson James, Dermott Bell, Hugh Behrens, Charles Dole, Charlie Morrison. Golden Square: Lachlan Monti, Rory McCrann-Peters, Zac Tickell, Bailey Rackstraw, Dean Norris, Noah Warfe.

Sportspower under-18s:

Gisborne 2.5 4.5 8.9 9.10 (64)

Castlemaine 2.2 4.5 4.5 7.7 (49)

GOALS – Gisborne: Harrison Bryant, Wilhem Mackay 2, James Bullen, Lucas Hannon, Campbell Johns, Diesel Lewis, Jack Rutten. Castlemaine: Chaz Holman 3, Jackson Balcombe, Kyan Martin, Mitchell McKnight, Jack Nuttall.

BEST – Gisborne: Campbell Johns, Jacob Floreani, Baden Dickins, Thomas Dawson, Diesel Lewis. Castlemaine: Thomas Ford, Archie Rixon, Chaz Holman, Mitchell McKnight, Alton Bracken, Jackson Balcombe.

Bendigo FNL footy second semi-finals scoreboard:

Seniors:

Gisborne 4.3 6.5 11.10 13.11 (89)

Sandhurst 3.1 4.5 5.8 9.12 (66)

GOALS – Gisborne: Zac Denahy 3, Brad Bernacki, Matt Merrett 2, Braidon Blake, Shane Clough, James Gray, Dylan Johnstone, Harry Luxmoore, Pat McKenna. Sandhurst: Fergus Greene, Cobi Maxted 2, Bryce Curnow, Cooper Smith, Lachlan Tardrew, Dayten Uerata, Lachlan Wright.

BEST – Gisborne: Flynn Lakey, Zach Vescovi, Brad Bernacki, Macklan Lord, Frank Schipano, Liam Spear. Sandhurst: Lachlan Tardrew, Cooper Smith, Harrison Free, Noah Walsh, Cobi Maxted, James Coghlan.

Drummond Golf reserves:

Sandhurst 3.0 3.2 4.6 5.6 (36)

Gisborne 0.1 1.6 2.7 3.10 (28)

GOALS – Sandhurst: Luke Crawford, Jack Keating, Brodie Montague, Oscar Perez, Alex Wharton. Gisborne: Hayden Doricic, Luke Weber, Tom Wood.

BEST – Sandhurst: Wil Pinniger, Darcy Mills, Rory Ellett, Brodie Montague, Oscar Perez, Jack Keating. Gisborne: Boyd Nalder, Ed Williams, Rohan Nicol, Jacob Murphy, Tom Wood, Kane Minns.

Sportspower under-18s:

Sandhurst 2.1 4.1 5.2 5.3 (33)

Golden Square 1.0 2.1 4.5 4.7 (31)

GOALS – Sandhurst: Oscar Cail 3, Joseph Artavilla, Finlay Lockhart. Golden Square: James Wilkinson 2, Archie Eaton, Jack McMahon.

BEST – Sandhurst: Jaxon Howard, Will Bassett, Charles Duke, Oscar Cail, Deakin Andrews, Shannon Tardrew. Golden Square: Oliver Eaton, Lincoln McKern, Riley Dillon, Jack McMahon, Melvic Pambai.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

Under-18s at 10.45am: Golden Square v Gisborne.

Reserves at 12.45: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

Seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.

With thanks to Barry Plant Bendigo & Premier Data, let's compare the top 5 performers (ranking points) from last weekend's Preliminary Finals

With thanks to Barry Plant Bendigo & Premier Data, let's compare the top 5 performers (ranking points) from last weekend's Qualifying Finals

With thanks to Premier Data & Bendigo Addy Sport, compare the top 5 ranked players on the ground from the first week of the 2024 Finals Series

With thanks to Barry Plant Bendigo & Premier Data, let's compare the top 5 performers (ranking points) from last weekend's First Semi Finals

Strathfieldsaye and South Bendigo enjoyed markedly different outcomes in the BFNL seasons between 2010 and 2019.

South played just three seasons in the finals for a win-loss record of 2-4 while the Storm fronted for finals in eight of those 10 years winning four premierships (in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019) and finished with a 13-8 win-loss record in September action.

