MID-SEASON in 2010 South Bendigo ensured it would mark big man John Hardinge’s 200th game in style with a 199-point annihilation of Kyneton.

The Bloods feasted on 10-goal terms in the first and last quarters as they restricted the clawless Tigers to one goal for a day’s work.

Just as importantly the massive victory bolstered South’s percentage by 30.16 per cent as they prepared for the looming blockbuster against the Square in Round 11.
Looking back seven years and considering Kyneton’s re-emergence as a BFNL team to reckon with, in that 2010 fixture the Tigers’ club managed just five goals in total that Saturday against the Bloods: that’s five goals all-up from the senior, reserves and under-18 teams.
South notched 63 goals as they won their three games in the second half of the split round 10 by a combined 391 points.
With Steven Stroobants banging home eight South majors, Alex Galea five and Jackson Ireland four the Tigers’ sole senior goal came off the boot of Leigh Cook.
Cook notched his major in the final minute of the second quarter. Hardinge nailed two goals in his milestone game.
It was a challenging match to report on. I was there as the Addy’s man around-the-grounds.
What can you say --- I mean, write!

WELL, obviously, the South midfielders nearly kicked their boots off, they had so many possessions.
Aaron Connaughton (still going around for the Bloods as the skipper), Pascale Craig (now down at the other end of the QEO with the Hurst), current coach Brady Childs and grunt on-baller Daniel Anderson ran rampant.
In the front half Steve Stroobants was electric. Even though senior officials of the VFL-aligned Bendigo Bombers were concerned about the state of the QEO surface Stroobants and Kyneton on-baller Shane Page both played.
Page and Stroobants were Bombers’ players seven years back.
I heard plenty of not-too-complimentary comments about the Bombers’ stance re Stroobie and Page. And not just from supporters of the two competing clubs but from non-aligned footy followers, as well.
Hardinge started the match at full-forward at the city end. He booted two of South’s 10 first quarter goals in his 200th.
The big South player was involved mid-quarter in a hard physical clash with David Romer (still playing, and out at Eaglehawk last season) which left Hardinge winded.
But he regained his composure and booted both goals following the hard contact, the second coming after the quarter-time siren had sounded.
Kyneton did not land their first score of the day --- just a behind --- until the 12-minute mark of Term 2.

MARYBOROUGH took out the battle of the Pies in convincing fashion trouncing Castlemaine by a touch more than 10 goals at the Camp Reserve.
Nathan Dole reported on the game for the Addy and noted the Maine Magpies turned in a spirited first half.
Castlemaine were in a bit of a spiral seven seasons back, losing their first 10 games and accruing a percentage of just 49.
But the home side was within eight points of the Princes Park Pies early in the second half. But once the ball got inside Maryborough’s forward 50m arc Matthew Brown and Cam Rinaldi took over.
Brown finished the match with seven goals while Rinaldi added four more. They dominated marking contests inside the Borough’s inside 50.
Cole Roscholler was also important once the ball hit the ground in Maryborough’s attacking half. He scouted packs to nail two goals.
Down by seven goals at the last break the Maine fought back early in the last stanza.
They added 3.5 with their inaccuracy a telling factor in the final margin. Alex Code teamed with Jeff McMurtrie for a Maine major but the Princes Park Pies added 7.3 as best afield Joel Malone kept driving his side forward.
Coach Shane Fisher said Malone’s play, particularly in the first half, had been outstanding.
“We were outplayed a fair bit in that first half but Joel’s consistency meant we were able to be in front at half-time,” he said.
“He’s such a fierce competitor and his example meant that a lot of his teammates lifted their play in the second half.”
Fisher added the Pies had to focus next on fourth-placed Sandhurst --- just above them on the ladder --- and put the Castlemaine result in the memory bank.

LUKE West reported on Golden Square’s annihilation of Kangaroo Flat by 141 points at Country Vet (or MyJet’s Wade Street) Oval.
The Dogs were heading towards the second of their five consecutive flags but no one knew that back in winter 2010.
But what we did know is that they recorded their 20th win in succession, a streak which reached back to round 12 in 2009.
Final scores, second half split Round 10: South Bendigo 31.26 (212) def. Kyneton 1.7 (13), Golden Square 29.21 (196) def. Kang. Flat 7.12 (54) and Maryborough 17.16 (118) def. C’maine 7.13 (55).
Results from the previous Saturday: Eaglehawk 19.15 (129) def. Gisborne 15.6 (96) and Sandhurst 22.17 (149) def. S’saye 14.12 (96).
Top Five: Golden Square 10-0 40 prem. points; South Bendigo 9-1 36; Eaglehawk 8-2 32; Sandhurst 6-4 24 120%; Maryborough 6-4 24, 105%.
Leading goalkickers: Grant Weeks (GS) 11, 88; Justin Maddern (KF) 3, 58; Jimmy Condos (Kyneton, out injured) 0, 47; Matt Gretgrix (Eh) 6, 46 and Matthew Brown (Mrb) 7, 34.
Advertiser Player of the Year leaderboard: Grant Weeks (GS) 32 votes, Ben Deuscher (Sh), 26, Nathan Bell (GS) 20, Troy Coates (Eh) 19, Casey Summerfield (Gis) and Blair Holmes (Sh) both on 19 and Josh Bowe (Eh) 16.
This award has slipped off the radar in recent seasons. These days the Addy sports writers are flat out on Sunday nights collating stories, match details including goalkickers, best players and ladders from five local central Victorian leagues, along with Pioneers and women’s footy results.
It’s a big ask from a sorely depleted array of journalists.

BRIDGEWATER took a two clear game hold on top spot in the Loddon Valley following an 11-goal second half blitz of Pyramid Hill.
In the clash of the LVFL’s first and second-placed clubs the Bulldogs led by 11 points at half-time. Then the Mean Machine roared home to win 15.10 (100) to 13.7 (85).
In other matches Ryan Haythorpe booted 13 goals as Mitiamo belted Marong by 140 points at Malone Park.
On the back of Haythorpe’s baker’s dozen the Superoos won 29.21 (195) to 8.7 (55). Miti moved back to second on the LVFL ladder.
Other games: Inglewood won its third game in four outings defeating Newbridge 16.11 (107) to 9.15 (69) and even though winless Bears Lagoon-Serpentine were within 18 points of Calivil United at the last change the Demons went on to win by 40: 13.16 (94) to Bears 8.6 (54).
Richard’s tips BFNL Rd. 8: Eaglehawk, Gisborne, Sandhurst, Kyneton and South Bendigo.

By Richard Jones