Bendigo: Golden Square extends Eaglehawk’s run of close defeats

Thrilling finishes and upsets were the order of the day in the Bendigo, Gippsland and Ovens and Murray leagues. See who won the tight ones.

Golden Square has become the third team in as many rounds to beat Eaglehawk by less than a goal with a stirring come-from-behind win in the Bendigo league on Saturday.

Eaglehawk was unbeaten after five rounds, but has lost its last three games to Kangaroo Flat, Kyneton and now the Bulldogs by a combined seven points.

The Hawks led by 12 points in the final term before being run down by Golden Square by three points with Joel Brett booting five goals and Tom Toma starring in the midfield for the victors.

Golden Square’s Joel Brett kicked five goals in the thrilling win against Eaglehawk.

Dual premiership player Matthew Compston celebrated his 200th senior match for the Bulldogs with an important mid-season victory and a goal.

Golden Square has won its last three matches to be in second spot on the ladder behind undefeated Sandhurst, which plays a desperate Eaglehawk next round.

Golden Square coach Christian Carter. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

South Bendigo inflicted more misery on reigning premier Gisborne with a 68-point drubbing that has left the Bulldogs languishing in eighth spot with only two wins at the halfway mark of the season.

GIPPSLAND

Traralgon has bounced back from a rare hammering at home last round against Wonthaggi to record a gutsy nine-point win against Sale in the Gippsland league.

The Maroons were totally outclassed by another finals contender Wonthaggi seven days ago and seemingly had the result under control against Sale when they led by 26 points at three quarter time.

Sale’s Jack Leslie booted two goals in the last quarter against Traralgon. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

But, the Magpies rose to the challenge in the last term with the move forward of versatile big man Jack Leslie, who kicked two goals, before veteran Kane Martin momentarily put Sale in front with a long-range goal.

Traralgon steadied with the last two goals of the match from the boot of Billy Schilling to secure a vital nine-point win.

The Maroons responded to last week’s drubbing by making four changes at selection and Sale went into the match without coach Jack Johnstone due to suspension.

Tom Schneider dominated in the Traralgon midfield with Hayden Hector celebrating his 100th senior match for the Maroons with a win.

Traralgon remains outside the top three behind Wonthaggi, which hammered Morwell by 85 points with talented midfielder Ryan Sparkes best on ground for the victors.

Sale is two points clear in fifth spot ahead of Bairnsdale which kicked eight goals to one in the final term to beat Warragul by 41 points.

Pacy small forward Brayden McCarrey booted five goals for Bairnsdale.

OVENS AND MURRAY

Former Collingwood player Tim Broomhead has recorded his most significant win as North Albury coach with the Hoppers upsetting finals-bound Wangaratta Rovers by 37 points.

Broomhead took over as coach of North Albury at the start of this season and has led the club to three wins in its last four games.

Wangaratta Rovers beat flag contenders Yarrawong last round and led North Albury by one point at halftime.

Former Collingwood player Tim Broomhead has led North Albury to an upset win against Wangaratta Rovers. Pic: Michael Klein

But the Hoppers kicked seven goals to one in the second half with Farrer league recruit Nathan Dennis kicking five goals and Sam Azzi returning from VFL side Werribee to further bolster the ranks.

The Rovers, who are coached by another former Collingwood player, Sam Murray, have slipped to fifth spot on the ladder and play arch rival Wangaratta next game.

Former AFL player Harley Bennell has kicked four goals, including three in the first term, to help Wodonga Raiders to their first win of the season.

The Raiders beat Myrtleford by seven points with another former AFL player Cameron Ellis-Yolmen best-on-ground for the victors.

Originally published as Bendigo: Golden Square extends Eaglehawk’s run of close defeats