Golden Square is still in the hunt for the BFNL flag after it won a war of attrition with arch-rival Sandhurst in Sunday's elimination final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bulldogs overcame an injury-riddled Sandhurst 11.11 (77) to 10.2 (62) to earn a berth against Gisborne in next Sunday's first semi-final.
After a first half littered with off the ball physical clashes between the two teams, the critical moment of the game came midway through the third quarter.
The Dragons led the Bulldogs by 15 points in a low-scoring contest in the third quarter before the momentum of the game swung in Square's favour when Sandhurst star Andrew Collins laid a late, high tackle on Bulldogs' defender Braydon Welsh in front of the Barnard Street end goals.
The incident sparked a heated melee, where punches were thrown by players from both teams.
When the melee cleared Collins was reported for unnecessary rough play and he was shown a yellow card.
Collins, who left the ground sporting a large bump on his cheekbone, was the only player reported.
A short time later at the other end of the ground Sandhurst forward Jake McLean was bumped in the head by Square star Adam Baird.
McLean suffered concussion and had blood pouring down his face as he left the ground. The Dragons received a free kick.
While Collins spent his 15 minutes plus time-on on the bench, the Bulldogs regained control of the game.
Already hampered by game-ending injuries to Blair Holmes (calf) and Matt Thornton (hamstring), the Dragons lost McLean for the remainder of the game.
While Sandhurst played with 17 men and just one fit player on the bench, Square added four goals to none to lead by two goals five minutes into the final quarter.
Collins returned to the field at the six-minute mark of the final term and coach Ashley Connick sent him straight to full-forward.
The move worked.
In a five-minute burst Collins kicked three goals to give the Dragons an unlikely five-point lead.
From the 15-minute mark of the final term the Dragons didn't score again. Joel Wharton (shoulder) and Alex Wharton (knee) played on despite injuries.
In crunch time it was Golden Square's young players who stepped up and took their chances.
Bendigo Pioneer Braydon Vaz marked and kicked truly for the second time in the quarter to regain the lead for the Doggies heading into time-on.
Sandhurst continued to push, but Square's defence was resolute with Jon Coe and Jake Thrum denying the Dragons scoring opportunities.
It was another promising Golden Square youngster who landed the knockout blow.
After seeing off a number of Sandhurst forward thrusts, the Bulldogs swept the ball forward and Callum Draper ran onto the loose ball and calmly slotted home a right-foot snap in front of the elated Square supporters in the pool changerooms forward pocket.
Sandhurst didn't have any run left in its legs to prodce two late goals and Square forward Hamish Morcom iced the Bulldog cake with a left-foot goal on the run in the dying seconds.
While Sandhurst's injury list was long, the Dogs played through their own issues.
Skipper Jack Geary entered the game less than 100 per cent fit because of a leg issue, but still played a key role in the win, particularly in the final quarter when the game was on the line.
"I thought we showed some great reslience in the final quarter after Sandhurst got back in front,'' Square coach Bernie Haberman said.
"Young Braydon Vaz kicked two clutch goals from 50m in the final quarter which was amazing for us.
"Jack (Geary) battled his way through injury and I thought he was huge for us in the final quarter by hitting the packs hard and moving the ball forward."
Had the Dragons pinched victory, Sandhurst coach Ashley Connick said the Dragons would have been forced to make six changes next week because of injuries.
"I was really proud of the boys to fight like that,'' he said.
"To still be in a position to win the game halfway through the final quarter probably sums these boys up.
"We're really disappointed we didn't win, but no-one could question these boys in the way they represented themselves today.
"The spirit and passion they play with is a credit to them."
Golden Square 2.2, 4.4, 6.6, 11.11 (77)
Sandhurst 2.0, 5.0, 7.2, 10.2 (62)
GOALS - Golden Square: Travis Baird 2, Braydon Vaz 2, Dale Lowry 1, Jake Thrum 1, Jayden Burke 1, Liam Barrett 1, Hamish Morcom 1, Samuel Brinsmead 1, Callum Draper 1. Sandhurst: Andrew Collins 3, Matthew Thornton 2, Jeremy Rodi 1, Jake Pallpratt 1, Zachary Pallpratt 1, Jake McLean 1, Lachlan Zimmer 1.
BEST - Golden Square: Callum Draper, Dale Lowry, Braydon Vaz, Jake Thrum, Travis Baird, Jackson Geary. Sandhurst: Christopher Down, Nicholas Stagg, Jake Pallpratt, Liam Ireland, Lachlan Ross, Zachary Pallpratt.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.