Bulldogs surge clear in Hawks’ nest

GOLDEN Square dominated the second half to score a forty-seven-point victory on Eaglehawk’s turf in last Saturday’s fourth round of Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League senior footy action.

The Canterbury Park ground had been a hoodoo for the Bulldogs in recent years and in the first hour it looked like the trend may roll on.

Wet conditions from Friday night’s downpour meant there were plenty of ball-ups which tested the stoppage work of all players and meant a big workload for Bulldogs’ ruckman Matt Compston and the Hawks’ Jack Lawton.

Despite missing key players Clayton Holmes and Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk put up a great fight to be within eight points of the Dogs at half-time.

Defences had been on top, especially Eaglehawk’s against the in-form Joel Brett, Jayden Burke and Tom Strauch.

Play opened up in the crucial third term, with the run and linkwork through midfield into attack a highlight of the play by both teams.

The Christian Carter-coached Golden Square added 5.4, but the Hawks stayed in striking distance by scoring 3.1, which included two majors by Corey Roberts.

The final term was to be all blue and gold as the non-stop run of Bulldogs’ onballers Ryan Hartley, who marked his 50th senior game for the club, Jake Thrum from a wing and captain Jack Geary had a major impact.

Golden Square slammed on 5.5 to 1.5 to complete a 94-47 victory.

Leader in the race for the Ron Best Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker, Joel Brett led the Bulldogs attack on three goals as Burke and Strauch added two each.

Leading goalkickers for the Hawks were Liam Marciano and Corey Roberts, two apiece.

The play of Liam Barrett and Liam Duguid in defence was a big factor in Golden Square’s success, along with the marking and athleticism of Strauch across half-forward.

Eaglehawk’s best were key defenders Dylan Hanley and Oscar Madden who were given the daunting task opposed to Burke and Brett.

Others to play well for the Two Blues were Brady Rowles, Lewin Davis, ruck-rover Billy Evans and Noah Wheeler in the midfield.