Gippsland Power 7.14 (56)
Murray Bushrangers 15.11 (101)

The Murray Bushrangers have continued their dominant start to the TAC Cup season with a 45-point victory of the Gippsland Power in Morwell on Saturday.

It was a tight contest through three quarters; until the Bushrangers broke the game open in the last quarter kicking six goals and holding the Power goalless to notch their second win of the season.

The Bushrangers were lead by Josh Minogue in a best on ground performance, who ran the Power ragged all game, especially in the fourth quarter where he took over and grabbed two big contested marks and kicked two goals to help seal the game for Murray.

Will Brodie was also prevalent for the Bushrangers, busting through packs and helping to set the Bushrangers up with his superb stoppage work throughout the day, he was also able to sneak forward from the midfield and kick two goals to help set up the victory.

Gippsland had a chance to mount a comeback, after kicking three goals straight to bring the margin to just 11 points by three quarter time, with Nash Holmes and Connor Ambler leading the comeback, but it didn’t last for long, as the Bushrangers then piled on six straight majors of their own to snuff out any comeback from the home side.

Holmes and Ambler’s work in close to propel the ball forward kept the Power within reach, but the Bushrangers pressure was just too much, resulting in too many turnovers in the back half of the ground, which cost the Power on the scoreboard.

The Bushrangers will try to keep their dominant start to the season going against the North Ballarat Rebels at Queen Elizabeth Oval, while the Gippsland Power will meet the Geelong Falcons at the same ground in the first of three matches to be played in Bendigo.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Josh Minogue (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Will Brodie (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Nash Holmes (Gippsland Power)
2 – Connor Ambler (Gippsland Power)
1 – Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers)

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Bendigo Pioneers 7.6 (48)
North Ballarat Rebels 20.8 (128)

Bendigo goals: K. Mutch (2), L. Schultz, S. Simmons, J. White, J. Firebrace, R. Free.
North Ballarat goals: M. Johnston (6), L. Meek (3), T. Templeton (2), J. Cowan (2), N. Hausler, C. Lee,   B. Lusby, B. Simpson, S. White, J. Berry, S. Beks.
Bendigo best: R. Free, J. Fox, L. Ryan, J. Burke, L. Tardrew
North Ballarat best: M. Johnston, J. Webster, T. Templeton, J. Cowan, S. McClure, N. Hausler

After a horror road trip which ended in a 107-point thumping at the hands of the Murray Bushrangers, the Bendigo Pioneers had a point to prove against North Ballarat at home on Good Friday.

The match was highly entertaining and a very even contest early as both teams traded goals before Bendigo took a minor 1-point lead into the first change. The contest finally broke open halfway through the second quarter when North Ballarat forward Matthew Johnston booted two of his impressive six goals for the game. The Rebels continued to pile on the pressure forcing a nervous Bendigo side into some costly errors. The visitors held a handy 32-point lead heading into the main break.

As the match continued, the class of the North Ballarat ball winners was clear as the visitors slammed home eight of the last nine goals of the match resulting in an 80-point demolition, a feeling far too familiar for the Bendigo Pioneers.

Bendigo midfielder Lachlan Tardrew showed plenty of heart by collecting a game high 33 disposals in a losing side while North Ballarat’s Thomas Templeton and Sam McClure fought hard with 21 and 18 disposals respectively.

Round four on Saturday April 11th will see both teams take part in the Queen Elizabeth Oval triple header in Bendigo with the North Ballarat Rebels facing the in-form Murray Bushrangers at 3:30pm. The Pioneers will be looking to secure their first win of the season against the Dandenong Stingrays under lights from 6pm.
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BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Matthew Johnston (North Ballarat Rebels)
4 – Tom Templeton (North Ballarat Rebels)
3 – Lachlan Tardrew (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Sam McClure (North Ballarat Rebels)
1 – Lloyd Meek (North Ballarat Rebels)

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Northern Knights 16.6 (102)
Sandringham Dragons 7.11 (53)

Northern goals: Jordan (4), Adams (2), Gresham (2), Ercolano (2), El Moussalli, Peet, Malone, Fiorini, Mattingly, Thomas.
Sandringham goals: Roos (2), Lopo, Atkins, Rich, Wilkinson, Wallace.
Northern best: Gresham, Jordan, Ercolano, El Moussalli, Fiorini, Peet
Sandringham best: Roos, Parsons, Wilkinson, Wallace, Atkins, Pavlou

Northern lead from start to finish in their first home game of the season, as they comfortably beat the Dragons on Friday by 49 points.

