THERE would be very few BFNL followers who would contest the assertion that Robert "Ninga" O'Connell rates as one of the best centre half-backs to have played locally.

In a career which spanned more than 250 games at two clubs he was an outstanding player.

He commanded the CHB spot like few other players before or since with sure judgment, great dash and extra safe hands.
Ninga was truly like the Rock of Gibraltar.

He played his junior footy at Eaglehawk in the Two Blues' under-13s and under-15s before moving to Golden Square to pull on the blue and gold jumper in the under-18 ranks.
The move wasn't as big a surprise as many people might think. Robert's dad had played at the Square and was a keen Bulldogs man.

Playing two seasons of under-18 footy in 1972 and 1973 he made it to the senior side and then racked up 111 senior games in six seasons with the Square.

These were truly ‘golden' years for Golden Square. The Bulldogs played off in five consecutive grand finals to notch flags in 1975, 1976 and 1979.

Needing a change and knowing plenty of people out at the Borough, Ninga made the switch to Eaglehawk in 1980.
He enjoyed instant success and was a member of the Two Blues' 1980 and 1982 premiership sides under playing coaches Denis Higgins and Phil Byrne, respectively.

He eventually took on the role of senior coach in 1985 which just happened to coincide with the phenomenal rise and rise of arch-rival Northern United.

FOR Ninga his first season as senior coach was ruined by injury. But he bounced back and regained his usual superlative form, leading his Hawks' charges to two grand finals against the Swallows in 1986 and 1987.

Unfortunately as Sandhurst had discovered in 1985, no other BFL club could compete with the vast array of talent United had acquired. Robert's sides went down in both seasons.
But reaching those two grand finals provided Ninga with some of his treasured memories.

Eaglehawk had to beat Sandhurst and Castlemaine in the 1986 and 1987 preliminary finals to reach the Big Dances against Northern United.

Both times the Two Blues got up, motivated by their core of one-eyed fans. Robert still remembers the QEO grandstand roof nearly coming off under pressure from the roars of encouragement from the Eaglehawk fans.

The 1987 grand final was special for Ninga for another reason. It was the occasion of his 250th senior game in effectively his final BFL season. Although he did pull on the boots again during his second stint as the Hawks senior coach, his body was not so willing.

From there he went out the Heathcote District League to play with Mount Pleasant and thus continue to exert a positive influence on local footy.

With the proud Eaglehawk club on its knees and in dire financial straits, Ninga returned to coach the club in the 1995 and 1996 seasons.

This was an emotionally draining time for the Two Blues and Ninga can lay claim to helping rebuild and re-shape the proud Borough club.

NINGA was always a tremendous advocate for inter-league footy.

He wore the famous Bendigo Blue and Gold colours on no fewer than 13 occasions and was captain during the 1986 and 1988 campaigns.

A few seasons earlier --- in 1983 - he had been paid the ultimate accolade by being named the VCFL centre half-back.
On the local scene, I'll always remember the times when Eaglehawk played Sandhurst during the BFL home-and-away season, and then into the finals series.

Ninga would play centre half-forward from time to time for the two Blues. That would mean a match-up with the Hurst's key defender Brendan Hartney.

Many's the time when the Monday Addy would feature the two star players going for a mark side by side. I'd say, looking back, the honours were shared between the pair.

And even when Robert was actually playing centre half-back for Eaglehawk, he must have sneaked down into the forward half.

Because when one or other of the Addy photographers came in on Sundays to show us what he (or she) had snapped at the QEO there would be the inevitable shot --- Hartney versus O'Connell in a marking duel.

It made for great action photos in the back page BFL wrap-up stories whenever the Hurst played the Two Blues at home.

ONE of Ninga's greatest accolades came in mid-2005 when the Eaglehawk Team of the Century, 1880-2005, was named. The selected team covered a century and a quarter of the proud Borough club's history.

Selection panel executive officer, Zack Harvey, had industriously burrowed through old newspaper files, particularly in Melbourne's public library.

So on our little panel of five or six, we had to assess the feats of players from the late 19th century and into the early years of the 20th century.

During that period BFL games were played on Wednesday afternoons. Then the best of the local talent caught the train down to Melbourne on Saturday mornings to play in the VFL for clubs such as Fitzroy, St Kilda, Collingwood and Carlton.

Those were just some of the clubs Eaglehawk players of the time represented.

Anyway, after all these meetings had been held and players assigned to various positions --- including a handful from the very early years of the 1900s --- Ninga O'Connell was named as the Team of the Century centre half-back.

Additionally, he was selected as the team captain with 1950s stalwart Basil Ashman the vice-captain.

On Saturday August 13th, 2005, the 125th anniversary gala dinner was held at the All Seasons.

The backline was the first group outlined to the packed auditorium. Up stepped Ninga and the other five members of the Two Blues' all-time defensive unit.

It was no surprise to see O'Connell as the CHB. He had made the position his own during a decade at the top level, establishing a standard of excellence that few other backmen have equalled.

After dinner the midfield group and forward line was announced.

The it was the turn of the followers and interchange players before Team of the Century coach John Ledwidge and team captain Ninga O'Connell were named.

The two stepped forward to thunderous applause to take out the top two positions for the evening.

Ledwidge had mentored the Hawks to premiership victories in 1968 and 1971 over South Bendigo and the Square, respectively.

The '71 Bulldogs posted the lowest ever BFL grand final score recorded to date: just 3.10 (28).
Robert O'Connell was inducted into the BFL Hall of Fame in October, 2010.

With thanks to the Hall of Fame selection committee and its executive officer, Darren Lewis.

Richard's tips for Round 13: South Bendigo by 11 points, Sandhurst by 37, Strathfieldsaye by 22, Maryborough by 40 and Gisborne by 51.
2012 season total: 47.

By Richard Jones

CASTLEMAINE finally proved it was back as a force in the BFL after downing Kyneton by 30 points in Round 12, 1972.

By the completion of 12 rounds 40 years ago, everyone had played each other twice and all had enjoyed two byes.
There was a seven-club structure in place.

The Magpies had started 1972 in disastrous fashion, losing their first five matches. Then a hat trick from Rounds 10 to 12 tumbled the Tigers into the cellar.

But Kyneton was still well in the race, Advertiser scribe Tim Habel asserted.

"Their home ground advantage is so strong that with coach Peter Wood back in the team soon, the Tigers will be very hard to down," he wrote.

The Maine had star full-forward Peter Lovell on the sidelines with an ankle injury so regular wingman-back pocket Lionel Learmonth filled in.

He booted just one major as Rod Printz, Ron Auchettl and Geoff Baxter chipped in with three apiece.

In other games, Eaglehawk downed South Bendigo by 14 points while Sandhurst accounted for Echuca by nine. Top team Square had the bye.

In his Monday Advertiser lead article, Habel pinned South's decline on one simple factor.

After losing its third game in four, Habel said the Bloods' trouble was simply that its star players had "suddenly all stopped glittering."

"Defender Barry Mulcair is in doubt for the rest of the season following a recurrence of his knee injury during the first quarter against Eaglehawk.

"That blow is bad enough. Add the form depreciation of coach Bernie McCarthy, assistant coach Jeff McCubbery, wingman Russell Evans and rover Ivan Dedini and South's problems are obvious," said Habel.

WHEN Top Fours were all the vogue in regional and rural leagues --- not to mention the then VFL --- only the top two finishers received the finals double chance.

Habel said Sandhurst was after South's second spot. The Maroons were one game, and percentage, adrift of South in third place.

