Bloods’ second-half blitz ends Dragons’ run

A SECOND-half blitz by South Bendigo eliminated Sandhurst from the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League premiership race.

The fierce rivals lined up in the elimination final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

South Bendigo had beaten the Dragons in both matches in the home-and-away series, but was wary of a team which had faced must-win games in the past month to qualify for the finals.

The Ash Connick-coached Sandhurst led 34-24 at quarter-time.

A lot the Dragons’ early ascendancy was through the play of ruckman Hamish Hosking.

In the second term the Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods moved Daniel Johnstone to the ruck and the game swung dramatically as South Bendigo fought back to lead 62-53 by the half.

After the long break it was South Bendigo which took control.

The in-form Brock Harvey was on the end of some great passes into the forward 50-metre arc and threat to the Dragons as the Bloods scored 3.5 to 1.5 in the third term.

South Bendigo dominated the last as Harvey added three more goals for a match-high tally of seven.

As the Bloods scored 4.5 they kept the Dragons to a point in the final quarter for a 114-65 victory.

Although Harvey was the key focus in attack, South Bendigo also had Will Allen, Kaiden Antonowicz, Cooper Leon and Alex Smith chip in with two goals each.

The Dragons did regain key forward Matt Thornton after being on an eight-week overseas holiday, but the loss of in-form full-forward Cobi Maxted to play VFL with Collingwood did hurt the maroon and blue.

Alex Wharton was the Dragons’ only multiple goalkicker on two.

Best for the Bloods were Brock Harvey, Daniel Johnstone, Nathan Horbury, Isaiah Miller, Braydan Torpey and Cooper Leon.

Sandhurst’s best were Jeremy Rodi, Noah Walsh, Hamish Hosking, Matt Wilkinson, Jake McLean and Alex Wharton.

In the Harmac Homes reserves elimination final, Sandhurst led 41-22 at half-time of the clash with Eaglehawk and kicked away for a 73-43 victory.

Extra time decided the SportsPower under-18s match as Strathfieldaye won 69-64 against Maryborough.