The Knights had the wind in the first quarter and it showed, kicking the first six goals of the game and keeping Sandringham scoreless to quarter time. The Dragons weren’t able to get much ball going forward, and when they did the Knights defenders stood up tall.

Bailey Jordan kicked the first two goals of the game, and was a strong target throughout, finishing up with four. It was early pressure that was too much for the Dragons to handle, as costly mistakes were made and turned into easy Knights goals.

Sandringham lifted in the second quarter as both sides kicked three each for the term, but with the wind behind them the Dragons were unable to close the gap heading into half time.

Sandringham came out after the main break looking for a way to get back into the contest, but it was Knights captain Jade Gresham who kicked the first of the second half after some strong work inside 50. Brayden Fiorini and Michael Ercolano were cutting apart the Dragons backline, as both players booted goals in the third term. As much as they tried, Sandringham just couldn’t kick a couple in a row and get a run on in the third, as the Knights lead by 34 heading into the final quarter.

As he did in the first quarter, Jordan kicked two goals in the last to seal the game for the Knights, but it was captain Jade Gresham who kicked one of the goals of the round. Gresham picked it up at half back, took a couple bounces before sending a kick downfield, he then followed up his kick and received a handball heading inside 50, where he steadied and goaled, a great way to finish off a fantastic Knights win.

Sandringham host Oakleigh next weekend, while the Knights have to wait for the following weekend before playing their next match away to Gippsland.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Jade Gresham (Northern Knights)
4 – Bailey Jordan (Northern Knights)
3 – Michael Ercolano (Northern Knights)
2 – Brayden Fiorini  (Northern Knights)
1 – James El Moussalli (Northern Knights)

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Eastern Ranges 14.9 (93)
Calder Cannons 10.7 (67)

Eastern goals: Gilbert (2), Hardwick (2), R. Clarke (2), Klep, Fenton, Cotte, Lynch, Batty, Aldridge, Gallucci, Harvey.
Calder goals: Tarczon (2), Brown (2), Blythe, Kovacevic, Flower, Lewis, James, Flanigan.
Eastern best: Brolic, R. Clarke, Fenton, Batty, Gallucci, Horner.
Calder best: James, Gawthrop, Condon, Ryan, Laguda, Kovacevic.

Eastern Ranges bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Oakleigh Chargers last week to knock over the previously undefeated Calder Cannons by 26 points in the first night game of the year at Bayswater Oval.

Unlike in their huge win over the Western Jets in Round 1, the Ranges had a range of goal scorers without a dominant forward all day. Anthony Brolic and Ryan Clarke continued their fantastic form in the early part of the season, while Aaron Fenton had a match-high 15 tackles.

For the Cannons, Jack James was again impressive, while Tom Condon was also another shining light in an otherwise disappointing loss, even if they were missing star midfielder Nick O’Kearney to the AIS team. Eastern were missing three players in Sam Weideman, James Parsons and Liam Jeffs to the same cause.

Both teams have a break this coming weekend to assess their early season form. With two wins and one loss, there will be plenty of positives and negatives to work with at this stage.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Anthony Brolic (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Ryan Clarke (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Jack James (Calder Cannons)
2 – Aaron Fenton (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Bryce Batty (Eastern Ranges)

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Western Jets 6.6 (42)
Oakleigh Chargers 16.17 (113)

Western goals: Knezevic (2), Bertollo (2), Griffiths, Butt.
Oakleigh goals: Whitehead (2), Walker (2), Thompson (2), Cunningham, Corboy, Lane, Answerth, Silvagni, Morgan,  Johnstone, Sullivan, Phillips, Firns.
Western best: Vujanic, Foley, Berry, Bertollo, Volpato
Oakleigh best: Cunningham, Walker, Answerth, Hooper, Johnstone, Aujard, Thompson

Saturday morning saw the Western Jets host top of the table Oakleigh Chargers in a bid to post their first win of the season. The blue sky and the surprising lack of wind coming in off the bay set the scene for a great day’s footy and when Matthew Knezevic marked strongly and goaled for the Jets to open the scoring, it looked like the home side was up and running. That was short lived however as the Chargers midfield got going and the away side kicked the next two in quick succession. When Carlton father son prospect Jack Silvagni kicked a clever opportunistic goal, the Chargers had three in a row. However a superb pack mark and goal  from Chargers’ springheeled forward, Xavier Morgan, made it four on the trot and gave Oakleigh a 20-point lead at quarter time.

