Resilient Bloods build belief in nail-biting win over Storm

PROUD South Bendigo co-coach Troy Coates says the Bloods’ stirring one-point win over Strathfieldsaye in round one of BFNL football will give them plenty of belief that they can match it with the competition’s best sides.

Following a massive pre-season on the recruiting front, there was plenty of hype surrounding the Bloods entering round one.

Crucially, they were able to deliver on their home turf at Harry Trott Oval, with recruits Kaiden Antonowicz (six goals), Tom Brereton, Mac Cameron and Jack Fallon leading the charge.

It was just what the Bloods would have been hoping for from their high-profile signings.

“Obviously we did some targeted recruiting and those guys were fantastic,” Coates said.

“But one of the most pleasing things is we are not just focused on our seniors.

“Our under-18s won quite comfortably, our reserves won and our A-grade netballers won. It was a great day all round.

“There was a massive crowd there, record-breaking numbers over the bar and raffles – everyone was up and about on the weekend.

“It just goes to show the potential of the club. We’re in a good spot.”

Coates could not have been happier with his side’s resilience, after a run of six straight goals to the Storm during the third and early part of the fourth quarters threatened to undo their earlier good work in establishing a handy three-goal half-time lead.

“They are a quality side, Strath, but it’s given a bit of belief to our boys that our best is good enough,” he said.

“We were 36 points up at one stage, but we just took the foot off the pedal and came back hard.

“They hit the front, but we pegged it back.

“That was the most pleasing thing – they hit the front, but we didn’t give up. Obviously, that will to win is very pleasing as a coach.”

The win was soured by another knee injury to Will Keck.

The classy midfielder-forward returned for his first game since the 2023 elimination final following an ACL injury, but again finds himself on the sidelines.

“He’s getting scans Thursday (yesterday), but unfortunately it’s not looking good for him,” Coates said.

“He was training the house down and played all the praccy matches.

“It’s devastating for the kid – he’s just trained so hard and was so up and about. He’s a South boy through and through, but to do that in his first official game back, it’s devastating.”

The Storm will make do without co-captain Daniel Clohesy for the remainder of the season, after he underwent surgery on Sunday on an injured shoulder sustained in the third quarter.

Coates said the belief gained from Saturday’s win would be needed in spades as the Bloods prepared to take on Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve on Good Friday.

“It’s a tough ask – I don’t think too many teams have beaten Gisborne on their home ground over the last 10 years,” he said.

“They had a massive weekend (against Kangaroo Flat) so they are going to be up and about.

“It will be another big challenge for us to see where we are at.”

In other Good Friday games, Strathfieldsaye hosts Sandhurst, which kick-started its premiership defence with a convincing 54-point win over Castlemaine; Eaglehawk, which opened with a 10-goal win over Golden Square, clashes with Kangaroo Flat at Canterbury Park; and Castlemaine and Golden Square meet at Camp Reserve.