MEMORIES of North Bendigo’s golden era of the ’70s are being revived for long-time supporters and former players of the Bulldogs as the club basks in the glory of back-to-back premierships.

The Bulldogs – playing in their fourth grand final in the past five years – won their second Heathcote District Football-Netball League flag in a row on Saturday.

And they did it against the same opponent they beat in last year’s grand final – Leitchville-Gunbower – winning by 20 points, 14.18 (102) to 13.4 (82) at Huntly.

“Players who were part of the club in the ’70s and long-time supporters are saying this is feeling like the ’70s all over again… we’re winning again just like we did in the ’70s and it’s fantastic from where we have come from,” elated Bulldogs coach Rob Bennett said.

The Bulldogs won three flags in four seasons between 1974 and 1977 in a dominant era, then enduring a dry spell for 38 years before last year’s drought-breaking win.

The Bombers – captained by Jordan Ford – suffered a major setback late in the first quarter when star forward Brady Herdman limped from the ground with a groin tear.

“He’s our best player and you don’t like to lose Herdy at any stage, but it was full credit to all the guys that we were able to hang on,” said Bennett, who now has a 50-8 record in three seasons as coach.

Sam Barnes shouldered a heavy load with the loss of Herdman and booted seven goals in a best-on-ground performance, while 18-year-old Storm Giri lit up the third quarter with three goals as the Bulldogs skipped out to a 29-point lead.

Telling in the win for the Bulldogs was they rarely allowed the Bombers the time and space to unleash their renowned damaging run on the big Huntly ground.

“We wanted to make it man-on-man all game to limit their run and spread. We were confident that if we could lock down and get enough of the ball in our hands we could win, which we did. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys,” Bennett said.