The Rural Bank Bendigo Pioneers boys and girls teams tasted defeat at the hands of the Gippsland Power on the weekend.
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The Pioneers' boys were disappointing as they went down by 63 points to the Power on Saturday.
The Pioneers' girls rallied from a slow start to play some good footy, but fell two goals short against Gippsland at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Saturday's clash at the QEO was a frustrating one for the Pioneers.
In the first and third quarters they produced some good footy and more than matched the Power.
However, the second and final terms were one-way traffic as the Power put the Pioneers to the sword.
Gippsland kicked 7.4 to 2.0 in the second quarter and 6.4 to 1.2 in the last term to win comfortably 17.15 (117) to 8.5 (53).
Key forward Will Holt bagged three of the Pioneers' eight goals to take his season tally to eight.
Holt is the equal leader in the TAC Cup goalkicking award with Sandringham’s Max King.
Strathfieldsaye Storm’s Bailey Henderson played his best game of the season, while Kobe Lloyd, Brodie Kemp and Leyton Chisholm tried hard in a Pioneers' team that lacked four-quarter performers.
After three rounds the Pioneers are 10th on the ladder with a 1-2 record.
On Sunday, the Pioneers' girls lost 5.4 (34) to 3.4 (22).
After failing to score in the opening quarter, the Pioneers bounced back to close within three points at the main break.
The Power surged in the third quarter to establish a 20-point lead before the Pioneers again dug deep and rallied.
The Pioneers had the majority of the play late in the game, but couldn't convert on the scoreboard.
"Our inability to take our chances is hurting us,'' coach Shawn McCormick said.
"The effort was terrific to get back into the game and we had enough of the ball to win the game.
"The girls were really brave, but they just didn't get the reward for their effort."
Maddy Baldwin and Kodi Jacques continued their great form for the Pioneers, while Hannah Stewart impressed in her first game of the season.
Jemma Finning and Megan Williamson won plenty of the ball and Kate Douglass gave the Pioneers a good target inside forward 50.
The Pioneers’ girls are in eighth place on the ladder with a 1-4 record.
The Pioneers' girls have next weekend off before hosting the Oakleigh Chargers at Golden Square on April 22.
The Pioneers' boys next game is under lights at the QEO on Friday, April 20 against the Oakleigh Chargers.
