Brandon Etherington and the Bulldogs weathered a late storm from Reardon McIvor and the Mounts to capture the reserves flag. Photos: Jordan Townrow
While it was a slow start for both sides in the Heathcote District Football League reserves grand final, it was late drama as North Bendigo scampered away to claim the big one at Strauch Reserve.
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It was a tight first quarter with North Bendigo getting on the board quickly before Mt Pleasant’s Jesse O’Connell answered off a set shot.
Mt Pleasant vice-captain Jacob Smith added another for his side soon after, but North Bendigo’s lightning-fast midfielders proved difficult to contain.
James Gledhill settles it.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Dogs added one more to finish the stanza, with the Mounts' four minor scores providing the difference.
North Bendigo snatched the lead back at the resumption of play, before Mt Pleasant levelled the playing field with a pair of behinds.
Jacob King with the slick handball under pressure from Jacob Smith.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Mounts got another one through the middle to keep it competitive, before a late onslaught by Brodie Thomson and Jack Mills gave the Dogs an eight-point lead at the main break.
North Bendigo broke the game open in the third term, nailing four maximums across the quarter, while Mt Pleasant floundered, slotting one major to trail by 23 with a consequential final frame on the horizon.
The Bulldogs celebrate winning the premiership.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
With all to play for, it was a last stand worthy of a grand final as Mt Pleasant found another gear, with Smith bombing a huge kick from outside 50 for a goal before Jaxson Nihill’s right foot snap moments later brought the margin to 11.
Nihill bagged another for the Mounts, but with the deficit now at less than a goal, Tyler Kinder gave the Dogs some breathing room.
Nic Swan and Jesse O'Connell go up for it.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Mt Pleasant wasn’t going to die wondering with another major, putting it within striking distance of stealing the game at the death.
Both sides lifted their intensity with time dwindling away, but, it was North Bendigo’s Brayden Oates proving to be the hero of the day with a missile from the wing sealing it for the Dogs.
Jaxson Nihill gets away from a diving Brayden Oates.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
While O’Connell sent another one through almost at the buzzer, it was too little too late as North Bendigo made the great escape to capture the reserves flag 11.4 (70) to 9.11 (65).