The Hurst had unveiled a new star forward. Nineteen-year-old Joe Valli booted eight goals in his senior debut against Echuca.

He didn't get the three votes in the Conroy award in the Addy, though. Ruckman John Turner snared three with Echuca's Miller taking the two. Valli had to settle for one vote.

It was Magpies all the way in the Maine-Kyneton game. Centreman Charlie Oliver was awarded the three votes, the two went to centre half-back Kevin Shuttleworth while rover Frank Allen was awarded the one vote.

Castlemaine trailed by four points at the first change but had a narrow five-point lead by half-time: 7.6 to 6.7.
Then the Pies added 11 goals to six after the long break. Habel noted in the Advertiser the Maine's teamwork was capable of making short work of lumbering defences.

The Tigers wasted a lot of chances in the third term. A return of 2.7 left them eight points adrift of the Maine at three-quarter time.

But they levelled the scores early in the last term and his third goal from Richard Buckley helped Kyneton to a six-point led.

Then at the 15-minute point of the last term Castlemaine came alive. Four goals scored in eight minutes as rovers Frank Allen and Ken Patton ran riot handed the Maine the four, premiership points: 18.11 (119) to Kyneton's 12.17 (89).

EAGLEHAWK invented its own brand of football suicide at Canterbury Park against South Bendigo.

The goal-shy Hawks squandered what should have been a comfortable win with eight, successive behinds during the third quarter.

Instead of a four or five-goal advantage at three-quarter time, the home side held a mere four-point break.

Then the Hawks' charity ended. Four goals to two in the last term made the game safe for Eaglehawk: 13.18 (96) to South's 12.10 (82).

With key defender Russell Petherbridge unavailable until deep into the third term, Sandhurst led narrowly all day against Echuca.

Valli was dominant in attack and Turner, Kevin Sheehan and Brendan Keane were on top around the packs.

The Murray Bombers were within touch at each change. Eleven points was the margin at the long break and then 15 points at three quarter-time.

Dunne booted five goals for Echuca but Sandhurst prevailed: 13.17 (95) to Echuca's 12.14 (86).

THE ladder: Golden Square 44 premiership points, South Bendigo 40, Sandhurst 36, Eaglehawk 32.
Outside the Four: Echuca 24 (82.5 per cent), Castlemaine 24 (78.4%) and Kyneton 24 (78.1%).

AROUND the traps 40 years back, and White Hills was undefeated on 52 points atop the Golden City League ladder.

Maldon was three games behind (40 premiership points) in second spot. Then there was a big drop down to North Bendigo and Northern United, both on seven wins each from 13 games.

Outside the four came Flat, YCW, Provincial and Kennington.
The Hillies had beaten Kangaroo Flat by 11 goals while Provincial had accounted for Kennington by 15 points with Neville "Wrecker" Massina contributing five goals for Pros.
United got home over North by 26 points in a low-scorer where only 12 goals were kicked.

Roulston snared eight goals for Maldon as the Dons beat YCW: 12.11 (83) to 10.3 (63).

IN THE Loddon Valley League, Yarrawalla was on top courtesy of a two-point win over Inglewood: 7.16 (58) to 8.8 (56).
Newbridge went down to Calivil so lost a place in the four to Korong Vale which defeated Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
In the other game Bridgewater lost to Mitiamo by 6 points: 10.3 (63) to Miti's 10.9 (69).

AND just as happened in BFNL circles last month, Sandhurst was preparing for a big player reunion.

Flagless since 1949 the Maroons had a committee which included Bruce Reid, Ted Millard, Trevor Kennedy and Bob Lawrence. They were rounding up past stars.

It wasn't going to be as grand an occasion as the 150th gala reunion on the Queen's Birthday weekend this year, though. The 1972 reunion was set down for the Kel Pell Pavilion at the Barnard Street grass courts. Cost was just $3 per person.

Information accessed at research and history section, Goldfields Library, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
From stories in the Bendigo Advertisers of Thursday July 15, Saturday July 22 and Monday July 24th, 1972.

Richard's tips for Round 12: South Bendigo by 13 points, Gisborne by 45, Eaglehawk by 9, Kangaroo Flat by 30 and Golden Square by 51.
Progress tally: 43.

By Richard Jones

GISORNE moved up to third spot on the Bendigo Bank BFL ladder with a 109-point QEO demolition of Sandhurst in mid-winter 2008.

With Shane Davis, Ollie Messaoudi and Gareth Bowes controlling the midfield, Rodney Sharp rebounding from half-back and constantly running the lines and Richard White slotting five goals the Bulldogs were always in charge.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Dragons. They did manage to kick seven goals for the day while Sam "Specky" McGee completely shut down Gisborne's (and the BFL's) leading goalkicker in Jordan Barham.

Barham went on to win the 2008 Ron Best medal award with 75 majors.

At the QEO two seasons earlier, South Bendigo withstood a spirited challenge from Castlemaine to win its seventh game of the 2006 BFL season.

In a see-sawing contest full of momentum swings, the Bloods kicked the final four goals of the match to win 19.16 (130) to the Magpies 14.9 (93).

South playing coach Danny O'Bree showed why he was among the elite players in the BFL with a dominant final 40 minutes.
Having spent much of the match in the midfield O'Breen shifted himself down to the goalsquare midway through the third quarter. It proved to be a match-winning move.

O'Bree nailed five goals, including four in the final quarter, with his ability to win one-on-one marking contests a highlight.

The Magpies tried four players - Adam Culvenor, Chris Jardine, Aiden Millard and Alan McLennan - on him but none could curb O'Bree's influence in attack.

BUT back to 2008 and Gisborne's win: 23.20 (158) to Sandhurst's 7.7 (49).

Davis racked up 20 possessions by half-time, also booting a running goal from the scoreboard pocket at the city end. He constantly let the Dragons' on-ballers know where he was with his relentless body work.

If Davis missed anything, which wasn't much, the hard-running and slippery Bowes picked up as he broke attempted tackles.
Meantime Messaoudi bustled hard under the packs while Sharp was able to take running bounces as he swept down the swimming pool wing.

Big Jason Duff-Tytler who started the game on the bench kicked the Dogs' fourth first term major after the siren.
White booted two goals and hit one of the Barnard Street end goalposts with another shot after taking a ‘hanger' at centre half-forward in the opening term.

Nick Stagg posted the Dragons' only first quarter six-pointer while Lachlan Watts marked Jarrod Bateson's probing kick right on the point post line late in the second stanza.

Watts' banana kick scored Sandhurst's second major. By then, Gisborne had 12 goals on the board at the long break with skipper Anthony Belcher on target (he finished with four majors). White was up to four goals by half-time.

THE last half belonged to the Graveyard Dogs. They added 11.13 and even though the Hurst managed 5.4, Gisborne's players knew they had a finals double chance to play for.
In the third quarter playing coach Marcus Barham was involved in one of the plays-of-the-day.

He collected a city end kick-in on the scoreboard flank, handballed to the running Sharp whose three bounces, followed by a long bomb, found Messaoudi lurking in the Barnard Street end goalmouth.

Gisborne's hard-nut centreman coolly snapped the Dogs' 15th goal. It was a coast-to-coast Bulldogs move.

Sandhurst playing coach Kieran Nihill, who was extremely effective from his half-back flank, at the last change implored his charges to keep on working.

"They are older than us, more experienced and have bigger bodies. But keep on running and don't give up."
Gisborne, meantime, went on to add 7.7 as Shaun Comerford, Darren Farrugia, Bowes and Marcus Barham himself shared in the spoils.

