Round one, big crowd and under lights at the QEO – the stage was set for a big show and one of the BFNL’s greatest showmen didn’t let his team down.
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While the support acts struggled to show the same class as the headline act, full-forward Matt Gretgrix kicked six of Eaglehawk’s eight goals to lead his side to a 13-point win over South Bendigo on Friday night.
Gretgrix could have kicked double figures and the Hawks should have put the Bloods away in the 8.12 (60) to 6.11 (47) win.
South didn’t kick a goal in the first or third terms and only had one major on the scoreboard going into the last quarter. However, a final term surge by the Bloods – led by teenager Braydan Torpey and recruit Kaiden Antonwoicz, made the Hawks sweat in the final 10 minutes.
South didn’t get any closer than 13 points, but the five goals in the final term gave the Bloods something to work with going into next week’s clash with Gisborne.
Eaglehawk’s defence, the cornerstone of last year’s run to the preliminary final, was again outstanding as rookie coach Josh Bowe celebrated his first win.
