MATCH REPORT – QEO INTER-LEAGUE EPIC
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BENDIGO has again stumbled at the inter-league hurdle that is Ballarat, losing to its fierce rivals for the third time in the past five years on Saturday.
In what was a thrilling AFL Victoria Community Championships battle at the QEO, Ballarat rallied from 14 points down in the final quarter, kicking five of the last six goals of the game to win 16.9 (105) to 14.10 (94).
The result continues what has become an all-too-common trend in recent years of Bendigo taking one step forward, one step back in the inter-league rankings.
Bendigo slips from No.10 to No.11 with Saturday’s 11-point loss, but fortunately, will have a fresh opponent next year thanks to Gippsland – who the Blue and Gold has played four times since 2010 – also being beaten.
Yarra Ranges will be Bendigo’s opponent next year after it belted Gippsland by 61 points.
Despite going down, Bendigo coach Brett Fitzpatrick was proud of the effort of his side, which had trailed by 26 points early in the third quarter.
“The effort and application by our boys was sensational after we let Ballarat get off to a flyer,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Our skill execution going inside 50 hurt us in the first half, but we lifted our output in the second half and were able to turn the game around.
“It looked like we could have been one goal away from breaking it open in the last quarter, but full credit to Ballarat with the way they were able to finish the game off.”
At one stage Bendigo had 6.8 on the board, before kicking 8.2 from its last 10 scoring shots, while the lead changed three times in the final term.
While Bendigo was beaten in the senior footy, overall it had the better of Ballarat, winning the other three games played – the under-18 football by 32 points, open netball by 22 goals and 17-under netball by eight.
The day, which also included Heathcote District playing Central Murray as part of a double-header, drew a gate of about $10,000.
