THE scoreboard said it all about Eaglehawk’s dominance when the half-time siren sounded in the Easter Saturday clash with South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
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On a day where South Bendigo played its first senior match on what it aims to become a permanent home, the Hawks reigned supreme in the first hour.
The Two Blues’ intensity in and around the packs, rebounding defence and quick transition put the Bloods under extreme pressure.
Goals by Hayden Collins, Damian Wust, Jesse Collins and Matt Gilmore made it 27-1 in the Hawks’ favour by quarter-time.
It was more of the same in the second as Brodie Collins starred in midfield, captain Luke Button mopped up across half-back, and Gilmore and Hayden Collins were strong in the air.
The Bloods had their fair share of forward 50m entries, but just could not capitalise.
Highs for the Hawks in the second quarter included Brodie Filo sharking a Tim Nicolson tap-out at a centre ball-up, charging forward and goaling from near the 50m arc.
South Bendigo’s intensity and run lifted markedly in the third quarter, but Eaglehawk held sway.
The Bloods’ play was rewarded with goals by Joel Swatton and Ben Haines.
A turnover from a kick-in resulted in a pass to Gilmore for a fourth major on the way to a match-high six.
South Bendigo won the third and fourth quarters.
Back-to-back goals by Charles Trotman, which happened to be South’s fourth and fifth, were the only time South Bendigo scored consecutive goals.
The Jeff Brennan-coached Bloods face a big task this Saturday at Kyneton.
