FOR Golden Square's 17-and-under netball coach Melinda Keighran, there was plenty to like about last Saturday's clash against South Bendigo.
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And not just because the Bulldogs scored a hard-fought 49-42 win.
Six of the players on-court - four from Golden Square and two from South Bendigo - are members of the BFNL representative team she coaches, while a sprinkling of others took part in trials.
A high-calibre contest at Wade Street left Keighran not only buoyant about the hopes of the two competing clubs, but the future success of the league at representative level.
The Bulldogs did not have things all their own way, with the Bloods notching up a 13-12 quarter time lead.
South Bendigo also had the better of the last quarter 13-12, but it was ultimately a 16-8 second term, which helped the Bulldogs keep their unbeaten record intact with a 49-42.
Most encouraging for the Bulldogs was their third win of the season was again achieved with players missing.
"The great thing was there was five of the inter-league players competing in the game - Carissa Brook (Brook) and Morgan McClellan for South Bendigo, Ash O'Shea, Abbey Grindal, Kayla Ashcroft and Abbey Clohessy (Golden Square)," she said.
"From a coaching perspective it was great for me to have a look at all the girls in action.
"It was a hard weekend for everyone (in 17-and-under) - Groovin the Moo tends to affect some teams.
"I had two key defenders out in Eliza O'Sullivan, who was in Melbourne, and Maddie Marks, who was playing football for the Bendigo Pioneers, but that provided opportunities for others.
"It was a very competitive game, which we knew it would be."
Audrey Andrews stepped up at goal defence to be named the Bulldogs' best, ahead of the two Abbeys - Grindal and Clohesy.
Keighran was further pleased by the performances of development players Jasmine Nevins and Maddie Gerdes, in a overwhelming endorsement for Golden Square's junior pathways program.
South Bendigo were brilliantly served by recent Blue Ribbon Medal recipient McClellan.
The award acknowledges junior BFNL players, who have shown integrity, leadership and the qualities which make them an outstanding individual both on and off the footy field or netball court.
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Meanwhile, reigning 17-and-under premiers Sandhurst has continued its winning ways with a stunning 78-15 win over Maryborough.
The win at the Queen Elizabeth Oval was the Dragons' fourth-straight to open the 2019 season and 16th consecutive victory in total dating back to June 9 last season.
The lengthy-winning streak followed a draw against Eaglehawk in round seven of the 2018 season, the only slight blemish in an undefeated season.
The Dragons will clash again with the Hawks this Saturday, with the clubs entering round five as two of the four clubs to be undefeated point of the season.
In other games, second-placed Gisborne scored its third win with a 56-35 victory over Strathfieldsaye, while third-placed Eaglehawk notched up its fourth win with a 57-32 victory over Castlemaine.
Ladder: Gisborne 3-0 (262.16 per cent); Sandhurst 4-0 (247.27); Eaglehawk 4-0 (140.97); Golden Square 3-0 (138.94); Castlemaine 1-2 (59.63); South Bendigo 1-3 (6.92); Kangaroo Flat 0-3 (46.86); Strathfieldsaye 0-4 (63.95); Maryborough 0-4 (42.44).
Kyneton does not have a 17-and-under team
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