Bendigo has consolidated their spot in the top 8 with an 80 point win against Collingwood at Windy Hill as Anthony Cheyne reports. In the vital clash for both sides, it was the Bombers who came out full of running in the first quarter as they dominated the Pies kicking 9.7 to nil. The dominant first term saw the Bombers set up a match, leaving Collingwood a massive mountain to climb.
Bendigo where on top in the middle thanks to ruckman Tom Campbell giving first use of the ball to Andrew Welsh, Brent Prismall and Michael Quinn on a regular basis enabling Bendigo to pile on the goals early. When the ball did go into the Collingwood forward line it was strongly rebounded by Alex Browne and Tyson Slattery who were up and running early and well supported by Trent Shinners and Luke Davis in the back half.
In the forward half Matt Little kicked 3 goals and the speedy Alwyn Davey was dangerous around goal with 2 goals in what would have to be a record first quarter score for the Bombers.
The second term was a complete contradiction to the first as Collingwood piled on the goals and the Bombers struggled for rhythm. Kalem Post and Seamus McNamara started to win the hit outs and the Collingwood midfield began to fire. John McCarthy got on top in the middle and his hard running proved the difference as he also pushed forward to kick 2 goals. Tom Sundberg and Jye Bolton gave great support to McCarthy allowing to Pies to pump the ball forward and kick 5 goals before the Bombers got a look in. Brett Eddy nailed 2 goals for the term and captain Kris Pendlebury gave his side good drive from half back as the Pies closed to 24 points at one stage.
Bendigo managed a couple of goals late in the term to keep the lead at 31 points but it was clear they had a game on their hands and would have to work harder after the main break.
The third quarter started with both sides trading goals looking to gain an advantage and it was Bendigo going on with it unloading 6 goals straight to once again break the game wide open. Brent Prismall was well on top for the Bombers, Matt Little bagged another 3 to take his tally to 6 and the defence stood tall keeping Collingwood to 1 goal for the quarter. Despite over using the ball at times, Bendigo had their run back and stormed to a 70 point three quarter time lead.
The final term was an even affair, Collingwood had plenty of the ball but could buy a goal kicking 6 behinds before they landed a major but at this stage the Bombers had added another 4 goals to be well and truly safe. Collingwood rallied late with 3 goals but simply had no answers to the Bombers run and pressure for most of the game.
Matt Little finished the game with 7 goals in a return to his 2010 form , Brent Prismall overcame what would have been a major disappointment in missing Mondays big Anzac day clash with a dominant performance in the middle and he was well supported all day by Andrew Welsh and defenders Trent Shinners, Alex Browne and Ricky Dyson.
The win should give coach Shannon Grant plenty of pleasure heading into the bye as the Bombers are now well in the eight sitting in fourth spot, sporting a good percentage.
Bendigo 25.22.172 def Collingwood 13.14.92
Bendigo Goals: M Little 7, T Dickson 3, T Silverlock 3, A Davey 2, B Prismall 2, J Webster, J Jenkins, M Quinn, T Colyer, T Campbell, A Steinburg, R Dyson, J Neagle, T Slattery.
Bendigo best: M Little, R Dyson, B Prismall, A Welsh, M Ross, A Browne
Collingwood goals: J McCartney 3, B Eddy 3, J Celgar 2, J Bull 2, K Ugle, J Pernam, J Bolton
Collingwood best: J McCartney, T Goldsack, T Sunberg, K Bull, K Pendlebury, J Bolton.
Last Modified on 24/04/2011 19:54