Big V Premier B-Division 3 beats brave Bendigo

The VAFA’s Big V Premier B-Division 3 team found itself under intense pressure as it fought to hang on – and ultimately see off – a spirited Bendigo FNL line-up at Elsternwick Park.

The Vics had the better of the early stages in beautiful conditions, booting 3.4 to 1.2 to hold a 14-point advantage at the first change, with their big-bodied ruck combination of Jack Sheridan and Callum Heath challenging athletic Bendigo big man Caleb Ernst.

“We started really well with our pressure and moving the ball quickly from stoppage or turnovers through the likes of Alex Emery, Riley Virtue and Christian Algeri,” said Big V coach, Luke Mahoney.

“Our last kick Inside 50 let us down a little – either too wide or shallow and we probably didn’t capitalise as much as we should have.

“Sam Kieseker was providing a nice target forward, having a couple of shots on goal. Bendigo’s backs were playing well but a couple of late goals gave us a good buffer into the quarter-time break.”

But the visitors responded in the second term, lifting their intensity and increasing their share of territory.

“Bendigo started to get as much territory as us in the second quarter. Our backs were defending well with intercepts or spoils, particularly from our captain Callum Linehan,” said Mahoney.

However, the Big V’s efficiency up forward saw the hosts add 3.3 to 1.4 and extend their lead to 25 points at the major break.

“We continued to surge when we could and there were some brilliant passages of play through the midfield via quick hands that ended with some classy finishing from Oskar Manton and Liam Conway. Then a late goal to Archie Loughnan gave us a handy lead at half-time.”

Bendigo were showing plenty of fighting spirit and the game felt a lot closer than the scoreboard suggested – Mahoney’s half-time message reflected that.

“We knew they would come, so we had to be prepared for that and put the foot down ourselves,” he said.

Two early goals from Callum Heath and Archie Loughnan saw the Vics get out to a 6-goal lead, before the visitors rallied superbly, counter-attacking to shift momentum back their way.

“Bendigo started to come back at us with fast movement that caught us on the hop,” said Mahoney. “Three consecutive goals cut the margin and gave them confidence to continue with their approach.

“They became dominant around stoppage and our backs were suddenly under siege.”

The next ten minutes saw Bendigo pepper the goals but they failed to capitalise on their dominance in general play, only adding 4 behinds.

So when Nathan Scollo – who had been shifted forward – nailed a booming set shot to extend the Big V’s margin back out to 24 points at the 23-minute mark of the third term, local fans breathed a sigh of relief.

However, this plucky Bendigo outfit was far from deterred, responding with 2 goals in 2 minutes to slash their deficit to just 2 straight kicks at the last change and the tension around Elsternwick Park rose again.

The midfield battle hung in the balance and the Big V’s on-ball brigade rose to the challenge early in the last term.

“Our rucks and mids wrestled back stoppage control and Jack Sheridan was providing great service to the likes of Christos Manoussakis,” said Mahoney.

The two teams exchanged goals early before Old Geelong’s Michael Nicholls delivered a critical major for the Big V at the 15-minute mark. Outnumbered, he found his boot for a crucial snap that extended the margin back out to 21 points.

Then Christian Algeri made it 2 goals in 2 minutes with a snap from the goalsquare that surely put the result beyond doubt with the Big V now leading by 27 points approaching time-on.

But someone forgot to tell Bendigo, who simply refused to give in and a couple of long-range goals kept their hope alive – the margin back to 14 points at the 25-minute mark.

However, the damage was done and the Big V managed to control possession until the final siren sounded, much to the relief of the Big V fans after a fantastic four-quarter contest that did justice to the spirit and commitment of Representative football.

“Our start was the key in the end,” said Mahoney. “We led by 14 at quarter-time and ultimately won by 13.

“Both teams had significant momentum at times and that provide a great contest between offence and defence. I was really pleased with our ball movement – at times, it was impressive to watch.

“There were contributions from all of our 22 but I thought Alex Emery, Riley Virtue and Cal Linehan had consistent four-quarter games. Sheridan and Heath worked well together as a ruck duo and our high backs Tom Filipovic and Josh Cowan provided plenty of drive.

“The boys had to dig deep in the last quarter and they showed that wearing the Big V meant something to each and every one of them.”

VAFA                                  3.4          6.7          9.10       12.13 (85)
BENDIGO FNL                  1.2          2.6          7.10       10.12 (72)

BEST
VAFA: Emery, Linehan, Virtue, Cowan, Sheridan

Saturday July 6, 2004 at Elsternwick Park

Watch the Full Match Replay >