James reaches century

By Luke West
Updated November 7 2012 - 2:45am, first published July 19 2009 - 11:37am
CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Aaron James is surrounded by North Bendigo teammates and fans after reaching the century mark in Saturday's win against LBU. Picture: ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN
CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Aaron James is surrounded by North Bendigo teammates and fans after reaching the century mark in Saturday's win against LBU. Picture: ALEX ELLINGHAUSEN

NORTH Bendigo full-forward Aaron James has become the first player in country Victoria this year to reach the 100-goal mark.Needing six goals against Lockington-Bamawm United at Atkins Street in Saturday’s Heathcote District Football League clash, James booted eight to move to 102 after just 12 games.James reached the ton in the final quarter, and was immediately swamped by teammates and supporters.Adding to the occasion, North Bendigo defeated the Cats in a thriller by two points, 13.7 (85) to 12.11 (83), to keep its slim finals hopes flickering.Speaking after the game, James said the most pleasing aspect about the day was the fact the Bulldogs secured their sixth win of the season.“I had five goals up until just before half-time and then missed a few easy ones, which was a bit frustrating,’’ he said.“But the best part about it was that we had a win.“It would have been good if we had been able to pull out a performance like that a few weeks ago, but that’s the way it goes.’’As for being the first player in country Victoria this year to reach the century, James said: “I suppose I can be pretty proud of myself, but it’s not something I really think about.“Obviously, I did think a little about it a bit before this game and the pressure of getting there was getting to me a bit, but I’m glad it has now been done.“Personal accolades are always nice, but I play a team sport to win a premiership.’’This year is the fourth time James has kicked 100 goals in a season.He also achieved the feat in 2005 (Albion and Sunbury Kangaroos), 2004 (Lalor) and 2003 (Doutta Stars).The 32-year-old’s return of 102 goals this year has been made up of hauls of 4, 12, 12, 9, 7, 6, 12, 7, 11, 9, 5 and 8.If he continues at his average of 8.5, he will end the home and away season with 136.As for playing on with the Bulldogs next season, James - who has been one of the major drawcards in the HDFL this year - said he was speaking with the club about 2010.“I’ve spoken to the club about next year and we’re working through a few things,’’ James said.“They are a good bunch of blokes and I’ve made a few really good friends there.’’Saturday’s clash between the Bulldogs and Cats was a thriller that wasn’t decided until after the final siren.With the Bulldogs leading by three points, Cats’ teenager Jacob Gardiner marked 40m out on a slight angle.The siren sounded as Gardiner was preparing to take his shot at goal. However, Gardiner’s kick faded left, scoring just one behind and leaving the Bulldogs to hang on and win by two points.Saturday’s victory was the first time the Bulldogs had defeated a side in the top four this season.“I thought today was one of our real chances to get a win over a top-four side, because Lockington obviously plays at home on a bigger ground,’’ said North Bendigo coach Jay Weston, who was standing the mark for Gardiner’s kick after the siren.“I asked the boys just to come out hard, because each time we have played a top-four side they have got the jump on us, so I wanted to make sure we were in with a sniff at half-time, which we were.“Lockington then came pretty hard at us in the third quarter, but the good thing about Jamesy kicking his 100th goal when he did was we really needed one at the time.“It’s a great effort for Jamesy to be the first player in country Victoria to get to 100, particularly when you consider we haven’t been winning a lot.’’North Bendigo led by 11 points at half-time, but the Cats made their move in the third quarter, holding the Bulldogs to just three behinds while adding 3.3.The Cats turned for the final term ahead by seven points, but it was the Bulldogs, spurred on by James’ milestone, that responded to the challenge.With James kicking three goals in the final term, the Bulldogs kicked 6.1 to the Cats’ 4.4 to scrape over the line and defeat Lockington for just the second time in their past 11 meetings.“We signed the game ball for Jamesy and had a guard of honour for him as he left the ground, so it was a good day for the club,’’ Weston said.The Bulldogs’ best players included defenders Ashleigh Craig, Cameron Lomas and Damien Wigfield, midfielder Damien Webb, tagger Jarrod Alford and James.With the win, the fifth-placed Bulldogs improved their record to 6-6, and are now two games, plus 12.8 per cent, behind the Cats (8-4), who are fourth, with four rounds remaining.Playing well for the Cats - who lost consecutive games for the first time since 2007 - were Daniel Lucas, Wade Pitson, Gardiner, Hayden Collins, stand-in captain John Halloran and veteran Sam Newth.Mount Pleasant gave a good account of itself against Heathcote at Toolleen, with the Blues only going down by 23 points.The Saints won 14.14 (98) to 11.9 (75), with the victory set up by a strong first quarter.Heathcote went into quarter-time leading by 16 points, 5.5 to 3.1, which was decisive considering the Blues matched the Saints for the remainder of the game.After quarter-time, the Saints kicked 9.9 to the Blues’ 8.8 to record their 10th win.Lech Featherstone was the leading goalkicker with three for the Saints, who also had Marc Millard, Daniel Carroll, David Thompson, Chad Neilson, Wayne Sanders and Christopher Anderson play well in the win.The best for the Blues - who lost to the Saints for just the fifth time in their past 31 clashes since 1995 - included Jesse O’Brien, Steve Humphrey, Brad Shepherd, Andrew Barry, Leigh Davies (three goals) and Dale Barry.Following the defeat, Mount Pleasant now has a 3-9 record.Meanwhile, the HDFL executive yesterday met with the committee of Leitchville-Gunbower Football-Netball Club about the prospect of becoming the league’s ninth club next year.The two parties met for close to two hours at Gunbower, with HDFL secretary Trevor Arnel describing the talks as “productive’’.Leitchville-Gunbower, known as the Bombers, plays in the Central Murray Football League.The Bombers sit seventh on the CMFL senior ladder.

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