ROUND four of the TAC Cup provided some huge beltings and a draw, with Dandenong Stingrays remaining the only undefeated team, while Eastern Ranges will head into round five still searching for their first win. In other results, Oakleigh Chargers, Calder Cannons, Geelong Falcons and Murray Bushrangers got the wins, while Northern Knights and Gippsland Power split the points in Morwell.

Bendigo Pioneers 4.6 (30) defeated by Oakleigh Chargers 15.10 (100)

Oakleigh Chargers proved far too good for Bendigo Pioneers under lights on Friday night, running away with a 70-point win. The Chargers led from start to finish and had piled on 14 goals to two in the opening three quarters to open up a 74-point lead at the final break. To Bendigo’s credit, the Pioneers booted two goals to one in the final term to stem the flow and reduce the final deficit by four points.

Riley Collier-Dawkins had 28 disposals, four clearances, five inside 50s and laid four tackles in the big win, leading a well-rounded midfield that included James Rowbottom (25 disposals, eight tackles, eight clearances, seven inside 50s) and Xavier O’Neill (26 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s and four rebounds). Matthew Fewings and Kyle Viccars were others impressive in the win, while Lachlan Bugeja found plenty of the football with 27 disposals and 11 marks.

For Bendigo, Hunter Lawrence saw plenty of the football in defence with 26 disposals, five marks and eight rebounds, while Noah Wheeler was prominent in the midfield with 22 disposals, five clearances, five inside 50s and five tackles. Bailey Henderson was consistent as always with eight inside 50s and a goal from 18 disposals, while Josh Schischka booted two goals – the only multiple goal kicker for the Pioneers.

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Geelong Falcons 16.11 (107) defeated Eastern Ranges 9.8 (62)

Geelong Falcons flew out of the gates to put the game to bed and record their first win with a 12 goals to three first half against the Eastern Ranges. With both sides yet to trouble the ‘win’ column in season 2018, Geelong showed great intent, piling on five goals in the first quarter and seven in the second to hold a massive 56-point advantage at the main break. A four goals to two third term in favour of the visitors meant Eastern was not going to throw in the towel, eventually going down by 45 points at Avalon Airport Oval.

Sam Walsh had the ball on a string once again with 38 disposals (31 kicks), six marks, six inside 50s, five rebounds, four clearances, nine tackles and a goal, while Baxter Mensch racked up 14 clearances from 34 disposals in a huge game through the midfield. Charlie Harris found plenty of it in defence with eight rebounds from 25 disposals and four marks, while Connor Idun proved a target up forward, booting two goals from 20 disposals. Oscar Brownless continued his solid form with 24 touches and five clearances.

For Eastern, Kye Quirk was the highest disposal winner, notching up 25 disposals, four marks, five clearances, four inside 50s and booting a goal, while Chayce Black was equally impressive with 24 disposals, five tackles and three clearances. Lachlan Stapleton‘s reputation as a tackling machine continued, with the tough onballer notching up double figures again, laying 12 tackles. Others that impressed were Mitch Mellis (17 disposals, four inside 50s and three clearances) and James Blanck (11 disposals and six rebounds.

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Murray Bushrangers 22.6 (138) defeated Sandringham Dragons 11.7 (73)

An eight-goal haul to AFL Academy key position player Hudson Garoni led the Murray Bushrangers to a barnstorming 65-point victory over the previously undefeated Sandringham Dragons. With the start of APS football kicking off, the Dragons made 16 changes to their line-up and despite starting strongly with five goals to two, they were smashed after quarter time. The Bushrangers piled on 20 goals to six in some serious one way traffic.

Garoni led all comers with eight goals from 20 disposals and nine marks (five contested), while Bailey Frauenfelder (four goals from 19 disposals) ably assisted in the front half. Ely Smith dominated through the midfield with 27 disposals, seven clearances and six inside 50s, while Lachlan Ash was solid once again in defence with 24 disposals, eight marks and six rebounds. Others who impressed were Jye Chalcraft (17 disposals, five marks and three inside 50s) and Laitham Vandermeer (22 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s).

For the Dragons, Angus Hanrahan was one of the few who could hold his head high with three goals from 18 disposals and three marks. Others who stood up were bottom-ager Jackson Hannah (three goals), Alastair Richards (23 disposals, 10 inside 50s and five clearances) and Liam Stocker (18 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s and three clearances).