They were runners-up in 2013 and 2018. Of course, there were no finals in both 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

It’s amazing to look back at cold, hard facts half-a-decade after stats for a 10-year period have been compiled, seasons wound up and premierships collected.

The Storm were newcomers to BFNL footy when the decade unrolled but by the end they were the BFNL football powerhouse.

And they started their upwards rise from 2010 (7th), up to 6th a season later and then into 3rd slot by 2012.

Grand finals followed in 2013 and 2014 after that third-placed finish 11 years back: in 2012.

Worst season for the Storm in the mid-2010s was 2016 when they finished fourth. They lost to Eaglehawk in the first semi-final.

In contrast the Bloods also started the Teens pretty well finishing runner-up to Square in 2010 (after losing to Square also in 2009) and were in the Top Five in 2011 and again in 2012.

Ironically the Bloods lost the 2012 elimination final to the Storm and then tumbled to sixth in 2013 with nine wins and a draw --- their first finish outside the finals-bound sides since 2004.

Then came one of South Bendigo’s most impotent seasons as they finished in the 2014 cellar, in 10th spot (2 wins, 16 losses), claiming their first wooden spoon since 1965.

Jut as had been the case in the mid-Sixties the Bloods managed just a pair of wins in 2014 ending up with a 2-16 record.

Just as playing coach Nathan Horbury has been for the Bloods in the early 2020s, South’s top player of the decade was unquestionably Aaron Connaughton.

One of the highlights between 2010 and 2019 was registered in 2017: Rd. 6.

It was Aaron’s 150th senior game and, up against major QEO rivals Sandhurst, South roared home by 30 points.

By registering that victory the Bloods regained the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup for the first time since 2013. Four seasons leaving the prized Cup in the Dragons’ lair.

But it wasn’t the only memorable victory during the 2010-2019 decade.

South Bendigo beat Golden Square by 15 points on the Saturday in July they celebrated their 125th BFL season.

The vital victory was registered in July of 2018. So from foundation year 1893 to 2018 marked 125 years.

Another big milestone, albeit on a personal level in 2018, came when classy key forward Kaiden Antonowicz won the 2018 Ron Best medal by booting 76 majors.

His overall tally for the decade was 174 goals. Joining Kaiden on more than a century of majors were Michael Leech (152) and Steven ‘Stroobie’ Stroobants on 103.

The decade was also memorable for another milestone.

It marked the Bloods’ transition from the QEO to the Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington and they played their first matches there for premiership points in 2014.

Among other personal milestones was the selection by the Adelaide Crows of South’s No. 1 ruckman Kieran Strachan in the 2018 AFL rookie draft.

Strachan had won a South club fairest and best award before the Crows picked him up.

Centre half-forward Justin ‘Harry’ Maddern was South’s sole representative in the Team of the Decade.

He played with South in the 2012 and 2013 seasons, taking out the Ron Best medal in his final season: 2013.

Overall records for the decade --- South Bendigo: won 82, drew 2 and lost 100 in 184 total games. Average scores for and against: 84/85. Winning %: 44.6%.

Storm: won 149, lost 49 and drew 1 in 199 total games. Average scores for and against: 110/69. Winning %: 74.9%.

Another stat. which should remain in the memories of footy followers, but might need brushing-up, is the Storm’s amazing winning streak.

From Rd. 4 in 2014 when they belted Castlemaine Strathfieldsaye won 39 games in a row. Yes, that’s right. Thirty-nine.

They didn’t lose again until Rd. 3 in 2016 when the Wade Street Bulldogs won by four goals.

That’s almost two complete seasons without a loss. The players must have had hoarse throats after singing the club song weekend after weekend from 2014 through until early 2016.

In 2015 Strathfieldsaye didn’t lose a single game. They finished that season 20-0.

The loss to Square in early 2016 was significant for another reason, however. Brilliant forward Lachlan Sharp suffered a season ending knee injury which probably put paid to their grand final hopes seven years ago.

He was back, though, in 2017 when the Storm downed Eaglehawk in the grand final, he won the Michelsen and Ron Best medals --- the latter with 142 goals --- plus the AFL Victoria grand final medal.

Sharp is one of only three players in BFNL history to have won the grand final, the Michelsen Medal and the senior goalkicking award all in the one season.

