Thrillers played out at three grounds

THRILLING finishes were fought out at three venues in round eight of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s footy season.

Match of the day status went to Gisborne against Golden Square and fans who made the trek to Gardiner Reserve were not disappointed.

Golden Square scored 3.7 to 1.1 in the first term.

The Gisborne hit back to lead 41-34 by the main break, but it was the blue and gold who led 56-54 going into the final term.

The unbeaten Gisborne finished strongly to score 3.5 to a goal in a 77-62 victory.

Ruckman Braidon Blake was best afield as defender Jaidyn Owen, Matt Panuccio and Brad Bernacki starred for the league leaders.

Golden Square’s best were Liam Barrett, Jon Coe, Hamish Morcom and Jack Hickman.

At Kyneton the Tigers’ winning streak rolled on in a 17-point victory over Sandhurst.

A goal by Noah Walsh put the Dragons in front late in the game, but some Rhys Magin magic ensured the yellow and black would take the points.

Magin kicked a brilliant goal from an acute angle and then minutes later kicked his sixth to seal a 79-62 victory as the Tiger Army went wild.

A fired-up Dragons’ line-up led 35-18 at quarter-time, but the Tigers worked their way, although wayward kicking at goal could have been costly.

On-ballers Dean Bartrop and Hamish Yunghanns continued their superb seasons for Kyneton as Bailey McGee and Rhys Magin also starred.

Best for Sandhurst were ruckman Hamish Hosking, James Coghlan, and Liam Ireland on a half-back flank.

Castlemaine almost marked the upset of the season against Eaglehawk at Camp Reserve.

The Hawks were on the rebound from defeat and expected to win quite comfortably, but it was not to be as Castlemaine made a brilliant fightback in the final term.

Eaglehawk led 53-41 at three quarter-time, but was quickly under pressure.

The Magpies’ work at stoppages was rewarded as they scored three goals in the last term, while the Hawks added one.

At the final siren, Eaglehawk led 9.6 (60) to 9.6 (59).

Best for the Hawks were Sam Thompson, Dillon Williams, Joel Mullen and Billy Evans.

The Magpies’ best were Tommy Horne, Riley Pedretti, Will Moran and John Watson.

South Bendigo beat Maryborough by 51 points at Queen Elizabeth Oval, and James Schischka kicked nine goals as Strathfieldsaye defeated Kangaroo Flat by 159 points.