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Gippsland Power 10.6 (66) drew with Northern Knights 10.6 (66)

A last-second Irving Mosquito snap has helped Gippsland Power steal a couple of vital premiership points from its round four clash with Northern Knights. The Knights led the entire way, right up until the dying seconds, when Mosquito marked the ball inside 50, accidentally stepped off his line with 10 seconds remaining, snapped and luckily the ball sailed through. For most of the match, the Knights had held the Power at bay, but a second half of eight goals to five was the catalyst for the revival after Northern had booted five goals to two in the first half.

Mosquito was named best for his side with his 15 disposals, nine inside 50s and four goals, while Jake Van Der Pligt found plenty of the ball with 27 disposals, seven marks and a game-high 11 tackles. Riley Baldi continued his good form with 24 disposals, five marks and a goal, while Kyle Reid was strong in defence, taking nine marks from 20 disposals and seven rebounds. Overager Tyrone Hayes returned for his first game in more than 12 months, picking up 14 disposals, taking five marks and booting a goal, while Brock Smith was also good with 14 disposals, nine tackles and four clearances.

For the Knights, captain Braedyn Gillard racked up 25 disposals, five marks, eight clearances, four inside 50s and booted the first goal of the game to be a big influence on the contest, while partner-in-crime Harrison Grace stood up in the absence of Tom McKenzie, picking up 21 disposals and five marks. Ryan Sturgess was good in defence with four rebounds from 28 disposals and 10 marks, alongside Stefan Uzelac who had an equal game-high seven rebounds from 19 disposals and eight marks.

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Dandenong Stingrays 26.11 (167) defeated Western Jets 6.5 (41)

Just when we thought Dandenong’s performance against the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels was as complete as it could be, the Stingrays raised the bar with a 126-point belting of the Western Jets. it was a performance to remember for the home side, with Bailey Williams slamming home seven goals from 17 disposals and eight marks, as Dandenong booted 15 goals after half-time to build on the already impressive 57-point lead they held at the main break. An eight goals to zero final term was completely one way traffic.

Along with Williams, fellow AFL Academy member Riley Bowman had 13 hitouts from 17 disposals, six marks and three goals, while Zac Foot also added three goals from 16 disposals, seven marks and five inside 50s. Others who impressed were Bailey Schmidt with two goals and 22 hitouts between ruck and forward, Lachlan McDonnell with 17 disposals, six marks and two goals, as well as Will Hamill with 21 disposals, five rebounds and four tackles.

For Western, it was a tough day at the office, but Xavier O’Halloran never stopped trying, notching up 18 disposals (15 kicks), four marks, six clearances, nine inside 50s and laying six tackles. Josh Honey provided some scoring power up front with three goals from 15 disposals and seven marks, while Steven Kyriazis booted two majors. Connor Thar (31 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and three inside 50s) won plenty of the football, as did Jaden Rice (28 disposals, 10 clearances, four inside 50s).

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GWV Rebels 9.11 (65) defeated by Calder Cannons 12.11 (83)

Calder Cannons notched up their second win of the season to get back on an even keel with a come-from-behind 18-point win over the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. The Cannons led at quarter and half-time, building a 16-point advantage at the main break. But the Rebels hit the front by the final break courtesy of a five goals to one third term to lead by two goals heading into the last quarter. But the Cannons piled on six goals to one in the last to run away with the match and record a memorable victory.

Co-captain Jack Bytel suffered leather poisoning with 37 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s, two rebounds and a goal, while Lachlan Sholl was solid through the midfield and defence with 24 touches, seven marks, four clearances, three inside 50s and two rebounds. AFL Academy members Curtis Taylor (19 disposals and two goals) and Rhylee West (22 disposals and six inside 50s) were also impressive for the victors , while Jake Riccardi booted two goals from 17 disposals and 10 marks. Lucas Cavallaro and Jack Evans continued their consistent form in defence.

For the GWV Rebels, Jacob Lohmann had 21 disposals, eight marks, three tackles and two rebounds, while Tom Berry returned from concussion booting 2.4 from 19 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four clearances and five inside 50s.  Jed Hill was named the Rebels best for his 3.3 from 14 disposals, nine marks and inside 50s, while Charlie Wilson also booted 3.3, from 19 disposals, four marks, four clearances and six tackles. Tylar Watts returned to the ruck and had 20 hitouts from nine disposals, while James Cleaver had eight rebounds.