Northern Knights come from behind to beat Bendigo, claim first win of NAB League season

Northern Knights invoked the Anzac spirit as they came from behind to beat Bendigo Pioneers on Friday night to claim their first win of the NAB League season.

Cooper Barbera in action for Northern Knights.

Northern Knights invoked the Anzac spirit as they overran Bendigo to claim their first win of the NAB League season on Friday night.

Under the lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval, the Knights kept the Pioneers goalless in the final quarter to claim a breakthrough five-point victory.

Adding to the drama in the thrilling fourth term, the game had to be stopped for several minutes after the sprinklers turned on in the middle of the ground.

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Young tall Zane Costello took a huge pack mark and kicked truly to give his team the lead with five minutes remaining and the Knights held their nerve.

Knights Coach Justin Wenke was pleased to prevail after a tough start to the season.

“We spoke about playing with a bit of Anzac spirit and being a collective. That was probably the major difference from the last four games,” he said.

Lachlan Potter in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It was a challenging game because they got some numbers behind the ball.

“It took us to almost the last kick of the game to be able to penetrate and score.

“We haven’t been too far away … the boys were pretty happy after the game and hopefully that gets us going, a bit of belief.”

Josh D’Intinosante was again superb with 29 disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal while Lachlan Potter collected 28 possessions and eight marks.

Sunny Brazier is tackled in the clash against GWS Academy.

Wenke singled out bottom-age father-son prospect Ewan Macpherson (son of Bulldogs great Steve) for his shutdown job on Pioneers forward Caleb Fisher, while 19-year-old Sunny Brazier was also a strong contributor.

Northern started brightly but a loss in concentration allowed Bendigo to kick three unanswered goals late in the second quarter to take a 17-point lead into the half-time break.

However, the Knights dominated after the break, kicking five goals to one as the Pioneers’ wastefulness in front of goal came back to bite them.

The Knights will look to keep their winning form going when they host Northern Territory Thunder at Princes Park this weekend before a trip to Ballarat to face Greater Western Victoria Rebels.

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