Bendigo: Golden Square comes from behind to record first win of season

Golden Square finished strongly to beat an improving Castlemaine as Maryborough suffered a horror day in the Bendigo league.

Reigning premier Golden Square has come from behind late to down an improving Castlemaine by 12 points and record its first win of the Bendigo league season.

The two teams finished at opposite ends of the ladder last year, with Golden Square winning the flag and Castlemaine finishing only ahead of wooden spooner, Maryborough.

But a shock call to dump premiership coach Christian Carter, followed by an exodus of flag heroes, contributed to it losing the first two matches of the season to Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye.

Early in the final quarter on Saturday, Golden Square trailed by 10 points before rattling home with seven goals to four to kickstart its stuttering season and avoid another defeat.

Co-captain Jayden Burke, who was playing his 100th match for Golden Square, kicked three goals as did Jordan Rosengren and Jack Stewart.

Golden Square's Rick Monti returned to play in the Bendigo league after four matches with Essendon’s VFL team. Picture: SAA Imaging

Golden Square regained the services of premiership player Rick Monti from Essendon’s VFL team for the match.

It was a major missed opportunity at home for Castlemaine, which had led at every break before being overwhelmed.

New coach Michael Hartley, star midfielder Bailey Henderson, Tyson Hickey and Jack Chester kicked two goals each for the Magpies.

Maryborough experienced one of its darkest days when it was thrashed by 258 points by Gisborne on the same day it had to forfeit its reserves team due to a lack of numbers.

It was the biggest winning margin in the league in almost 30 years and casts fresh doubts on the club’s long-term future.

Next round Maryborough plays undefeated Sandhurst which had the bye on Saturday.

GIPPSLAND

Bairnsdale has climbed to third place on the ladder with a third successive win with a drought-breaking victory against Maffra by 21 points.

Bairnsdale lost to Traralgon on Easter Saturday before stringing together victories against Drouin, Morwell and Maffra with coach Logan Austin returning on Saturday after injuring his hamstring in the season opener.

Speedster Brayden McCarrey, who missed round one due to injury, kicked four goals for Bairnsdale to move to equal leading goalscorer in the league with 12.

Reigning best and fairest winner Will Mitchell’s clearance work was a huge factor in the win Cooper Harvey, Tyran Rees and Link McKenna all kicked two goals each.

Full back Byron Vickery played his 50th senior match for Bairnsdale.

Bairnsdale led by 30 points at half time before Maffra reduced the margin to 13 at the last change.

Last season, Bairnsdale led Maffra by five goals early in the last quarter before the Eagles stormed home late to force a draw.

Maffra coach Anthony Robbins. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Archer Watt, who won the league’s under-18 best and fairest last year playing for Bairnsdale, kicked three goals for Maffra after switching clubs over summer.

His third goal of the match brought Maffra to within two points before late goals to McCarrey, McKenna and Harvey sealed Bairnsdale’s first win over Maffra in a decade.

Bairnsdale takes on Moe next round with the strong prospect of Xavier Richards will play his first match in 2024 after taking longer than expected to recover from an ankle injury he suffered last year.

Maffra sits on the bottom of the ladder at 0-4.

Meanwhile, Traralgon downed Warragul by 30 points with Maroons captain Tye Hourigan playing another starring role and Morwell recruit Tristen Waack playing his first game for the club.

NORTH CENTRAL

Donald re-entered the premiership conversation with a stunning final quarter display to set up a 39-point win against Nullawil.

The Royal Blues were overpowered by Birchip-Watchem last round, but starring roles from Ryley Barrack and Natimuk United recruit Todd Stevenson and the first appearance this season from 2022 Feeny Medal winner Ross Young were major factors in the turnaround.

Ruckman Andrew Browne, who also joined Donald this season from Mininera District league club Tatyoon, was also instrumental in the win.

Donald trailed by four points at the last change before unleashing an eight goal to one final term to run out comfortable winners.

Donald’s Ross Young playing for Richmond’s VFL team a decade ago. Picture: Kris Reichl

Young, who won the Feeny Medal two years ago aged 38, kicked three goals for Donald along with Trent and Blake Grant and Josh Potter.

It leaves Nullawil at 0-2 after entering the season with huge expectations of going one better than its runner-up finish last year.

Undefeated teams Sea Lake Nandaly and Birchip-Watchem meet next round following comfortable wins against Wycheproof-Narraport and St Arnaud respectively.