Barham said after the game that bolstering the club's percentage had been the main aim.

"We knew no matter how things worked out at Eaglehawk by winning today we could grab third spot. Hopefully we can stay there over the next few weeks."

The coach was pleased with the form shown by three of his key players: Davis, Stewart Hamilton and Belcher. All had missed sizeable chunks of the 2008 season through injury.

"Anthony (Belcher) missed all of the first half of the season and didn't come into the side until the Castlemaine game (in round 10)," he said.

TWO years earlier at the same ground, the plucky young Castlemaine side refused to concede defeat.
Even with South booting the final three goals of the third stanza and seemingly impregnable with a 28-point buffer, the Maine had other ideas.

The Magpies rallied in the first 12 minutes of the concluding term to cut the margin to 10 points. Lively rover David Taylor booted two goals while Lachlan Brown and the talented Brock Bouch added one apiece.

Castlemaine's players seemed to have more run in their legs and they were winning more than an equal amount of contested ball.

But then the Bloods' simple game plan kicked in. It was just to get the pill, kick it long to O'Bree in the front half and he'd do the rest.

That strategy paid dividends as the coach snared three of the final four majors of the day. O'Bree virtually single-handedly ensured South's 37-point victory.
The signs looked ominous for the Pies early in the first quarter as South controlled the play.

But they wasted many opportunities kicking five, consecutive behinds before ruckman Leigh Rees --- playing against his old club - kicked the first of his two goals.

Then Castlemaine gradually worked its way back into contention after yet another slow start. Even when it seemed the Bloods would break away the Pies closed the gap to one point at half-time: 6.8 to South's 6.9.

IT WAS goal-for-goal for the opening 15 minutes of the third quarter. Then three quick goals to South --- all of which O'Bree had a hand in --- gave the Bloods what seemed to be a match-winning buffer at the final change.

South Bendigo had winners across every line. Marty Shadbolt played a fine game in attack, Rick Coburn was dominant through the midfield and slipped away to kick two majors, Linc Sullivan continually rebounded the ball from defence while Grant Tasca continued his impressive 2006 season either up forward or down back.

O'Bree was pleased with Leigh Rees' game. "To play against his best mates, it was really great to see how Reesy went about his footy," the Bloods coach said.
Magpie coach Ian Martin described his own game as "patchy" but the Maine midfielder was in his side's best.

Other good players for the Pies, who slipped out of the BFL Top Five with a 4-4 record, were defender Clint Aldridge, promising teenager Jarred James who had one of the BFL's premier defenders in James Flaherty moved onto him, and hard-working midfielder James O'Brien: the 2012 skipper.

O'Brien had his forehead and nose covered in tape after coming off in the opening stanza because of the blood rule.
"We had a good crack but we're still not quite good enough, are we?" Martin remarked.

South lost full-forward Luke Beattie (shoulder) in the third quarter while the Maine was without forward Adrian Conn (groin) and key defender Lachlan Maltby (hamstring) after half-time.

NORTH City (the Ballarat-based club) was winless in the 2006 BFL cellar after going down to Gisborne at the Graveyard: 36.25 (181) to 12.5 (77).

In just his second senior match Danny Klaaysen kicked 10 Gizzy goals while star flanker/on-baller Michael Dillon racked up 40 possessions and booted seven majors.

For the fourth, straight game Darren "Fudge" Farrugia nailed six, giving a haul of 23 majors to the three main Dogs' forwards.

Richard's tips for Round 11: Kangaroo Flat by 23, Gisborne by 9, Strathfieldsaye by 15, Castlemaine by 20 and South Bendigo by 35.
2012 season tally: 40.

By Richard Jones

SANDHURST'S fantastic 150th celebrations over the Queen's Birthday weekend brought many old memories flooding back.
Sure, I recalled fairly easily the memorable Maroons'/Dragons' grand final winning sides of 1978, 1983 and 2004.

The first two because they were decided by a kick, or less, and the most recent because ---- well, because, the victory was achieved in comparatively recent times.
Just eight years ago, although you have to admit those eight seasons have slipped by remarkably quickly.

There were many scores of former players at the Saturday night Gala Ball attended by 710 people if you don't mind.
And then many folks were there again on the Sunday when I officially opened the Hurst's memorabilia exhibition with, I hope, not too long a speech.

The punters had sat through a zillion speeches on the Saturday night. That was to be expected on such an auspicious occasion, naturally.

Some players hadn't aged at all. Gary "Scrubber" Allan from the late 70s flag-winning sides was instantly recognizable.

BUT premiership coach Peter Lenaghan, brother of Mick and Dennis: well that was a different story.
He'd shaved off his luxuriant beard ---- not sure which decade the clippers were brought out --- but I didn't feel so bad in the long run.

A few minutes later his Dad Frank, a 1950s Hurst coach, told me he'd walked right past Peter at a function one night when his son had been standing near the door.

"I didn't recognize him without the beard, either," Frank laughed.

Frank Lenaghan's story is, of course, a famous one. Now a member of the BFNL Hall OF Fame, he moved the few metres down the QEO from South Bendigo to Sandhurst in fairly acrimonious circumstances.

After being a key member of five South Bendigo 1950s premiership teams and racking up 176 games, Frank moved to the Hurst in 1958 as playing coach.

Wife Barbara and Frank gave me a bit of a rundown on what South had promised for him to stay on. But when it didn't come to fruition and the money they needed to improve their business wasn't available, Frank moved on.

He coached the Maroons in 1958-59 and remained as a player until the end of the 1962 season.

OF THE 20 inaugural Hurst Hall Of Fame inductees, I actually knew half of them.

Footballers who I'd seen such as four-time premiership player Noel Belsar, dual Michelsen Medalist Brendan Hartney, 1988 leading BFL goalkicker Danny Ellis (now a long serving committeeman and the 2011 Bendigo region's Administrator of the Year) and club games record-holder Matt Sexton (305 senior games).

Then there were administrators John Fawcett, the late Jim Robertson and Larry Williams. I'd dealt a lot with them on Thursday evening team selection nights, match days and at club functions.

And not forgetting behind-the-scenes workers such as property steward Don Armstrong, much-loved club trainer Max Healy and trainer and property steward Charlie Runnalls.
All of them characters in their own right.

So in 36 years of reporting, and commentating on, the BFL and now the BFNL I've seen a veritable parade of memorable Hurst people.

The story I loved most from the entire weekend devolved heavily on Sandhurst's traditional Catholic background, and support base.

It seems that at one stage a prominent Protestant --- Wally Hyett, no less --- was the club president and considerable benefactor.

When it came to the notice of the Catholic Diocesan office that the good Catholic boys of the Hurst were being led, and financially supported, by a Baptist a letter was fired off from the Bishop's office.

Sandhurst Football Club received a "please explain" from the Church powers-that-were at the time.

