Bendigo Advertiser | Golden Square remains the only undefeated team in the BFNL after handing Castlemaine a 62-point thumping on Saturday.
The trip to Castlemaine was seen as a potential tricky one for the Bulldogs after the Magpies scored a confidence-boosting win over Kyneton seven days prior.
While the Magpies had their moments, Golden Square’s class and multiple forward options proved too much for the home side to handle.
Key forwards Travis Baird and Ryan Herring kicked five goals each in Golden Square’s 21.17 (143) to 12.9 (81) win.
“We prepared really well through the week and we made sure we started the game well,’’ Golden Square coach Nick Carter said.
“We knew Castlemaine would hang around as long as they could, but we felt as though with our fitness we could run over the top of them.
“While there’s areas we still need to work on, It was good to get a 10-goal win.”
The Bulldogs only led Castlemaine by nine points at half-time, but the third quarter was one-way traffic as the visitors piled on eight goals to one.
The Magpies were more competitive on the scoreboard in the final term but the damage had been done.
“In the second quarter we made some mistakes with our zones and they were able to get a few goals over the back,’’ Carter said.
“Castlemaine can move the ball really quickly when they want to.
“We adjusted that in the third quarter and we started to make the most of our stoppage work.
“Our forwards worked the best they have all year.
“Trav Baird, Ryan Herring and big Dylan Johnstone worked really well together and we knew if we could get them enough quality ball they’d do the job for us.”
While the Magpies were left to lick their wounds, there were positives to take out of the game.
Their score 12.9 (81) was the highest tally kicked against Golden Square this year and key forwards Tallan Wright and Rhys Ford looked dangerous, kicking eight goals between them.
The ball just didn’t get inside 50 enough in the second half as Square dominated the contested possessions.
David Wilson played his best game of the year for the Pies, while James O’Brien and Jackson Hood have had solid starts to the season.
Midfielder Adam Baird was clearly his side’s best player. He dominated the clearances, kicked two goals and had a hand in several others.
Johnstone continued to cause plenty of headaches for opposition defenders, while talented youngster Regan Harvey kicked three goals in an encouraging performance.
