We continue our look back on great rounds of Bendigo football from the past 15 years.
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This week we look back at round seven, 2013, which was highlighted by a match-winning kick from Eaglehawk full-forward Matt Gretgrix.
GOLDEN SQUARE v EAGLEHAWK
An after the siren shot at goal from star forward Matt Gretgrix lifted Eaglehawk to an upset win over reigning premier Golden Square.
With scores locked together at 89 apiece at Wade Street in the dying seconds, Hawks' full-forward Matt Gretgrix took a strong contested mark off a pass from first-gamer Jacob Murley 35m out on a slight angle.
The siren sounded soon after Gretgrix's mark, leaving the result of the match hinging on the boot of the "G-Train".
With any score enough to win the game, Gretgrix's kicked went to the left of the goals for a behind to hand the Hawks a 13.12 (90) to 13.11 (89) win over Golden Square - their first against the Bulldogs since the 2008 grand final.
Ironically, Gretgrix had also been the match-winner in the 2008 grand final when he sunk the Bulldogs with eight goals.
"I didn't see the ball go through. Once it came off the boot I knew it was going to go through for something, so I was off to celebrate," Gretgrix said.
"It was a great result for the boys. We've still got a lot of work to do, but we just needed to get a bit of confidence up."
Led by Lucas Matthews and Brodie Filo in the midfield, the Hawks kicked the last four goals of the third term in a 10-minute burst through Robins, Gretgrix, Matthews and Tyson Findlay to close the gap to three points at three quarter-time.
And the momentum the Hawks built in the third term continued into the last when they opened up a 13-point advantage after goals to Ryan Threlfall and Gretgrix.
The Hawks looked to have all the run in the final quarter and were superb in their ability to lock the ball in their forward half, while their tackling pressure also lifted a cog.
But with Eaglehawk on the verge of running away with the contest, Golden Square showed its typical fighting spirit.
A rare goal to Bulldogs' defender Clayton Anderson courtesy of a 50m penalty against Threlfall cut the Hawks' advantage to seven points.
But Anderson's goal was immediately answered by a superb snap from Findlay for the Hawks from 40m that curled around for his second goal at the 20-minute mark.
However, the Bulldogs still wouldn't lie down.
After both sides missed opportunities, Golden Square's Christian Carter roved a pack 25m out and kicked his third goal to bring the Bulldogs back within six points with 2:34 remaining on the clock.
Having missed a shot on the run before Carter's goal,
Golden Square coach Rick Ladson earned a chance at redemption soon after when he was awarded a free kick from a pack 35m out.
Ladson nailed the set-shot and with 1:08 remaining, tied the scores up at 89.
From the centre bounce, Hawks' rover Matthews was pushed in the back and with his free kick, drove Eaglehawk into attack.
The Bulldogs cleared the ball from their defensive 50, but the Hawks gained possession and from the flank in front of the visiting coaches box, Murley centred the ball to Gretgrix, setting the stage for his after-thesiren heroics.
Eaglehawk ....................... 2.3 6.5 10.6 13.12 (90)
Golden Square .................. 3.2 6.7 10.9 13.11 (89)
GOALS - Eaglehawk: M. Gretgrix 4, K. Robins 3, L. Matthews, T. Findlay, R. Threlfall 2. Golden Square: C. Carter, T. Baird 3, R. Ladson 2, C. Anderson, J. Coe, S. Harris, H. Morcom, J. McLean.
BEST - Eaglehawk: L. Matthews, K. Robins, M. Gretgrix, B. Filo, E. Costello, G. Daly, P. Craig. Golden Square: J. Daley, S. Rosa, H. Morcom, C. Anderson, J. Baird. D. Young.
STRATHFIELDSAYE v GISBORNE
Gisborne ended Strathfieldsaye's unbeaten run in the match-of-the-round.
The Bulldogs were ferocious in the attack at the contest as they controlled most of the first half and then withstood a spirited fightback by Storm to win 15.14 (104) to 14.10 (94).
Key defender Anthony Belcher was superb in the air and at ground level, Casey Summerfield and Patrick Fitzgerald were in and under at a lot of packs, while Tom May, Darren Farrugia and Matt Knox each kicked three goals.
Gisborne coach Kevin Fitzgerald was rapt with the play of young guns Ethan Minns and Patrick McKenna.
"We were challenged many times today, but just kept on working," Fitzgerald said.
