A ROUND of upsets has the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League set up for an intriguing second half of the season.
Saturday’s ninth round was highlighted by Castlemaine’s stunning eight-point victory against Gisborne, and Kangaroo Flat’s comfortable win over the rampant South Bendigo at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
With Gisborne and the Bloods losing, and Kangaroo Flat winning, it means just one game now separates second from fourth at the halfway mark of the season.
Castlemaine’s win over Gisborne at Camp Reserve was one of the shock results of the season.
The Magpies had entered the match with just one win to their credit in the first eight rounds, while the Bulldogs had suffered just one loss, and defeated Castlemaine in their past 14 encounters.
But the Magpies were finally able to put together a four-quarter performance, and with superior conversion in the forward line, registered a 16.4 (100) to 12.20 (92) victory.
Castlemaine kicked the last two goals of the match, after the surging Gisborne had led by four points with four minutes remaining.
However, the game had been under threat of being abandoned late in the third quarter when Castlemaine forward Sean Smith suffered a broken leg.
With Castlemaine leading by 19 points, the game was held up for 25 minutes waiting for an ambulance before Smith was taken from the ground.
“To the credit of Jamie Elliott (Castlemaine coach) and Steven Oliver (Castlemaine player and BFL chief executive officer), they wanted to play the game out,’’ Gisborne coach Ty Elliott said.
“Realistically, they probably could have said, 'we’re ahead, let’s call if off', but for Castlemaine to play out the game and potentially lose was a sign of great sportsmanship.
“But they won on their own accord anyway, so full credit to them.’’
Castlemaine coach Jamie Elliott said despite his side being in the lead when play was stopped, the Magpies were determined for the match to continue.
“We wanted to play; I didn’t want to win a game like that,’’ Elliott said.
“Commonsense prevailed and we had enough light to finish the game, so that’s the way we went.’’
At the QEO, Kangaroo Flat, led by seven goals from captain Tyrone Downie, finally showed what it’s capable of against the BFL’s top sides, dominating South Bendigo in a 17.9 (111) to 10.12 (72) victory.
The Bloods had entered Saturday’s match sitting on top of the ladder, but for the second season in a row lost to the Roos in a game where they had gone in as the warm favourites.
With the 39-point win, Kangaroo Flat is now just four points out of the top three as it reaches the midway mark with a 6-3 record.
“We spoke about a belief in what we can do, and I really think the QEO suits our style of play,’’ Kangaroo Flat coach Darryl Wilson said.
“Today, I thought we executed really well, we controlled the game, and our stoppage work was a lot better than it has been this year, which was significant.
“It was hard to pick best players, which was really pleasing.’’
At the Kyneton Showgrounds, the Tigers put up a spirited challenge against Golden Square.
The Tigers, who trailed by 35 points at quarter-time, were beaten by just eight points, with the Bulldogs winning 13.13 (91) to 13.5 (83).
With its win, Golden Square now sits a game clear at the top of the ladder with its 8-1 record.
Eaglehawk has maintained its grip on fifth position after defeating Sandhurst by 43 points at Canterbury Park.
In a game where the winner would be fifth, while the loser would sit a game outside the top five, the Hawks prevailed 14.19 (103) to 9.6 (60).
Following the win, the reigning premiers will now turn for the second half of the season with a 5-4 record, having earlier in the year been 1-3 after four rounds.
And at Tannery Lane, BFL newcomer Strathfieldsaye won consecutive games for the first time in its short history.
After an even first quarter, the Storm eased away to defeat Maryborough by 30 points, 15.14 (104) to 10.14 (74).
It was the Storm’s third victory of the season and followed its 47-point win over Kyneton last week.
The win keeps the Storm with some hope of making what would be a fairytale finals appearance in its first season, with Strathfieldsaye just two games outside the top five.
Email a friend