Never underestimate the power of team.
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The Bendigo Football Netball League’s preparation for Saturday’s AFL Victoria Community Championships clash with Gippsland at Warragul was anything but smooth.
Brett Fitzpatrick wasn’t first choice as BFNL inter-league coach.
Some of the players weren’t first choice to make the training squad let alone the final team of 23.
Despite the adversity, Fitzpatrick, his coaching staff and the players united to produce one of the BFNL’s best inter-league victories in modern times.
The 17.10 (112) to 12.7 (79) win was Bendigo’s fourth in succession over Gippsland and saw the league rise to number 10 on the AFL Victoria rankings.
“To go in with a such a young list, and then to lose one of the elder statesmen in Kristan Height to injury at half-time, it just shows what depth of youth this league has to offer,’’ BFNL coach Brett Fitzpatrick said.
“To come down here with such a youthful group and win is a fantastic result for the league. The playing group should be very proud of themselves.”
The way the young Bendigo team went about the win was most impressive.
There was not one passenger as they ground the Gippsland squad into the Warragul turf.
“They were disciplined, methodical and their tackling pressure on the opposition disposal was fantastic,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“We put a lot of pressure on Gippsland all day and we created a lot of turnovers.”
Bendigo led from start to finish and never really looked like being headed.
Gippsland had a 10-minute burst in the third quarter where it cut Bendigo’s 18-point half-time lead to single digits, but the visitors always seemed to have the answers.
When Tom Toma kicked the first goal of the final quarter inside the first minute, the floodgates opened and Bendigo added five more goals to rub salt into the Gippsland wounds.
“We were confident at three quarter-time that we had the run in our legs,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
The BFNL backline was outstanding in blanketing the much-hyped Gippsland forward six.
When Gippsland did get the ball inside forward 50, Brenton Conforti, Brayden Dorrington, Jon Coe, Tyler Miles, Codie Price and Chris Ryan were superb.
Despite giving away height to some of their opponents, the Bendigo back six hardly lost a one-on-one contest all day and teamed brilliantly to sweep the ball forward.
“We set some simple rules in place for the backline and they did it superbly,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“They were so composed and they covered for each so well. It was great to watch.”
Strathfieldsaye centreman Trent Donnan was awarded the Derrick Filo Medal as Bendigo’s best player.
His work at stoppages was crucial, particularly when Bendigo lost Height to a hamstring injury.
Skipper Jack Geary led from the front, with his second half performance one of the key reasons his side broke the game open.
“Trent and Jack were relentless all day,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“Their bigger bodies were crucial in the middle and Jack complemented his game by kicking two goals.
“Jack’s been to another level and wants to keep achieving. He was the main catalyst for dragging these young ones along today.
“He encouraged them to believe in themselves… he’s a fantastic leader.”
Pre-match, 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, Tom Toma and Hamish Morcom, who kicked two goals each.
“Dylan Johnstone did everything we asked of him,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“He pushed hard up and down the ground, he contested everything and his kicking for goal was vital. He was well rewarded for his hard work.”
Kangaroo Flat ruckman Nick Lang enjoyed his new role inside forward 50, kicking two goals.
Inter-league rookies Coby Perry, Isaiah Miller and Kalan Huntly all had crucial touches in the win and showed they could be BFNL representatives for years to come.
“We couldn’t have been happier with the output of the young players,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“The exciting thing is that they’re only going to get better.”
Fitzpatrick’s late call-up to coach the inter-league squad might have whet his appetite to stay involved for next year’s clash with Ballarat.
Ballarat lost to the Western Regional Football League by three points on Saturday to slip to ninth in the rankings.
“We’ve got a good group below us as far as coaching is concerned,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“We’ll see what happens, it might be at a support level.
“No matter what happens this is a great group of players to be involved with and they’ve created some momentum with the win today.”
Match details – Bendigo 3.4 7.5 11.8 17.10 (112) d Gippsland 1.1 4.5 9.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS – Bendigo: D. Johnstone 4, T. Toma 2, H. Morcom 2, N. Lang 2, H. Conway 2, A. Baird 2, J. Geary 2, I. Miller. Gippsland: C. Dunne 5, R. McCallum 2, J. Gooch, B. Scalzo, B. Amberg, S. Hawking, T. Hams.
Best – Bendigo: T. Donnan, B. Conforti, J. Geary, D. Johnstone, C. Ryan, T. Toma. Gippsland: M. Collison, R. McCallum, A. Slottje, C. Dunne, N. Paredes, B. Scalzo.