Bendigo Advertiser | FAIR to say Justin Dorward entered the Bendigo Football League under the radar.
While Castlemaine knew the quality player that was joining the club, most of the recruiting hype around the league surrounded the likes of Alik and Rhys Magin (Kyneton), David Gallagher and Kallen Geary (Strathfieldsaye), Ryan Herring (Golden Square) and Jeremy Lambden (Kangaroo Flat).
But eight rounds into his debut season with the Magpies, Dorward is anything but flying under the radar.
He’s already represented Bendigo in last month’s inter-league loss to Ballarat when he was one of the Blue and Gold's best players, and with 20 votes leads the Bendigo Advertiser-ParcelPass BFL Player of the Year Award.
Dorward, 32, joined Castlemaine this year from Spotswood, with his connection to the Magpies through coach Shane Robertson, who he had previously played under at Hepburn.
“Robbo sold the competition as being fair and even and a chance to come up and play some good country footy again,” Dorward said this week.
“And the club won a few games last year and was really looking to build towards something bigger and better.
“All the guys at the club are very young and it’s a very tightknit group with a really good following.”
The Magpies have already equalled their tally of three wins from last year, with Dorward playing a starring role in last week’s two-point victory over South Bendigo at the QEO.
Not only was the midfielder best on ground, but he also kicked the last two goals of the game to get the Magpies over the line.
“It had been five games since we last won, so it was great to get that feeling back around the place again,” Dorward said.
“The goal at the start of the year was to double the amount of wins of last season, so we’re right on track for that.”
As for earning an inter-league berth in his first BFL season, it was an experience Dorward relished - regardless of the 77-point loss.
“It was good to get to know a few of the opposition players and get some mates from other clubs,” said Dorward, who lost back-to-back Western Region Football League grand finals with Spotswood to Deer Park the past two years.
“It was a good bonding experience, but it was a tough day at the office... Ballarat was a very good side.”
Dorward’s brother-in-law is former Collingwood 76-game player Jason Cloke, who will line up for the Magpies in their round nine game against Golden Square at Camp Reserve on Saturday.
