On Saturday, the weather was keeping us guessing on the long drive to Chadstone, but as luck would have it, the rain held off until about 15 minutes after the end of the game.
Numbers for Bendigo were looking a little dire again, with 11 to start, while Chadstone asked if they could play an extra and so had 17. No matter the mix of players, 11 will always struggle against 17 (especially when we were reduced to bare 10 halfway through the game, when Will Kenny did his quad – I hope that quad is OK, by the way). We just have to get more cattle in the paddock on Saturdays, and at Thursday training, if we’re going to win games. The most frustrating part is that we’re not far off winning some of these games, but we just lack numbers and experience.
Anyway, the game began closely matched and in the first quarter Bendigo had a fair share of the play, but both sides had skills let them down in their respective forward lines. Chadstone scored once for the quarter and Bendigo scored through John Webb from a well-timed assist from Ty Griffin. Other than that, the first quarter was scrappy with no clear ascendency.
The second quarter saw Chadstone find their range and they slotted 5 goals, while Bendigo had many chances to score, but couldn’t find the back of the cage, despite being clear winners in the centre and being able to maintain plenty of possession. At half time the score stood at 6 to 1.
After the long break, the Chadstone forwards found the going tougher and the Warhawk backline held them to long shots and goalie, Gino Iuliano was comfortably able to stop most of them. Chaddy were only able to score one more in the third quarter, while Bendigo were frustrated with thwarted attacks and could not get on the scoresheet in that term.
In the final quarter, the Warhawks’ forward line and midfield felt the effects of having no bench and were only able to score once through Ty Griffin: a nice long-stick goal with the sun at his back, from an Alex Orr assist. The defence of Bendigo held characteristically strong to the end and Chadstone were only able to score twice, being denied the “run over the top of ‘em” finish that they might have expected from a tired opposition. Well done, lads for holding them off.
The final score was 9 -2.
Votes were awarded to Alex Orr (2 Association votes and 3 club) and we all held our breaths that his knee would hold out – it did. Gino Iuliano was awarded 2 club votes for a stellar performance in goals and good fighting out of them, and Mark Reader took the last club vote for his usual ability to turn their ball into our ball.
Well done to all who made the trip to Chadstone. Away games are tough to get Bendigo players to, and we know people have work commitments and so forth, but our new players, like Steve, Matt and Will are being forced to play entire games and play under pressure, when they should be being eased into games by having plenty of numbers on the bench and an opportunity to watch and learn to play alongside experienced players. If you’re a member of the club, you’re expected to play most of the games. We have a very winnable games coming up in coming weeks, and we need everyone there.
John Webb, Senior Player
Last Modified on 30/05/2016 09:51