Bendigo won 19.14 (128) to 13.16 (94) in what’s the third time the Blue and Gold have beaten Gippsland in an inter-league match at the QEO in five years.

Bendigo also beat Gippsland by 23 points in 2012 and nine points in 2010.

“We played 20 to 22 minutes each quarter and then we dropped off for four or five, which resulted in Bendigo kicking two or three goals in succession,” Gippsland coach Harmit Singh said.

“To Bendigo’s credit, they were able to keep us at bay.

“We battled on and worked hard, but in the end they were too good for us.

“But I couldn’t have been happier with the efforts of our boys and we really made Bendigo earn it.”

The biggest headache for Gippsland was Bendigo forward Stephen Milne, who kicked nine goals.

“He was the difference in the end. He’s a quality player who finished off his work really well. The supply was probably a bit too good to him at times and we couldn’t do too much,” Singh said.