THE Sandhurst VFL/AFL All Stars side is:
Backs: Frank Roberts (St Kilda/Melbourne) 113 games; Geoff Southby (Carlton) 268 games; Michael Sexton (Carlton) 200 games.
Hb: Adam Selwood (West Coast) 160 games; Fred Swift (Richmond) 146 games); Peter Rohde (Carlton/Melbourne) 162 games, Western Bulldogs coach 2002-04.
Centres: Nick Dale Santo (St Kilda) 220 games; Brendan Edwards (Hawthorn) 109 games; Bert Edwards (Richmond) 121 games.
Hf: Frank Coghlan (St Kilda) 109 games; Bruce Reid (Footscray/Carlton) 119 games; Graham Arthur (Hawthorn) 237 games, Hawthorn coach 1964-65.
F: Kevin "Shifter" Sheehan (Geelong) 102 games; Mickey Crisp (Carlton) 183 games; Brian Walsh (Carlton/Essendon) 115 games.
Foll: Ray McHugh (St Kilda) 61 games; Joel Selwood (Geelong) 120 games; Trevor Keogh (Carlton) 208 games.
Inter: Vin English (Carlton) 115 games; Kevin Higgins (Geelong/Fitzroy) 153 games; Cyril Gambetta (St Kilda) 129 games; George Collard (Carlton/South Melbourne) 72 games.
THERE are 11 premiership players in that Hurst All Stars side.

With their premiership years, they are -- Joel Selwood (Geelong) three: 2007, 2009, and 2011. Geoff Southby (Carlton) two: 1972, 1979. Frank Roberts (St Kilda/Melbourne): two, Melbourne 1939, 1940.
Trevor Keogh (Carlton) two: 1972, 1979. Michael Sexton (Carlton) one: 1995. Adam Selwood (West Coast) one: 2006. Fred Swift (Richmond) one: 1967.
Brendan Edwards (Hawthorn) one: 1961. Graham Arthur (Hawthorn) one: 1961. Bert Edwards (Richmond) one: 1943. Mickey Crisp (Carlton) one: 1938.

I INTEND to save the last words from the memorable weekend to ‘Scrubber' as we recalled the final, desperate moments of the thrilling 1978 grand final.

"We'd got that last quarter goal at the Barnard Street end to go three points up.

"And then, as the ball was going back to the centre, the runner came out and said there was 1:20 (one minute twenty seconds) to go," he recalled.

‘Scrubber' Allan had been positioned as a loose man in defence, across half-back.

"Southcombe won the bounce and out of the corner of my eye I could see Besty roaring out of the goal square.
"Square must have got the kick out of the centre from Southcombe's tap, but then I saw a beautiful thing.

"Brendan Hartney came floating across the front of the pack. He took the relieving mark in the Rifle Brigade pocket, and we were home," said Scrubber, the delight still apparent in his eyes --- 34 years on.

Richard's selections for Round 10: Gisborne by 97 points, Golden Square by 45, Strathfieldsaye by 7, Maryborough by 16 and South Bendigo by 23.

2012 season total: 35.

By Richard Jones

NINE rounds into the 1982 season and Eaglehawk remained unbeaten on top of the Division 1 Bendigo Golden City Football League ladder.

There were two divisions in major league Bendigo footy 30 years ago, with Northern United leading the seven Division 2 contenders.

The June long weekend was a big one in 1982. The BGCFL's Division 2 team took on the Loddon Valley in a Saturday inter-league clash at Newbridge.

It marked the third time in as many years the two had met.
On the Sunday the three Division 1 matches were played --- Castlemaine had the bye --- along with the Provincial versus YCW Div. 2 fixture at Weeroona Oval.

And then on the holiday Monday the two remaining Division 2 games were held: White Hills v Marong and Northern United v Kennington-Strathdale.
North Bendigo had the bye.

Leading up to the busy weekend, the Advertiser reported some important team news in the Friday edition.

Key Sandhurst forward David Collins had been passed fit by the club's medical staff and selectors and was named in the side to play Golden Square in the match-of-the-round.

He was named at centre half-forward. Denis O'Connor was back in the Hurst side after a gallop with the Carlton reserves the previous weekend.

And after missing one week with a knee injury captain-coach Gary Crouch returned to the side.

In for the Square were champion wingman Peter Moroni and flanker Mark Blabey.

Durable defender Peter Rogerson had recovered from a shoulder niggle and was back in for Eaglehawk. Rogerson and forward John Scobie were the "ins" for the Hawks.
Kyneton had to replace suspended captain-coach Peter McRae and injured big man Bobby Beare, sidelined with a torn calf muscle.
Paul "Monk" Plowman and Neil Cahill, recruited from East Preston YCW, were the replacements.

Kangaroo Flat, the Tigers' opponents, were without Ken Chirgwin who had returned to Mildura with his employment, while wingman Jock Catto was named in the LVFL inter-league team.

The Roos were waiting on a clearance from South Bendigo for Peter Hunt.

AND after they'd trailed the BGCFL by 11 points at the last change, a final quarter burst of six goals sealed a great win for the Loddon Valley in the Saturday inter-league clash.
I went from chocolates to boiled lollies, after tipping in the Saturday paper that "a BGCFL winning margin of 10 goals would not be unexpected."

The Loddon Valley led by 14 points at the long break. Shane Dole, Korong Vale's Alan Jackson and Mick Murphy were the stars for the LVFL, coached by the late Russell Kent.

Bendigo's captain-coach Bill Burns was a hard worker for his team and he had no option than to move Tommy Devlin into the centre for the start of the third quarter.

Devlin had been an effective sweeper from half-back, but he was needed to spark a Bendigo revival.

He managed to get on top of LVFL skipper Ken Collins as Bendigo added 5.4 in the third quarter.

But as then Addy scribe John Forbes had predicted in the Saturday paper, Murphy and Jackson would be match-winners.

"Each week Murphy picks up more than half Calivil's goal-kicking total and with his exceptional ball sense and his ability as a goal sneak he will need to be watched closely," Forbes wrote.

Even though they'd had only two training runs together, compared with Bendigo's five, the LVFL stormed home.
Dole was too good for Greg Murrawood and then got on top of Wayne McCumber.
Murphy finished with six goals in a top performance as the LVFL left defeats in the previous two outings against the BGCFL Div. 2 side behind them.

TWO nail-biting finishes on the Sunday highlighted the Division One round of matches.

Trailing by five points at three-quarter-time Kyneton snuck home by one kick over Kangaroo Flat.

The Tigers' Pat McCarthy kicked what was to be the winning goal deep into the final term.

Roo Trevor Bennett had the chance to level the scores, and salvage two premiership points, when he lined up seconds before the final siren.

But his shot sailed wide, lurching out of bounds on the full, to leave the Roos a kick in arrears.

Rugged Robbie Griffiths landed six goals for the Flat. David Matassoni and Rose Foreman booted three majors apiece for the Tigers.

MEMORIES of the famous late 70s Square-Sandhurst clashes were re-kindled at Wade Street in the match-of-the-day.
Best known as a key defender Peter "Charger'' Davey played centre half-forward for the Bulldogs under coach Peter Crossley.

He soccered through a vital, last term six-pointer as the Square won by a single goal.

The Maroons started sluggishly, well behind on 1.2 to 7.2 at quarter-time.

They could never really make up the leeway even though Golden Square's lead was slashed to just nine points by the last change.

Later to win two Michelsens, two Brownlow Medals and a Norm Smith gong, Greg Williams was hampered by a foot injury he took into the game. But he also kicked a crucial final quarter major.
Gavin Exell was pivotal for the Hurst. He nailed six of his side's 14 goals while David Collins and Peter Rodhe landed two each.

Elusive half-forward Terry Blaufuhs (3) and tall forward Eric Pascoe (2) were Square's major goal-kickers, with big men John Williams and Alan Patterson the Dogs' best on the day.
EAGLEHAWK crushed South by 58 points at headquarters, with the Hawks' inaccuracy saving the Bloods from an even bigger hiding.