Vinnie Flood, Matt Ladson and Ash Trollop were best for the Storm.
Gisborne ........................... 6.4 9.7 11.11 15.14 (104)
Strathfieldsaye .................. 3.1 7.5 11.7 14.10 (94)
GOALS - Gisborne: T. May, D. Farrugia, M. Knox 3, P. McKenna, J. Campbell 2, C. Medica, P. Fitzgerald. Strathfieldsaye: M. Pilcher, K. Lea 3, S. Mildren, S. Geary 2, J. Dickens, J. Hall, S. Everington, L. Bonney.
BEST - Gisborne: A. Belcher, T. May, C. Summerfield, T. Walsh, D. Farrugia, C. Medica. Strathfieldsaye: V. Flood, M. Ladson, A. Trollop, S. Geary, L. Prior, L. Bonney.
SANDHURST v KANGAROO FLAT
Led by a 10-goal haul without a miss from full-forward Ricky Symes, Sandhurst obliterated the Roos after quarter-time to win 24.13 (157) to 4.13 (37).
The Dragons' advantage was seven points at quarter-time, before they unleashed a devastating second-term burst.
Sandhurst piled on 11.2 to one behind in the second quarter to lead by 74 points at half-time.
And they didn't take their foot off the pedal after half-time, adding 10 goals to three.
Symes was unstoppable for the Dragons with his 10 goals - the most by a Sandhurst player since Mark Fitzgerald kicked 10, also against Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park, in round 12, 2004.
The domination by the Dragons was started in the ruck by Tim Martin, while versatile big man Ben Anderson (two goals), the consistent Jon Coghlan, veteran Keiran
Nihill and Ryan Haythopre (two goals) were others to stand out.
After starting the season 0-4, the Dragons have now won their past two games against Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine by margins of 120 and 100 points - their first back-to-back wins of 100 points or more since 2000.
The Roos weren't helped by Andrew Devereaux suffering a badly broken leg in the third quarter, while captain Tyson Mihocek was knocked out during the first term. Mitch Hough and Sam Verbeek were the Roos' best
Sandhurst ......................... 3.2 14.4 17.9 24.13 (157)
Kangaroo Flat ................... 1.7 1.8 2.10 4.13 (37)
GOALS - Sandhurst: R. Symes 10, L. Ross 3, A. Wharton, R. Haythorpe, B. Anderson, J. Wharton 2, C. Price, N. Stagg, T. Credlin. Kangaroo Flat: T. Downie, T. Brooks, L. Lougoon, M. Treble.
BEST - Sandhurst: R. Symes, T. Martin, B. Anderson, J. Coghlan, K. Nihill, R. Haythorpe. Kangaroo Flat: M. Hough, S. Verbeek, L. Lougoon, T. Brooks, J. Bowyer, R. Turner.
MARYBOROUGH v SOUTH BENDIGO
South Bendigo rocketed into top spot on the Bendigo Football League ladder with a resounding 65-point thumping of Maryborough at Princes Park.
Inaccurate in the first half, the Bloods tightened up their scoring efficiency after the long break.
Key forwards Justin Maddern and Glen Scholtes nailed eight of South's 17 goals between them. At the other end, Cameron Rinaldi (three) was the Magpies' only multiple goalkicker.
Maryborough struggled all afternoon to match South Bendigo's talented onballers and rebounding half-backs in skipper Brady Childs, Aaron Connaughton, Ben Gardner and Adrian Crawford.
"We're not playing as well as I'd like, but we're getting the points and these early season premiership points are pretty important," South Bendigo coach Rick Coburn said.
Luke Bucknall, Ben Jackson and Matt Bond were the best for the Magpies.
South Bendigo ................. 3.8 8.12 14.14 17.16 (118)
Maryborough ................... 1.1 4.1 6.2 8.5 (53)
GOALS - South Bendigo: J. Maddern 5, G. Scholtes 3, M. Thompson, M. Leech, A. Cussen, J. Sheean, A. Connaughton, M. Tonkin, R. Barrack, B. Childs, B. Gardner. Maryborough: C. Rinaldi 3, T. MacIlwain, E. Smith, W. Short, T. Cahill, L. Bucknall.
BEST - South Bendigo: A. Connaughton, B. Childs, B. Gardner, A. Crawford, D. Nalder, B. Haines. Maryborough: L. Bucknall, B. Jackson, M. Bond, W. Short, E. Hurse, T. Cahill.
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