AT half-time of Saturday’s clash against the Gippsland Power, the Rural Bank Bendigo Pioneers looked well on track to win back-to-back games for the first time in three years.
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Coming off a 12-point win over the Greater Western Victoria Rebels the previous week, the Pioneers led the Power by 28 points at the main break at the QEO in their round three battle.
However, that’s where the Pioneers’ dominance halted as the Power assumed control in the second half to notch a 26-point victory as they completed a 54-point turnaround.
After kicking nine goals in the first half, the Pioneers added just one in the second, while the Power rammed home nine to win 14.15 (99) to 10.13 (73).
“Gippsland played a really strong second half, controlled the ball a lot better than we did and got us on the overlap a few times and made the most of their chances in front of goal,” Pioneers coach Rick Coburn said.
“We were really happy with the first half of our boys. We played some really attractive footy and were confident of our chances at half-time, but full credit to Gippsland. They came out and their work-rate was super in the second half.”
The contrast in performance from the first half to the second shows that one of the biggest challenges for Coburn and his coaching staff this year will be the Pioneers’ capacity to play four consistent quarters.
“That’s what we’re striving for and our biggest goal of the year is to get even, consistent performances,” Coburn said.
“We need to bridge the gap between the peak in our performance and the trough in our performance. Our good is as good as any, if not better at times, but when we drop off we tend to get scored against heavily, so that’s what we’ll keep working on.”
The best player for the Pioneers was Koby Hommelhoff through the midfield.
“He gets first hands to the ball, is a really good stoppage player and makes good decisions,” Coburn said.
Wingmen Mitch Kemp and Lewin Davis and Tom Campbell in defence were others to impress, while Brent Daniels was again lively inside 50 kicking four goals for the second game in a row.
The Pioneers’ next match is a Friday night game against Oakleigh at the QEO on April 21.
Gippsland Power 4.1 5.4 11.10 14.15 (99) d Bendigo Pioneers 4.2 9.8 9.10 10.13 (73).
GOALS – Gippsland: J. Hudson 3, W. Stephenson 3, W. Broadbent 2, S. Masterson 2, K. Reid 2, K. Drew, M. McGannon. Bendigo: B. Daniels 4, D. Grace 2, B. Robertson, L. Wallace, M. Harvey, B. Henderson.
BEST – Gippsland: J. Patterson, W. Stephenson, X. Duursma, T. Bindley, K. Drew, N. Hogan. Bendigo: K. Hommelhoff, L. Gill, M. Kemp, J. Atley, A. Schumacher, B. Hore.