Eaglehawk had 9.14 on the board at half-time and landed just 19 goals from 41 scoring shots by the final siren.
Solidly-built South full-forward Brian McKenna nailed six of South's 11 goals. Denis Higgins (5), Steve McDougall (4) and spearhead Daryl Gilmore (3) were the Two Blues main scorers with key defender Robert "Ninga" O'Connell the outstanding player on the field.

IN THE Division 2 games, YCW full-forward Colin Grenfell snagged four-second quarter majors in four minutes on his way to a nine-goal haul against Provincial.
And that was just 24 hours after he'd played in the inter-league game at Newbridge.
Paul Kane, "Bunny" Wallace and big Glenn Mildren were other top players for the Eagles.
Even though Graeme Lyon nailed eight goals for Marong the Panthers went down to White Hills. Phil McCaw got five goals for the Hillies.
White Hills remained just outside the top four on percentage alone.
And Northern United consolidated top spot on the Div. 2 ladder with a crushing 56-point victory over Kennington.
Garry Mountjoy backed up from the inter-league fixture with five majors for the Swallows. He'd had a 48-hour rest!

ALL the scores from the mid-June round in 1982:
Loddon Valley 16.17 (113) def. BGCFL 13.16 (88); Eaglehawk 19.22 (136) def. South Bendigo 11.10 (76); Kyneton 13.17 (95) def. Kang. Flat 13.11 (89) and Golden Square 16.7 (103) def. Sandhurst 14.13 (97).

Div. 2: YCW 25.18 (168) def. Provincial 5.7 (37); White Hills 15.20 (110) def. Marong 13.14 (92) and Northern United 23.16 (154) def. Kennington-Strathdale 14.14 (98).

Accessed at Goldfields Library research and historical section, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
From the Advertisers of June 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th, 1982.

Richard's tips for split round 9 - June 9th: Golden Square by 39 points, Sandhurst by 18, Strathfieldsaye by 55.
June 16th: Eaglehawk by 21, South Bendigo by 8.

Progress total: 31.

By Richard Jones

IN MID-June 1985, sparkling Eaglehawk wingman Brendan Keane played his 300th senior BFL game.

He'd started with Wycheproof-Narraport in the North Central Football League, notching three seasons with the Demons. In 1969 he'd won the Feeny Medal making him a prime candidate for BFL recruitment officers.

Brendan had actually played 61 senior games with Wyche before turning out for the Two Blues in the 1970 season.

And he didn't reach 300 games, including four inter-league appearances, all with the Borough.

A breakdown of Brendan Keane's senior appearances included 182 for Eaglehawk (1970-71; 1978-85), 74 for Sandhurst (1972-75), 40 for North Bendigo (1976-77) and his four inter-league matches which included the 1972 country championship win for Bendigo.

Adding his 61 senior appearances with the NCFL's Demons by the June of 27 years ago, Brendan had notched up a staggering 361 games.

NOT surprisingly in his last season in the NCFL Brendan Keane won Wycheproof-Narraport's best and fairest as well as the 1969 Feeny Medal.

By the eighties he had played in 35 senior finals with premierships at Wyche (1967), Sandhurst (1973) and the 1980 and 1982 successes at Eaglehawk.

He maintains that his most memorable career match was the 1980 grand final where Eaglehawk hung on to beat Golden Square (by 2 points) and clinch their centenary premiership.
That play-off remains as one of the top three grand finals I've covered in my 36 seasons reporting on the BFL, now the BFNL.

Brendan had also played in the Hurst's runner-up sides of 1974 and 1975 and Eaglehawk's 1984 runner-up side which lost the flag to Northern United.

The 1984 blow was somewhat softened when Brendan was granted BFL life membership.

And to make sure his 300th match was a memorable one, third-last Eaglehawk downed South Bendigo, just above them on the ladder, in that 1985 weekend's split round.

I COVERED two matches that weekend for the Advertiser with Golden Square going down to North Bendigo in a reasonably high-scoring game on the Saturday.

Then in the Sunday clash at the Neale Street oval, second-placed Kangaroo Flat won an entertaining contest over Kennington-Strathdale by 27 points.

The Roos led at every change although the Saints, who had beaten Northern United a fortnight earlier, had reduced the margin to just five points by the last change: 8.7 to 8.12.
The difference between the two sides was Green and Whites full-forward Steve Mckerrow.

He booted 5.3 for the afternoon and was well supported by fellow Roos: Bernie White (three goals) and Paul McKay and Peter Hinck (two apiece).

The Kennington Saints shared the goal-scoring around. Leigh Hunt nailed three while Andrew Toll, Dale Petrie and Cameron Milnes garnered a pair each.

Out at Wade Street on the Saturday --- in the years before corporate naming rights for ovals -- sixth-placed North Bendigo leapfrogged Sandhurst to grab a spot in the Five.

The Atkins Street Dogs downed the Square by 50 points. North stitched up the win with a commanding first half, booting 13.9 to 7.7 with gun forward Leigh Beachley on target.

He finished the match with 5.1 while Lee Collinson and promoted Twos forward Leigh Paynter drilled three each. Captain-coach Wayne Walsh contributed two, along with centre half-forward Peter Hamilton and Ross Alford.  Despite Peter Moroni's six goals for Golden Square, North Bendigo won comfortably -- 22.15 (147) to Square's 13.19 (97).

Leigh Williams had booted 13 goals in the Square under-18s the previous week to earn top votes for his performance.

ON THE league scene executive officer Greg Hilson reported that star full-forward Ron Best had not completely given away competitive footy.

On the Monday before the BFL round of June 15-16, 1985 was played, Best lined up for Ararat against the Ballarat Diggers.

This was a match staged to re-enact one of footy's earliest known regional games.

Ararat won the match 10.12 (72) to Ballarat 3.7 (25). Best managed 3.3 and gave another two goals away. Hilson reported that Bendigo's other nominated representative, Northern United captain-coach Tony Southcombe, wisely decided against playing. Big Bluey had broken his jaw in the May 4th BFL match against Sandhurst.

The Ballarat side went into the match as hot favourites. Don Discher, Peter Tunbridge and Lee Murnane all turned out for the Diggers, but they were never given a look in. There were 40 players a side and with all players wearing uniforms similar to the original, 19th century attire, Hilson noted one intriguing rule.

This was that seven players per side were required to line up to contest boundary throw-ins. No doubt, a throwback to the rules and regulations in place for lineouts in rugby union, a formative influence on early Aussie Rules.

A RULE which had all players in difficulty was that a mark taken within 35 yards of goal required a place kick. "Even Besty struggled to come to terms with this ancient art of kicking goals," Hilson reported.

"Some of the methods used to overcome the difficulty proved quite comical. A place kick by Ballarat during the third quarter saw one of the players lying on the ground holding the ball vertically.

"His teammate thundered in and sunk the slipper into the pigskin. Only a point was registered, but a couple of fingers could quite easily have sailed through the goals," he wrote.
Despite all the shots at goal using the place kick only during the final quarter was it used successfully.

"An Ararat player kicked truly and even the opposition Ballarat players ran in to congratulate him, indicating the great spirit the match was played in," Hilson noted, in conclusion.

Richard's tips for Round 8: South Bendigo by 49 points, Sandhurst by 38, Golden Square by 11, Kangaroo Flat by 22 and Strathfieldsaye by 40.

2012 progress tally: 27.

By Richard Jones

BENDIGO¹S Blue and Gold representative team belted Goulburn Valley on the QEO in a 1993 inter-league semi-final.  With the 2012 representative fixture against Gippsland coming up next Saturday, let¹s have a look back 19 years.

