Bendigo Advertiser |
NATHAN Dole declares this year's Bendigo Football Netball League season to have been one of the most memorable.
STRATHFIELDSAYE's victory in Saturday's grand final capped what was a memorable season for Storm and across the Bendigo Football Netball League.
There were many highs throughout the 2014 campaign for all 10 clubs on the football oval and netball court.
Storm lived up to all the pre-season hype by being beaten just once on its way to capturing the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup for the first time time.
A powerful attack, versatile midfield and strong defence are the platforms on which success is built.
Storm had those areas covered better than all rivals.
Runner-up the previous September, Storm turned the disappointment of that loss into a driving force across the taxing workouts in summer and then throughout the season.
There were 22 players who earned a cherished premiership medal on Saturday, but many more played their part, on and off the field in Storm's success.
Sandhurst's feat to reach and contest the grand final was remarkable.
In his first-year coaching the Dragons, Brett Fitzpatrick brought a greater focus on defensive play.
There was still plenty of attacking flair in Sandhurst's play.
The pace and skill of Codie Price, Harry O'Meara and Mitch Dole was always exciting to watch as No.1 ruckman Tim Martin continued to dominate many contests on his way to back-to-back Michelsen medal wins as the BFNL's best and fairest player.
Gisborne's young stars kept on shining week after week.
The Rod Sharp-coached Bulldogs fell less than a kick from qualifying for the grand final in what was one of the best preliminary finals in league history.
Golden Square's reign as "top dog" has ended, but the Nick Carter-coached Bulldogs showed plenty of fight in a year where injuries tested the club's depth.
A joint runner-up for the Michelsen Medal, Corey Jones brought the nous and skill from more than 150 games with North Melbourne to be a brilliant leader in his first yeat with the blue and gold.
Eaglehawk's final-round victory against Sandhurst clinched an elimination final berth.
A week later and the Hawks' first quarter was one of the most exhilirating any team had put together this year.
One of the greatest success stories of the season was Kangaroo Flat's resurgence.
The Roos marked their 150th year by finishing sixth. It was only in the final round that the Roos were knocked out of the top five.
Maryborough and Kyneton also showed a lot of promising signs, especially in matches at home.
It was great to see the yellow and black of Kyneton back in senior footy.
For Castlemaine and South Bendigo there's a lot work to do, but they only have to look at Kangaroo Flat to see a rise can happen and quickly.