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<\/p>\n
A 157-point margin at three quarter-time quickly escalated to 205 by the final siren.<\/p>\n
Having significantly bolstered their line-up during the off-season, Coates was pleased to see all of the recruits who played make strong contributions.<\/p>\n
“Kaiden obviously kicked 11, so it was hard not to put him as our best, but Coen Harker was right up there with him,” he said.<\/p>\n
“He was sensational through the middle, and so was Templeton.<\/p>\n
“Nathan Kay was awesome. He only played three quarters, after getting a bit of a knock and we managed his time. But what he did was sensational.<\/p>\n
“Jack English and Cohen Balnaves were good for us as well.”<\/p>\n
A virtual recruit, Josh Nitschke showed out after missing much of the 2025 season with osteitis pubis.<\/p>\n
Behind Antonowicz, reigning Ron Best medallist Brock Harvey, Alex Smith and gun midfielder Brody Haddow each kicked three goals as 12 players in total contributed majors.<\/p>\n
The only other downside, youngster Logan Howell sustained a head knock and is expected to miss two weeks.<\/p>\n
Not an easy day for Broadford, it was nevertheless an historic one for the club, arriving in the BFNL after two years in recess.<\/p>\n
While it was a quick reality check, Coates praised the Kangaroos’ tremendous spirit.<\/p>\n
“They had a crack; they put their bodies on the line,” he said.<\/p>\n
“There was some big contests in the game.<\/p>\n
“It was a big day; there was a huge crowd, great for their club.”<\/p>\n
Jaiden Magor, Brodie Stray and Louis Thompson stood tallest for the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n
A stiffer challenge awaits the Bloods on Good Friday against Strathfieldsaye at Tannery Lane, with plenty of recent history building between the two clubs.<\/p>\n
South Bendigo won the two clubs’ season opener at Harry Trott Oval last season by one point, with the Storm winning their second clash at Tannery Lane by six points.<\/p>\n
The Bloods took the points in the decider, holding their nerve for a 10-point elimination final victory.<\/p>\n
Former coach Nathan Horbury is expected to return for South Bendigo, after missing the Broadford clash due to personal commitments.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure it’s going to be a close game, but we’re looking forward to it,” Coates said.<\/p>\n
Broadford has the bye over the Easter weekend and will face Sandhurst at the QEO on its return to action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOUTH Bendigo’s high-profile recruits have wasted no time in firing, with plenty of newcomers playing starring roles in the Bloods’ emphatic 205-point demolition of Broadford last Saturday. The Bloods, superbly led by class Queensland on-ball duo Coen Harker and Tom Templeton, dispatched the league’s newcomers 32.26 (218) to 2.1 (13). But a massive statement came […]<\/p>\n