The home side¹s talented group of running players blitzed the GV to orchestrate a 45-point thumping, and set up a Vic Health Country Championships grand final against old rival, Geelong. Vice-captain Derrick Filo was dominant in the QEO¹s soggy centre while Mt Pleasant captain-coach Peter White tagged the Valley¹s danger man, Dean Strauch, out of the game.

The GVFL had no fewer than six former Bendigo district stars in their line-up. Apart from ex-Square ball magnet Strauch, the Purples boasted Colbinabbin
champion Phillip 'Toot' Morgan, South Bendigo wingman David Griffin, North Bendigo ruckman Brendan Lowther, and two former Square teammates of Strauch: Michael Gallagher and Paul McConville.

Apart from Filo, the Blue and Golds¹ middle-sized brigade of Tony Kelly, Simon Jorgensen and Simon Green helped tear the lumbering GV side to shreds
after quarter-time. Goulburn Valley selectors made a fundamental mistake. They took too many big men into a wet weather game and the side didn¹t have the pace to match it with Bendigo¹s expansive list of midfielders.

AFTER the match Bendigo coach Peter Hinck said all his "middle-sized players" had worked hard. "The plan after quarter-time was for the on-ball players to lift. In those wet conditions you have to be first to the ball.

"Players cannot afford to sit over the ball in the wet. You have to knock it on, tap it on, get it out. Our commitment was there and we had a good build-up to this semi-final. Of course, the players always wanted to do well against former Bendigo footballers." Hinck added Peter White was given the tagging role on Dean Strauch. "In the end because Peter was playing so well, it came down to Dean tagging him. "Big David Cox did a commendable job in the ruck against Mick Gallagher while Derrick Filo was just tremendous," Hinck said.

Goulburn Valley coach Graeme Weatherley was a shattered man. "We never really ignited the spark. We had no teamwork and definitely no
system," he said. "The Bendigo on-ballers ate up our men and their team simply adapted to the conditions better. "They continually outplayed us when the pill was up for grabs. Our plan was to use the ball long and direct, but it seemed like a hot potato to our blokes.

"Rather than do the percentage things, I'd say our players elected to do the fancy things." Referring to the White-Strauch match-up Weatherley explained he'd sent a message out in the third quarter telling Strauch to tag Simon Jorgensen, thus dragging White with him. "But it didn't seem to work," the GVFL coach admitted, glumly.

BENDIGO 0.3 4.12 7.15 10.18 (78)

GOULBURN VALLEY 1.4 1.5 2.8 4.9 (33)

GOALS ­ Bendigo: P. White 2, S. Green 2, P. Curran 2, S. Jorgensen, D. Filo,
A. Kelly, T. St Clair. GVFL: C. Stuhldreier 3, B. Cooper.

BEST ­ Bendigo: D. Filo (best on ground), S. Jorgensen, P. White, D.
McMurray, S. Green, A. Kelly, M. Heritage, T. Tuohey, P. Curran. GVFL: I.
Boyd, R. Miller, P. McConville and S. Ash, G. Butts.
Umpires: G. Marshall (Bendigo), P. Quick (Wangaratta).
Awards --- BFL: P. White, S. Green, D. Filo, D. McMurray. To GVFL player: I.
Boyd.
GVFL presentations: I. Boyd, P. McConville. To a BFL player: D. Filo.
3CCC-FM award: D. Filo (Bendigo).

THE inter-league players were a tough breed in the early nineties. Many of them doubled up on the June long weekend 19 years back to play for their club sides. A day after he¹d played full-back on GV star spearhead Chris Stuhldreier and restricted him to three majors, Maryborough captain Geoff MacIlwain booted six goals for Maryborough.

The Magpies scored a comfortable 46-point win over Golden Square to consolidate second position on the BFL ladder. Admittedly the Bulldogs played most of the game without two inter-league representatives. Mark Heritage was replaced by Robert Stagg early in the second term.

Justin Esposito was a late withdrawal from the Square club side and didn¹t play at all. Nonetheless, MacIlwain was supreme in his on-ball role ranging all over Princes Park in the Sunday fixture. He was backed up by Steve Thomson (four goals), Gordon Sumner, Brendan Tranter and big Brendan Dix.

For the Bulldogs Peter ŒSnyder¹ Hunter and Millar booted four goals each.

ON THE holiday Monday South Bendigo hosted Castlemaine. Both clubs had five inter-league representatives in the Saturday game. Two key players hadn¹t made it onto the QEO for the Goulburn Valley clash. Bloods ruckman John Hill had been sidelined with a hamstring injury while Maine key forward Stuart Annand had contracted influenza. Derrick Filo, although carrying a shoulder injury from the Saturday game, was scheduled to play his 150th BFL senior match.

He'd won the Magpies' best and fairest award three times, was the 1991 Michelsen medallist and runner-up in 1988 and again in 1990.
And Filo had captained the Bendigo side to their first round Vic Health Country Championships win over Mid Murray at Swan Hill in May, '93.

In other Round 11 games that long weekend Northern United hosted Sandhurst, Kyneton was at home to Kennington while North Bendigo was preparing for a
must-win game at Atkins Street against Kangaroo Flat. Eaglehawk had the bye.

In the Heathcote DFL Stanhope and Rushworth were still member clubs 19 years back. Rushmore had beaten Huntly 11.11 to 10.9, but Stanhope lost to White
Hills: 5.5 to 15.13.

Information accessed from History and Research section, Goldfields Library,
Hargreaves Street Bendigo.
From the Bendigo Advertiser of Monday, June 14th, 1993.

Richard¹s tips for BFNL Round 7: Strathfieldsaye, Sandhurst, Gisborne,
Eaglehawk and Golden Square.

Season total: 23.

By Richard Jones

A Newstead boy through and through, Peter Fyffe came in to play major league football with Castlemaine while still a teenager.

It was 1969 and 17-year-old Fyffe played on permits with the Magpies.

He'd already played senior footy with Newstead at the age of 16 under Castlemaine legend John Williams and established a reputation for his performances, both at centre half-back and in the centre.

Peter actually signed on with Carlton as an 18-year-old and was to spend four seasons with the Blues before playing with Cooee in northern Tasmania in 1974.

Blues' powerbrokers had done a deal with Cooee to snare Greg Towns to Princes Park. Effectively they had traded Fyffe.

Peter remembers his Tassie stint as his worst year in footy. So he endured just the one season before returning to Victoria and taking a year away from football.

He realized it was vital to devote time to studies so he spent 1975 getting his academic career sorted before returning to the Camp Reserve in 1976.

Despite his reputation as a top defender, Peter played his early football in the BFL as a centreman or a centre half-forward.

There was the occasional game at centre half-back. Maine coach Malcolm Stevens realized what damage Peter's keen mind and competitive nature could do from the key defence position, so he moved him there.

And so Peter made the full-back spot his own. His uncompromising approach to defending his goal square and his fearless play stamped Fyffe as the league's premier full-back.

OVERALL, times were better for Castlemaine after some bleak and tough seasons and Fyffe's play from full-back was a critical factor in the Magpie resurgence.

His leadership through example made assuming the role as club captain a foregone conclusion. He held the role from 1978 until his final season at the Camp Reserve in 1982.

Unusually, Peter's two club best and fairest awards were won in his first and last seasons as skipper: in 1978 and in 1982.

