Dogs thrash Storm at Golden Square

GOLDEN Square marked a convincing fifty-eight-point victory against Strathfieldsaye in Saturday’s ninth round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League season.

The Bulldogs were on from the first ball-up of the contest between second and third placed sides at Fur Life Oval.

At quarter-time, Golden Square led 37-nil, and both teams scored 2.2 in the second term.

Wayward kicking did not reward the Bulldogs’ dominance in the on-ball and midfield duels as strong defence kept Storm to just three goals for the game.

The Bulldogs went on to win 10.20 (80) to 3.4 (22). It was Storm’s lowest tally for many seasons.

Golden Square did not rely on key forwards Joel Brett and Jayden Burke to dominate as they had the previous round against Castlemaine.

On Saturday, Brett kicked one goal and Burke was goalless, but a great sign for the blue and gold was nine other players who booted majors.

The only multiple goalkicker in the match was Storm’s James Schischka on two.

Ruckman Matt Compston earned best afield honours for the Bulldogs as Braydon Vaz, Ryan Hartley, Hamish Morcom, Liam Duguid and Ricky Monti also won plenty of contests.

It was a tough afternoon for the Storm with their best listed as Mitchell Hallinan, Thomas Bennett, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Callum McCarty, Ben Lester and Jake Moorhead.

Meanwhile, Kyneton has moved to fourth on the ladder at Eaglehawk’s expense with the Tigers winning by 75 points on Maryborough’s turf at Princes Park.

The unbeaten Gisborne led 58-9 at half-time of its clash at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park. Gisborne went on to win 100 to 37 as Braidon Blake was best on ground.

South Bendigo and Sandhurst both kept the pressure on the fifth-placed Eaglehawk.

The Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo won 93-47 at Kangaroo Flat.

Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend included the Sandhurst and Castlemaine match at Queen Elizabeth Oval which ended in a 111-point triumph for the Dragons.

Lee and James Coghlan were best as Cobi Maxted and Lachlan Zimmer kicked five and four goals.