The second quarter went the way of the first with Jake Bertollo opening the scoring for the Jets before Oakleigh made it another four for the quarter to establish a six goal lead at halftime. The Jets were no match for the Chargers run and handball game as David Cuningham, Lachlan Walker, Jono Aujard and Kade Answerth took control of the midfield and the Chargers eventually ran out easy 71-point victors.

For the Jets Daniel Foley and Wilson Berry provided plenty of eye catching run and skills and Jackson Volpato was tireless at the bottom of packs. Full back Tylar Vujanic however was the Jets’ best player and took out honours as best key position player on the ground.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – David Cuningham (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Lachlan Walker (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Kade Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Tylar Vujanic (Western Jets)
1 – Harvey Hooper (Oakleigh Chargers)

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Dandenong Stingrays 12.12 (84)
Geelong Falcons 6.14 (50)

Dandenong goals: Roscoe (4), Stoffels (2), Poholke (2), Dalmau, Williams, Di Pasquale, Cox.
Geelong goals: McCartney, Holroyd,Wagener, Farrell, Zdybel, Patten.
Dandenong best: Capiron, Roscoe, White, Rice, Poholke, Cox
Geelong best: Doedee, McCartney, Sheahan, Holroyd, Farrell, Witherden

Dandenong and Geelong began their respective seasons in two very different ways. The Falcons recorded a two-point victory over the Rebels at home while the Stingrays were thumped by 55 points at the hands of Gippsland. A large crowd at the sunny Shepley Oval saw Dandenong bounce back from that disappointing performance and put their first win on the board for season 2015.

Earlier on in the day the Falcons defeated the Stingrays 13.6 (84) to 5.13 (44) in the Under 16s, however it will be little consolation for the Geelong Under 18s as they were simply embarrassed by a unified Dandenong outfit.

The signs initially looked good for the Falcons, finishing the first quarter on top by 13 points. Lachie Batten’s penetrating kick inside the forward 50 found Zak Roscoe, who opened the scoring for the home side after nine minutes. Logan Wagener weaved around the Stingrays’ defence to put the Falcons on the board shortly after. Bailey Rice’s sweeping role contributed to Dandenong’s impressive transition from defence to attack, however their forwards lacked intensity and were sloppy. Roscoe managed to kick another goal before McCartney, Zdrybel and Holroyd concluded the term with consecutive goals for Geelong.

A noticeable intensity shift from the home side resulted in a goal each for Dipasquale, Roscoe and Polhoke to begin the second quarter. Dandenong’s forward pressure was immense and despite Tom Doedee’s desperation and best efforts, the ball sparsely left their forward half, but for a Charlie Farrell major midway through the term. Stoffels and Dalmau added their name to the scoresheet to give the Stingrays a 9 point lead at the main break.

Geelong were held to just two points in the third quarter. The away side had trouble hitting targets, with Dandenong making the most of the lost opportunity when the ball spilled to ground. Brandon White had a shaky start down back but worked himself into the game, combining well with Daniel Caprion to spur the Stingrays forward. While Polhoke, Cox and Caprion all kicked goals to extend the home side’s lead to 29 points, the highlight of the term was Cory Machaya’s massive screamer in the forward pocket which excited all in attendance.

The final term was a struggle for both sides as players grew tired. Dandenong ruckman Jayden Bubb played ruck for the majority of the day and accounted well for himself, a big effort considering he played on as many as three opponents. Captain Lachie Williams soccered a goal off the ground before Stoffels handed his side a 40 point lead. Mitchell Patten pegged one back for Geelong however the home side ran out convincing winners to the tune of 34 points.

Next week both sides travel to Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo for the Vic Country carnival where the Falcons meet Gippsland and Dandenong take on the Pioneers.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5 – Daniel Caprion (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Lachie Batten (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Brandon White (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Zak Roscoe (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Tom Doedee (Geelong Falcons)