He joined Rochester’s Ray Willett (1962, 67 goals) and Eaglehawk’s Greg Kennedy (1971, 139 goals).

The 2017 season was notable not just for Sharpy’s incredible accomplishments but also because Strathfieldsaye celebrated the trifecta ---- flags in the seniors, reserves and under-18 grades.

The Storm became the first BFNL club to achieve that since Gisborne in 2002.

And second behind Sharp on the decade’s overall sgoalkicking list was Sam Mildren with 243 while tough half-back or on-baller Kallen Geary polled the most club best player votes for the decade with 248 votes.

Amazingly enough only two Storm players in Sharp and Geary made the Team of the Decade, joined by the 2010-2019 Coach of the Decade Daryl Wilson ---- premiership mentor in 2014, 2015 and again in 2017.

I remember sitting on the seven-strong selection committee in 2019 for the ten Hall of Famers and the inaugural five Legends.

Don’t think I was on the Team of the Decade committee. Maybe my memory is playing up.

Let’s return to year-end results. Strath’s Twos and Threes won a few flags. The Reserves (131 total wins) saluted twice while the under-18s (146 victories) were successful in three grand finals.

The Bloods Twos (98 wins) played in eight finals series of the decade’s 10 seasons but didn’t win a premiership. Neither did the Threes (67 total victories) who contested just two finals series.

Of course in the season just-finished’s major individual awards Storm’s brilliant on-baller Jake Moorhead won the 2022 Michelsen medal with 19 votes.

He ended up four ahead of joint runners-up Nathan Horbury (South’s playing coach) and Gisborne mid Brad Bernacki.

The Bloods’ Chloe Gray with 15 votes finished sixth in the A grade netball’s Betty Thompson medal count, won by Gisborne’s Madeline Stewart who polled an outstanding 29 votes.

The Bendigo Football Netball League would like to announce and congratulate the following BFNL netball players who have been selected in the 2023 BFNL Open Netball representative team:

2023 BFNL Open Netball Team:

Goalers:

• Claudia Mawson (Gisborne)
• Abbey Ryan (Kangaroo Flat)
• Rebecca Smith (Sandhurst)

Mid-court:

• Shae Clifford (Sandhurst)
• Kirby Elliot (Gisborne)
• Ashley Ryan (Kangaroo Flat)
• Meg Williams (Sandhurst)

Defenders:

• Heather Oliver (Sandhurst)
• Alicia McGlashan (South Bendigo)
• Charlotte Sexton (Sandhurst)
• Sophie Shoebridge (Sandhurst)

Coach: Jayden Cowling (Kangaroo Flat)

Assistant Coach: Stephanie Freemantle (Strathfieldsaye Storm)

The BFNL Open team will join the recently qualified BFNL 17 & Under netballers at the Netball Victoria Association Championships Finals, to be held at the State Netball Centre, Parkville on Sunday the 18th of June 2023

Motivated BFNL head coach Jayden Cowling is again thrilled at the prospect of leading the Open team, and buoyed by the quantity and quality of local BFNL talent that were able to make themselves available for selection for the representative program

"I am incredibly excited and proud of the talented squad that we have selected to represent the Bendigo Football Netball League”.

“We have such a star-studded league with numerous players having VNL or state level experience, but also have a range of amazing local talent who will be able to showcase their ability at the Association Championships”.

“We are fortunate to have selected a very versatile side who can cover numerous positions across the court, which will be extremely beneficial at a gruelling full-day tournament against quality opposition”.

“The group has a great mix of youth and significant experience that gives us great balance to hopefully go one step further in 2023 from our Runners-Up result in 2022."

BFNL Manager Cameron Tomlins said, “The Bendigo Football Netball League congratulate and thank all players who have been selected in the 2023 BFNL open netball representative team and will proudly represent the BFNL to showcase their ability and the current significant quality of BFNL netball at State representative level”.

“Whilst a small number of quality players were ruled out of selection consideration due to injury, VNL or personal commitments, the overall investment of all players and volunteers that were able to make themselves available for selection for representative duties has allowed Coach Jayden Cowling and the selection panel to gather an extremely strong and versatile team that we are confident will achieve success, whilst positively representing the current high standard and quality of BFNL netball.”