Most pundits considered he was at the top of his game when he surprisingly retired at the conclusion of the '82 season.
Peter hung up the boots only briefly, though. Newly-appointed Northern United coach Tony "Bluey" Southcombe convinced him to continue playing, this time in the maroon and blue jumper of the Swallows.

Southcombe knew the value of a great defender --- someone who could get his fist to the ball regularly in goal square marking contests --- and he felt that Fyffe was critical to his team's make-up.

Fyffe did not let "Bluey" down. He had three more great years at full-back, walking away with two premiership medallions.

"I had a great time out there with United," Peter told me this week.

"Two flags came along, but on the Thursday night before the third grand final they won (in 1986) I tore a hammie and missed out on that one."

For Peter who had not been sidelined through injury all season it was a bitter blow.

He realized at that point it was time to hang the boots up for good.

He was a regular member of Bendigo's star-studded inter-league Blue and Gold teams through the seventies and early to mid-80s.

His calm and determined play in defence ensured he was always one of the first team members picked.

PETER and his wife Cherryl own Glenwillow Wines, based at Peter's old stamping ground --- Newstead.

"I'm virtually full-time at the vineyard. It's a tough game and we work really hard at it.

"It can be difficult to obtain regular sales so we have quite a bit of stock at Wine Bank in Bendigo's View Street,'' he told me this week.

And last year they added opal mining to their list of enterprises.

Their mine is close to the NSW town of White Cliffs. "It's midway between Broken Hill and Burke: about three hours drive from Broken Hill," Peter said.

"We go around four times a year to White Cliffs."
As I'd driven with my wife in March through Coober Pedy en route to Uluru and King's Canyon, Peter compared White Cliffs to the outback South Australian opal mining town we'd visited.

"It's very similar. A bit like a moonscape, just like Coober Pedy, but also with a welcoming, friendly community," he said.

Peter's wife Cherryl is a printmaker with her own gallery at Bendigo Pottery.

"She makes her own plates, and then prints patterns on the lino," Peter explained.

"A lot of Cherryl's work comes from sketches and drawings she makes during the time we spend up at White Cliffs," he explained.

Peter Fyffe was inducted into the BFNL's Hall Of Fame in October, 2010.

The previous year, in 2009, Peter's value as a footballer and leader at the Castlemaine Football Netball Club was recognized when he was announced as one of the 25 all-time Magpie legends.

That induction formed the core presentation of Castlemaine's 150th celebrations.

With thanks to the Hall Of Fame committee and its executive officer, Darren Lewis.

Richard's tips for Round 6: South Bendigo, Sandhurst, Kangaroo Flat, Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square.

2012 total: 20.

[correction: in last week's Reflections the name of key Rochester player Ray Willett appeared twice with an unnecessary "s". The surname of the 1962 Michelsen Medal winner is indeed Willett, without an "s".
The error was made by the writer.]

By Richard Jones

ROCHESTER sat atop the BFL ladder after five rounds had been completed in May, 1962. The Demons were expected to face a real challenge in the match-of-the-day as Castlemaine also hadn't lost a game going into the big clash 50 years ago.

But inspired by former Collingwood big man Ray Willetts the Demons went further ahead as the match progressed after an even first quarter.

Willetts repeatedly checked the Magpies when allowed to roam around loose on their forward line, the Advertiser scribe at the game reported.

The drought broke for Sandhurst with the Maroons notching their first win for the '62 season. The Maroons accounted for Eaglehawk at the QEO by six goals and dragged themselves off the bottom of the BFL ladder.

Although his side went down by 22 points to Golden Square, South's "cunning coach" Alan McDonald told the Advertiser man-at-the-game that his team had plenty of improvement.
"We are at the turn of the corner," McDonald said, in his own unique way.

"Many of my players are just beginning to realize that they can play football."

And Kyneton accounted for Echuca in the closest match of the round. The Tigers held a slight edge throughout and the newspaper scribe attributed the 15-point victory to "superior stamina and a stronger roving division."

The Murray Bombers were just five points down at three-quarter time, but Kyneton was able to boot three goals to two in a thrilling last quarter.

Podmore drove through four goals for the Tigers with Terry Bowe and Ken Peucker adding three each.

REPORTING on the QEO clash, Jim Elvey noted that Sandhurst were never under any great pressure from the Two Blues.
The match revealed that the Maroons were a much improved combination, Elvey said.

They went in for the ball harder whilst their teamwork and enthusiasm left the Hawks floundering.

"The only time that Eaglehawk looked like a side was in the first ten minutes of the first quarter when they slammed home two, quick goals before the Maroons realized the game was on," he wrote.

From then on it was just a question of by how much Sandhurst was going to win. They set about their task of gaining a big lead with purposeful football.

With Brian Sutton in dashing form at full-back for the Maroons, the Hawks found it very hard to kick goals.

By three-quarter time Sandhurst had gained a 40-point lead and their 12.12 to Eaglehawk's 5.11 with one quarter to play was an indication of the game to that stage.

Elvey said John Calverley gave Hawks' supporters some heart when he kicked two, quick goals early in the last term.
They made up some leeway but the Maroons fought back and gave the impression they could get a goal whenever they wanted to.

Kevin Keogh finished off a great game with his sixth goal for the Maroons after landing three of Sandhurst's five six-pointers in the opening term.

ROCHESTER opened up a match-winning lead in the second quarter with fast, systematic football, the Advertiser reported.
Castlemaine was right in the game early with Mal Stevens and Dickson booting goals.

Rochester managed to keep pace before a complete change came over the game in the second quarter when Broom booted two, quick goals to give the Demons a useful lead.

Willetts had a hand in the next three Rochy goals, as the Demons opened up a 30-point break by half-time.

The Magpies were goalless in the third term. Busy Rochester coach Con O'Toole and Graeme Taylor, quiet in the centre until this stage in his personal duel with Kevin Maple, both landed major scores.

Another seven six-pointers in the final term wrapped up the premiership points for the Demons.

Sandhurst 5.7 10.11 12.12 15.12 (102)
Eaglehawk 2.2 4.7 5.11 9.13 (67)

Kyneton 4.2 8.3 11.5 14.9 (93)
Echuca 3.4 7.4 10.6 12.6 (78)

Rochester 4.4 9.9 13.13 20.18 (138)
Castlemaine 4.2 5.3 5.6 9.7 (61)

Golden Square 4.0 8.1 10.5 15.10 (100)
South Bendigo 2.7 4.9 9.15 10.18 (78)

BEST afield votes --- Golden Square v South Bendigo: Golden Square half-back Brian Mallon was the outstanding player on the day. He was a sure defender who backed his judgment with success and on many occasions made openings from the half-back line which resulted in major scores.
His kicking was a delight to watch.

Rochester v Castlemaine: Ray Willett dominated the ruck and was an excellent defender. His marking and dashing style of play repeatedly earned the applause of the large crowd.

Kyneton v Echuca: Greg Toll of Echuca was the outstanding man on the ground. His ruckwork kept his side within reach of Kyneton and in the last quarter almost lifted the Murray Bombers to victory.

Sandhurst v Eaglehawk: Pat Burke gave Sandhurst many opportunities to score with his fine centre play.
Burke was pitted against strong opposition, but he acquitted himself well with grand positional play and with his disposal to teammates on the forward line.

IN THE Golden City League's main match Kennington scraped home by five points over Northern United: 12.13 to 12.8.
George Ilsley was playing as a centreman for United in 1962, but despite his efforts the Swallows trailed at half-time. Kangaroo Flat recorded their first win of the season with a seven-goal thumping of Harcourt while YCW accounted for North Bendigo by 45 points, with Pat McGrath nailing nine goals.

