Bendigo, Loddon Valley, Millewa, Central Murray footy wrap: South Bendigo finals bound

South Bendigo has its eyes on September while two players from Marong booted their 100th goals of the season during a big weekend of country footy.

South Bendigo bolstered its chances of playing finals in the Bendigo league for the first time in a decade when it withstood a last term surge from Kyneton at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.

The home team raced to a 23-point lead at quarter time and eventually won by 19 points after Kyneton peppered the goals in the final term, but was off target at crucial stages.

Ryan Pretty brought Kyneton to within 12 points, but a 50m penalty soon after led to Will Keck sealing victory for South Bendigo.

Keck was high up in South’s best players with Andrew van Heumen and Samuel Maher and Kyneton’s Harrison Huntley, Louis Phillips and Mason Crozier were prominent.

South has moved a game clear of Kyneton in fourth spot and is only a game behind third-placed Golden Square which slipped up to sixth-placed Eaglehawk.

Seventh-placed Sandhurst is only a game outside the top five after thrashing Kangaroo Flat by 63 points.

South Bendigo coach Nathan Horbury. Picture: David Johnston

South Bendigo coach Nathan Horbury said the result was “massive” for the team he took on as coach in 2019 after a stellar career with Ballarat league club Redan.

“We knew today was pretty important to play finals,” he said.

“It was pretty pleasing how we started because it’s probably something we’ve lacked in the past.

“We knew they were going to come back at us and it was good we held on in the end.”

South is hoping to regain Cam Taggart (hamstring), Brayden Torpey (shoulder) and Isaiah Miller (hand) in the run home to finals that includes back-to-back matches against the top two teams, Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye.

“We’ve got a pretty solid run home, but hopefully we can win the games we need to,” Horbury said.

South Bendigo finals bound in Bendigo league. @theweeklytimes@[e-mail]/liSz0Uwhdm

— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) July 16, 2022

Kyneton also had players missing due to injury and suspension including Cameron Manuel, Cameron Wallce, Dean Bartrop, James Gaff and Fraser Driscoll.

“We got jumped early and were playing catch up sort of from there,” Kyneton coach Paul Chapman said.

“We made it really tough for ourselves.

“One pleasing thing was we dug deep and had an opportunity to possibly steal it.

“It was a good response from the boys, but we’ve just got to start games better.”

LODDON VALLEY, MILLEWA

Marong’s Brandyn Grenfell and Bambill’s Brad Congress both registered their 100th goals of the season on Saturday.

Grenfell started the day on 96 goals and had his 100th goal alongside his name 10 minutes into the first quarter against Newbridge.

He finished the match with 15.

Brandyn Grenfell kicked 15 goals on his way to 100 for the season for Marong. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Congress began his match on 90 goals and booted his 100th goal for the season with 10 minutes remaining in the last term before adding a further goal in the final minutes against Nangiloc.

Grenfell missed a set shot from 40m out directly in front moments before bringing up his century with a snap from close range.

Bambill's Brad Congress kicked 11 goals to bring up his century of goals.

His 15 goals bettered his previous best haul this season of 14 in round six against Inglewood.

“It’s been a big week and it’s nice to get it done and out of the way,” he said.

“It’s good to kick 100 goals, but it’s because of the midfielders and the backline that I kick them.”

Marong is on top of the ladder and chasing its first flag since 1989.

Congress went into the final quarter still needing five goals to bring up his century.

CENTRAL MURRAY

Woorinen has brought flag favourite Kerang’s 11-match undefeated run this season to an end with a resounding 38-point victory.

Bolstered by the inclusion of Bendigo Pioneers regulars Lachlan Wright and Nyawi Moore and the return of fullback Ben Booth from an extended injury lay-off, Woorinen outscored Kerang six goals to three in the second half.

Woorinen won the 2018-19 flags before the covid-19 disruptions of the last two years.

Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria, centre. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

“We’ve been building,” Woorinen coach Marcus Demaria said.

“We haven’t been close to full strength for the whole year and always had five or six out.

“They were missing a few key players today also.

“But our pressure was the key, we were relentless over the four quarters.

“They flogged us last time we played.”

Kerang thrashed Woorinen by 11 goals in round three, but was missing star duo Bryce Curnow and Ryan Gillingham on Saturday.

Patrick Veszpremi. Picture: Josie Hayden

Woorinen also went into the match without forwards Tom Eltringham and Clayton McCartney.

Wright and first year player Patrick Veszpremi kicked four and three goals respectively for the victors.

Veszpremi made a delayed start to the season due to a suspension incurred playing for Keilor last season.