DEFENSIVE efforts and slick movement set up Eaglehawk's emphatic victory against South Bendigo in the Bendigo Football League match on Easter Saturday.
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South's move to play at Kennington's Harry Trott Oval drew many fans, but was not the result the Bloods wanted.
The Hawks slammed on 10 goals in the first half and led 64-4 at the long break.
South Bendigo's intensity and run lifted markedly in the third quarter, but the Two Blues were always in control.
Final score: Eaglehawk 13.14 (92) d South Bendigo 5.9 (39).
Eaglehawk's play in the first hour was outstanding.
The Borough had plenty of numbers at the contest, worked hard to force turnovers and continually repelled the Bloods attacks.
By quarter-time the Hawks led 27-1 after goals by Hayden Collins, Damian Wust, Jesse Collins and Matt Gilmore.
It was more of the same in the second as the Bloods battled to pass half-forward or were forced wide.
Gilmore and Hayden Collins added two apiece.
Hghlights for the Hawks included Brodie Filo sharking a Tim Nicolson tap-out at the centre ball-up, charging forward and then goaling from near the 50m arc.
The busy Josh Ketterer won a contest near centre half-foward and kicked truly.
At that stage the scoreboard read 57-3.
The Jeff Brennan-coached South Bendigo fought back strongly in the third.
The Bloods were rewarded with goals by Joel Swatton and Ben Haines.
A turnover from a kick-in resulted in a pass to Gilmore and his fourth goal.
By three quarter-time Eaglehawk led 74-20.
Play swung between the half-forward lines for a lot of the final term.
Gilmore achieved a match-high six goals.
South Bendigo won the quarter again through goals by Adrian Crawford and then back-to-back goals by Charles Trotman.
The final two goals for the Bloods were the only time they scored consecutive majors in this match.
Eaglehawk coach Luke Monaghan praised what was an outstanding first half.
"We had 22 contributors in the first half," Monaghan said of building the 10-goal lead.
"For whatever reason, whether it was the big lead or South lifting its intensity, we just didn't play as well in the second half," Monaghan said.
The Borough's coach said the defence was superb all match.
"Tyler Miles was excellent against Ash Morris.
"Although undersized our defenders worked hard in every contest and supported each other," Monaghan said of a back side led by captain Luke Button, Miles, Cal and Tom Harrington.
In midfield, Brodie Collins set up a lot of attacks to be in the best along with Brenton Conforti, Hayden Collins, Nicolson and Gilmore.
South Bendigo's best were Jake Smythe, Adrian Crawford, Jarrod Postle, Joel Swatton, Matthew Chisari, and Charles Trotman.
Eaglehawk plays under Kangaroo Flat's lights on Anzac Day at Beck Legal Oval, Dower Park.
The winless Bloods head to Kyneton for next Saturday's fourth-round match.