It was the BFNL’s fourth-straight win over Gippsland and lifted the league inside the top 10 on the new AFL Victoria rankings.

Bendigo was written off by many pundits after a string of injuries to key players, but the young players introduced to the squad by coach Brett Fitzpatrick did themselves and the league proud.

Bendigo led from start to finish, with the backline outstanding in blanketing the much-hyped Gippsland forward six.

Gippsland had trouble all day in breaking through the BFNL zone.

It started with the forward pressure of the likes of Tom Toma and Hamish Morcom and continued with outstanding tackling and defensive pressure by the midfield group.

When Gippsland did get the ball inside forward 50, Brenton Conforti, Brayden Dorrington, Jon Coe, Tyler Miles, Codie Price and Chris Ryan were superb.

They hardly lost a one-on-one contest all day and teamed brilliantly to sweep the ball forward for Bendigo.

Strathfieldsaye centreman Trent Donnan was awarded the Derrick Filo Medal as Bendigo’s best.

His work at stoppages was crucial, particularly when Bendigo lost Sandhurst star Kristan Height to a hamstring injury late in the second quarter.

Skipper Jack Geary led from the front, with his second half performance one of the key reasons his side broke the game open.

Much was made of Bendigo’s lack of forward options, but that didn’t worry Golden Square big man Dylan Johnstone.

He kicked four goals and was ably assisted by his Bulldog team-mates Adam Baird, Toma and Morcom.

Kangaroo Flat ruckman Nick Lang enjoyed his new role inside forward 50, kicking two goals.

Teenagers Kalan Huntly and Coby Perry showed plenty in their first game at inter-league level.

Bendigo moves to 10^th on the rankings and now looks set to play Ballarat again next year after it lost a thriller to the Western Region Football League.