FOR the first time in five years the Rural Bank Bendigo Pioneers have won their opening game of the TAC Cup season after rallying in the final quarter to defeat the Greater Western Victoria Rebels by one point on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pioneers faced a 19-point deficit at three quarter-time at Ballarat’s MARS Stadium.
However, the Pioneers finished with a burst of 4.3 to 1.1 in the final term to run over the top of their country rivals to win 10.8 (68) to 9.13 (67) to be 1-0 for the first time since 2013.
Key forward Will Holt kicked two of his five goals in the final quarter, the second of which brought the Pioneers within a point approaching time-on.
The final two scores of the game were behinds to Bendigo, which were enough for the Pioneers to scrape over the line by the barest of margins.
“It was a really entertaining game between two evenly-matched teams,” Pioneers coach Rick Coburn said.
“It was really pleasing to be able to whittle down a 19-point deficit at three quarter-time and win a tight game.”
With his performance on Saturday Holt joined Kayle Kirby – now on Collingwood’s list – as the only Pioneers’ players to kick at least five goals in a TAC Cup game since 2013.
It was a brilliant TAC Cup debut for Holt, who missed last year with a dislocated shoulder.
“He played very well as a key forward. He’s a strong lad and gave us a real presence inside 50,” Coburn said.
“He hit-up and marked the ball really well, but when it hit the ground his second and third efforts were also fantastic.”
Ruckman Daniel Keating and Zane Keighran off half-back also impressed, while another of the first-gamers in Jackson Williams had an impact through the midfield.
“Jacko is coming back off a serious knee injury and his work-rate was super. He got better as the game went on,” Coburn said.
……………………………….
• MATCH DETAILS:
Bendigo 10.8 (68) d GWV Rebels 9.13 (67).
GOALS – Bendigo: W. Holt 5, Z. Denahy, M. Goodwin, L. Marciano, K. Lloyd, K. Walker. GWV Rebels: C. Wilson 2, T. Berry 2, J. Hill 2, M. Martin, L. Dawson, T. Mahony.
BEST – Bendigo: W. Holt, D. Keating, Z. Keighran, J. Williams, L. Marciano, J. Atley. GWV Rebels: T. Berry, C. Wilson, M. Martin, M. Schnerring, B. Helyar, T. Mahony.