WATCHED by many premiership-winning stars of yesteryear, South Bendigo's latest batch of young guns played starring roles in Saturday's win against Kyneton at the QEO.
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The Bloods had achieved just one victory going into the 13th round of the Bendigo Football League season.
In this match it was a mix of the old, led by Aaron Connaughton and Daniel Frew, and new, in the form of Matt Chisari and Jayke Barrack who all played crucial roles in a 31-point victory.
It was goal-for-goal throughout the first half, although South's inaccuracy kept the Tigers in striking distance.
Highs in the first half included a great running goal by Chisari from the swimming pool pocket.
The 17-year-old from Mildura, a first-year player at South Bendigo and with the Bendigo Pioneers under-18 team, booted the last two goals of the first half to give his team an 11-point lead.
Kyneton's Kane Ransted and Ben Weightman kicked two goals apiece in the first half.
South kicked away to a three-goal lead going into the final term.
Bloods' full-forward Josh Whelan goaled early in the last quarter, but the classy Weightman was on target again.
The Mark Adamson-coached Kyneton lifted its intensity, but the Bloods had the answers with goals by Frew, Chsiari, Tonkin (2) and Chisari again.
Co-coaches at South Bendigo, Neale Torpey and Peter Tyack said persistence and risk-taking played a big part in the 103-72 victory.
"Our ability to win a lot of contests and poise under pressure is getting better each game we play," Torpey said.
"There are still five games to go and a lot to play for.
"We don't just want to be going through the motions."
Torpey said team leaders such as Connaughton and Frew inspired team-mates with their attack at every contest.
"They always show the way."
Torpey said there was a lot of work to be done, but Saturday's win was a huge lift for confidence within the team and club morale.
"As a team it's all about developing and improving each quarter and each game.
"We have a lot of talented young players. They are the future of the club."
Unlike Saturdays earlier in the season, the future is looking brighter for the Bloods.