GOLDEN Square’s unbeaten start to the Bendigo Football Netball League season has surpassed the expectations set by coach Lia Marrone at the beginning of the season.
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The blue and gold won their fifth straight game against Kyneton on Saturday, winning 59-41 at My Jet Oval.
Marrone said heading into the season the club had hoped to finish the year in top spot, but admits she didn’t imagine the A-grade side starting so strongly.
“It's a good place to be, but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves as there are a lot of tough games to come,” she said.
Marrone said the team has taken a big step up since it lost to Kangaroo Flat in last year’s grand final.
“I think the difference this year is the conversion level,” she said.
“We are better at turning our hard work into a score on the board.”
Golden Square’s scoreline might suggest they scored a comfortable game, but Marrone said the score probably flattered the home side and that the game wasn’t an easy one.
“I was really happy with the team’s performance,” she said.
“The girls are really backing each other and it shows in their game.
“It felt like a tight game and we really had to extend ourselves, it was by no means an easy win.”
Golden Square came out firing in the opening quarter, scoring a massive 20 goals to 10.
Fast starts have been the key for Golden Square this season.
“Every week we aim for a strong start,” Marrone said.
“The girls are committed to the pre-match routine and switch on to game mode from that first whistle.
“We are now working on pulling together a full four quarters.”
Marrone praised the efforts of three key players.
“Best on went to Steph Freemantle who worked tirelessly in defence, Allira Holmes who showed great determination and provided vital turn overs and Belinda Pinner who gave us a lot of drive in attack with precision feeds into goals," she said.
Sandhurst also join Golden Square as the only undefeated teams in the BFNL this season.
The resurgent Dragons led from start to finish in their game against the reigning premiers, Kangaroo Flat.
The final score was 35-31.
The Roos fought back in the final stages of the game, outscoring their opponents 11 goals to 10, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap, with the Dragons running out winners.
Sandhurst coach Carol Cathcart said she felt confident the team would get the job done.
"It was close the whole game, but our players really held their heads high and showed great composure and never looked like panicking in that final quarter," she said.
"They won the competition last year, so it was a really good win.
"It was a good benchmark for us, just to see where we are out and overall I am pleased with what we have been able to achieve."
Cathcart said the defensive efforts of their players was one of the best aspects of the game.
"All seven were fantastic, it was a full team performance," she said.
"Defensively Georgia Byrne and Heather Oliver were instrumental in turning the ball over."
Strathfieldsaye also continued its recent good form with a narrow win against Maryborough at Flight Centre Park on Saturday.
The Storm were kept to just seven goals in the last quarter, compared to Maryborough's 13.
But, the damage was done, Strathfieldsaye scored its third win of the season, winning 44-40.
Gisborne got back on the winners list after a loss to Golden Square last week.
The red, white and blue fought off a gallant South Bendigo at the Queen Elizabeth Oval to win 42-34.
Eaglehawk also had its second win of the season when the A-grade side defeated Castlemaine 39-28.