![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/04\/87366e0d-1619-4326-a_20320.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
South Bendigo lost key defender Alex Davis before the game with knee inflammation.<\/p>\n
His spot in the team was taken by Zavier Holmes, who performed solidly on short notice, despite ending the match with a hip injury.<\/p>\n
The Hawks never gave up and were within one point when star on-baller Noah Wheeler goaled at the 18-minute mark of the final term before the Bloods pulled away.<\/p>\n
He and Billy Evans were the Hawks’ best, ahead of Jonty Neaves who did a stellar job on former AFL star James Frawley, who kicked two for the Bloods.<\/p>\n
Only one of those goals was kicked when he was opposed to Neaves, who spent the final quarter on-ball in the ruck. Ben Thompson, James Coates-Moore and Oscar White were other prominent contributors for the Hawks, who slipped to 2-2 but can expect plenty of key talent to filter back into the lineup after next week’s break.<\/p>\n
Hawks coach Travis Matheson lamented his side’s inability on several occasions to kill the ball deep in defence when the opportunity arose.<\/p>\n
“It was looking a bit ugly early, but that was a lot to do with our errors and a couple of turnovers in the back half and times where we didn’t kill the ball in the goalsquare,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They kicked four goals from the goalsquare, which in footy is a criminal error to happen four times in a game that’s decided by three goals.”<\/p>\n
The Hawks’ next assignment will be Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park on 9 May.<\/p>\n
With the Bloods having played five straight weeks, and most other clubs having only played three games \u2013 and in the case of Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye only two \u2013 Coates said they would relish a small freshen up ahead of their next game against Sandhurst on 16 May.<\/p>\n
The Dragons will play Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat in between.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had a massive start. We had our praccy matches (leading) into round 1, when we had an early start, so we’ve virtually had seven or eight games in a row,” Coates said.<\/p>\n
“The two weeks couldn’t come at a better time.<\/p>\n
“There’s no serious injuries coming out of (last) Saturday, but the boys were pretty worn out.<\/p>\n
“That said, we’re very happy with where we are at.<\/p>\n
“You’ve got to bank the wins early; it’s so important come the end of the year.<\/p>\n
“It takes a bit of pressure off come the end of the year.<\/p>\n
“You really want to be finishing top three. Last year we finished fourth and had a lot of key injuries come finals.<\/p>\n
“As Eaglehawk showed last year, the second chance is just vital.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CO-COACH Troy Coates says he can feel the belief growing at South Bendigo with every close call his side is involved in. The Bloods again won praise for their ability to find their way over the line following a 17-point win over a brave Eaglehawk under lights at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Anzac Day. […]<\/p>\n