BENDIGO LEAGUE
Kyneton 3.3 (21) lt Strathfieldsaye 29.18 (192)
The absence of rested forward Lachlan Sharp did little to hinder the Storm's firepower. They had 13 individual goalkickers in the big 171-point win. Bryce Curnow led the charge with six goals, while Jake Moorhead and Lachy Wallace were best. Kyneton didn;t kick its first goal until midway through the third term. Rhys Magin and Max O'Sullivan were once again named the Tigers' best.
Castlemaine 7.15 (57) lt Kangaroo Flat 10.18 (78)
The Magpies were within two goals of the Roos at the final change, but the visitors held firm in the last quarter to collect the four points. The Magpies' cause wasn't helped by kicking 2.7 in the final term. Matt Clifford and Matt Despott were best for Flat, while Riley Pedretti and Angus Monfries played well for the Pies.
Maryborough 8.9 (57) lt Golden Square 16.16 (112)
Square's guns Jack Geary, Adam Baird and Trav Baird all had big games in the 55-point win. Aidan Hare and Lachlan Butler were best for Maryborough.
Gisborne 20.14 (134) d South Bendigo 9.9 (63)
The Bulldogs bounced back from last week's loss to defeat the Bloods by 71 points. The Bloods were within 35 points at the final change before Gisborne added 6.2 to 0.2 in the last term. Patty McKenna kicked six goals and Ethan Minns collected a mountain of possessions. Brody Haddow and Joel Swatton were best for the Bloods.
Sandhurst 7.11 (53) lt Eaglehawk 18.18 (126)
After a tight first three quarters, the Hawks kicked 9.8 to 0.1 in the final term againat a depleted Sandhurst side. Trent Bacon and Clayton Holmes were the standout performers for the Borough and Riley Saunders kicked four goals. Ruckman Chris Down and defender Jake Wilkinson were best for Sandhurst.
HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE
Elmore 12.10 (82) lt North Bendigo 12.19 (91)
The Bloods looked capable of scoring the upset of the season when they led the Bulldogs by seven points at the final change. It took a 5.5 to 3.1 final term from the Dogs to get the points. Brady Herdman kicked six of North's 12 goals and Joel Helman and Jack Donat won plenty of the ball. Rhys Healey and Nick Page led the way for the improving Bloods.
Colbinabbin 8.8 (56) d Leitchville-Gunbower 8.4 (52)
A late Sam Vale goal lifted the Grasshoppers to victory in a low-scoring thriller and, in the process, put a dent in the Bombers' finals hopes. Bomber Tyler Jones had a shot after the siren from outside 50, but it fell short. Ben Southam and Vale were best for the Hoppers, while Logan Prout and Brady Hore played well for the Bombers.
Lockington-Bamawm United 17.13 (115) d Mt Pleasant 11.7 (73)
The Cats extended the margin every quarter in an impressive win on home soil. Jarod Bacon and Tom Leech kicked four goals each for the Cats, while Joss Howlett and Fraser Monahan were in good form. Billy Mahony and Dan Davie were best for the Blues.
Heathcote 9.6 (60) lt White Hills 14.9 (93)
Big recruits Jed Lamb and Sam Kerridge kicked nine goals between them to lead White Hills to victory over a plucky Heathcote side. Rhys Irwin was best afield and Kris Bedford took plenty of marks for White Hills. Louis Piccolo and Tom Pain were named best for the Saints.
LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE
Mitiamo 28.24 (192) d Inglewood 8.5 (53)
The Superoos kicked 17.14 to 2.1 after half-time to thrash the battling Blues by 139 points and remain in the hunt for the minor premiership.
Bridgewater 17.19 (121) d Newbridge 7.7 (49)
Key forward Alex Powell kicked nine goals in a best on ground performance as Bridgewater scored a crucial 12-goal win over Newbridge. Youngster James Naughton and Pete Coghlan also impressed for Bridgewater. The Maroons' finals hopes are officially dashed. Tyler Romeril and Jordan Gilboy were best for Newbridge.
Maiden Gully YCW 9.10 (64) d Pyramid Hill 8.8 (56)
After a tough couple of weeks, the Eagles produced their best win of the season to stay in the race for the double chance. Travis Mercadante and Hamish McCartney led the way for the Eagles. Pyramid Hill is all of a sudden under pressure to retain top spot. James Sala and Scott Mann were best for the Dogs.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 12.12 (84) d Marong 9.5 (59)
The Bears kept the Panthers scoreless in the final quarter as they enhanced their top three prospects. Dylan Hanley was superb down back and Ollie Leonard-Shannon continued his great form. Co-coach Taylor Beard kicked five goals for Marong and Jeremy Salinger was the Panthers' best player.
NORTH CENTRAL LEAGUE
Charlton 8.19 (67) d Donald 4.9 (33)
Jack Thompson and Kain Robins led a wayward Charlton to a 34-point win over Donald. James Wall and Rian McGough were best for Donald.
Birchip-Watchem 17.9 (111) d Boort 3.6 (24)
As expected, the Bulls outclassed the Magpies on the back of fine performances from Jacob Christie and Nathan Gordon. Keiren Wilson and James Wilson battled gallantly for Boort.
St Arnaud 5.7 (37) lt Wedderburn 21.10 (136)
Marc Reiffel and Declan Quin kicked five goals each in Wedderburn's 99-point thumping of St Arnaud. The Saints were best served by Conlan Gunn and Ben Batters.
Wycheproof-Narraport 1.4 (10) lt Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 17.17 (119)
Wade Donnan kicked six goals and was best afield, while Jason Collins and Ryan O'Sullivan also played well for the Tigers. The battling Demons named James Coatsworth and George Turner their best players.
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