Merv Bull drilled three majors for North with the Bulldogs able to win a last quarter for the first time in the '62 season.

Provincial recorded 31 scoring shots on their way to a 34-point victory over Chewton: 12.19 (91) to 8.9 (57).

Even though Les McMurray (blistered heel) was one of the late withdrawals for Kennington, the Keets had a sure avenue to goal through Bill Ripper.

He landed seven of Kennington's 12 goals while at the other end of the park Kevin Murley bagged six for Northern United. Maurie Sharkey snared three.

From Bendigo Advertiser of May 21st, 1962: Research and historical section, Goldfields Library, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.

Richard's tips for Round 5: South Bendigo, Golden Square, Gisborne, Kangaroo Flat and Strathfieldsaye.
2012 running tally: 16.

By Richard Jones

Three years ago, some great games were played during the season. In reverse order, here's how the best were rated:-

10/. Round 12 - Flat 12.9 (81) def. Gisborne 8.8 (56).

Will be remembered down the years as the match in which Gissy's stunning 35-game winning streak at the Graveyard came to an end.
Clinging to its berth in the Top Five by percentage only, the Flat led by three points at half-time before booting 7.3 to 5.3 in the second half.
They thus became the first visiting team at Gardiner Reserve to leave with the four, premiership points since Golden Square achieved the feat in round 7, 2005.

9/. Round 11 - S'hurst 17.15 (117) def. Kang. Flat 15.17 (107).

The Dragons withstood a massive second half charge from the Roos at Fulton Hogan Oval to win their 6th game of 2009.
The Hurst led by no less than 44 points at half-time, before the Flat turned the game on its head in the second half. The home side slammed on 10 goals to four to fall just 10 points short.
The result left the Roos, Eaglehawk and Sandhurst all level on six wins and in a log jam between positions four and six on the BFL table.

8/. Round 8 - Gold. Square 13.13 (91) def. Kyneton 13.5 (83).

The Tigers produced a gallant team effort in a match which pitted the season's ultimate wooden spooners against the eventual premiers.
Down by 35 points at the first change, Kyneton surged back to push the Bulldogs all the way before finishing just eight points short.
At the time of their meeting at the Showgrounds, Square had a 7-1 win-loss record and a percentage of 145. The Tigers had a 1-7 record and a percentage of only 47.

7/. Round 9 - Castlemaine 16.4 (100) def. Gisborne 12.20 (92).

Second-placed Gisborne fought back from 19 points down at ¾ time at the Camp Reserve to lead by four points following a goal to wingman Tom May.
Four minutes remained in the match.
But the Magpies, winners of just one of their first eight games, responded by kicking the final two goals of the game through big forwards Steven Oliver and Jason Cordy.
It was the first time the Maine had beaten Gisborne anywhere since 2001.
The win had a sour note for the Magpies with forward Sean Smith suffering a horrific broken leg which forced the match to be halted for 25 minutes during the third quarter.

6/. Round 3 - Kyneton 11.10 (76) def Eaglehawk 10.8 (68).

The upset of the season. Bottom of the table in 2008 the Tigers upset reigning premiers the Two Blues at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Tigers prevailed over Eaglehawk for the first time since 2003, despite the fact they won just one of the three quarters on the scoreboard.

It would prove to be one of only two wins the Kyneton senior team would celebrate in seasons 2008-2009.

5/. Round 6 - Sandhurst 13.16 (94) def. Kyneton 13.15 (93).

With scores locked together at ninety-three apiece after a minor score kicked by Hurst coach Keiran Nihill, Dragons' youngster Braidy Dickens kicked a behind in the dying moments to snatch a thrilling one-point victory for his club at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

Only moments earlier Kyneton's Zack Boyer was denied a mark 30 metres out from goal which would have given him a chance to put the Tigers seven points up.

4/. Round 6 - Kang Flat 11.8 (74) def. Maryborough 10.11 (71).

After managing just one goal for an entire half of footy and trailing by 29 points at the main break, the Magpies produced a stunning comeback at Princes Park
Veteran Glenn Chadwick's goal in time-on of a see-sawing final term left Maryborough only four points adrift.
The Magpies then had one last chance in the final moments to steal a win.
But Luke Bucknall's 50 metre shot faded to the left and registered only a behind with the Roos hanging on to win a classic by three points.

3/. Round 4 - Gisborne 8.7 (55) def. Sandhurst 7.12 (54).

With Sandhurst leading by a point in a low-scoring affair on a Sunday afternoon at the QEO, Gisborne's Daniel Favaro marked 20 metres out at the Barnard Street end on a slight angle.
Only 51 seconds were left on the clock when Favaro calmly slotted the set shot to put the Graveyard Dogs ahead by one point.
But there was one last twist. Sandhurst's Nick Stagg was freed on the grandstand side wing with six seconds to go.
With the final play of the day Stagg passed to the leading Mark Fitzgerald. ‘Hoofa' marked 40 metres out on the rotunda flank (when there still was a rotunda there), city end, a split second after the siren.
The siren denied the Dragons' forward a chance to win the game - or at the very least tie it up, with a behind.

2/. Round 18 - K. Flat 17.17 (119) d. Maryboro 17.11 (113).

This was a classic under lights at Fulton Hogan Oval, the very last match in the BFNL's home and away season.
Billed under the banner of the Peter Holliday Tribute match and despite the constant rain and tricky night conditions 34 goals were scored in the shoot-out as the two sides jostled all match for supremacy.
The Roos' Cameron Carter kicked what proved to be the match-winner in the pulsating contest when he launched a 55 metre kick which carried for a goal.
The six-pointer put the Flat up by 12 points in time-on of the final term and even though the Pies scored one, last major it was too late.
It was eventual Western Bulldogs rookie Eddie Prato's first senior BFNL match for Maryborough.

1/. Round 5 - Gisborne 13.10 (88) d South Bendigo 11.16 (82).

The Bloods looked destined to become the first team in 33 games (remember, this was only round 5) to down the Bulldogs at the Graveyard --- the Gardiner Reserve.
South led Gisborne by 18 points at the 22-minute mark of the last term in the battle between the league's two remaining unbeaten teams.
However, over the last nine minutes of the game the Bulldogs showed their never-say die attitude to kick four, unanswered goals. They clinched a stunning victory in a match between the league's leaders at the time which lived up to all the pre-match hype.

The run of four, late goals was kick-started by Dogs captain Anthony Belcher before key forward Callan Potter slotted the final three --- the last of which followed a high-flying screamer 30 metres out.

The mark featured on Channel Nine's Footy Show: the Almost Footy Legends segment.

THE match where Castlemaine veteran Michael Blake announced his retirement came following the Round 10 fixture versus the Strathfieldsaye Storm.

It was the return game after the Storm had registered a sensational upset victory in their first senior BFNL outing, three seasons ago, back in round 1.

Castlemaine 21.14 (140) defeated. Strathfieldsaye 5.12 (42).

The previous night Blake had been inducted into Castlemaine's list of 25 All-Time Greats. He'd booted four Castlemaine goals in the first term against the Storm to help set up a huge win.
Magpie midfielder Brodie Culpitt nailed 7 goals in a best afield performance.

With thanks to Luke West and the Bendigo Advertiser team.

Tips for Round 4: Golden Square, Maryborough, Gisborne, Strathfieldsaye, Sandhurst.
2012 season total: 12.

By Richard Jones