June 12, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers yesterday soared to a third consecutive victory when they thrashed the Box Hill Hawks by 62 points in their VFL clash at the QEO.
After trailing by five points at the midway mark of the third quarter, Bendigo dominated from there on.
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers yesterday soared to a third consecutive victory when they thrashed the Box Hill Hawks by 62 points in their VFL clash at the QEO.
After trailing by five points at the midway mark of the third quarter, Bendigo dominated from there on.
The hundreds of fans at the traditional Queen's Birthday holiday weekend clash included Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd.
On-field it was a spin out of a tackle by Bendigo captain Simon Rosa to snap a right-foot goal at the 17-minute mark of the third term that put the red and black back in front.
In a matter of minutes the lead was 21 points after Grant Weeks was on the end of a Chris Heffernan pass, Kepler Bradley was free in a marking contest.
A crucial target in the Bombers' attack, Bradley then passed to an unguarded Kyle Reimers in the goalsquare to complete the hat-trick of goals.
The Bombers' turnaround could be attributed to many factors, but one of the most telling was Lachlan McKinnon's tap-outs at the centre bounces.
Bombers' team-mates Ricky Dyson, Heffernan, Jay Nash, Sam Lonergan and Adam Ramanauskas continually put the ball inside the 50 m arc.
When Box Hill did go forward they often found Courtney Johns, Andrew Lee and Richard Cole in the way.
The Bombers led by 21 points at three-quarter time, but for fans the best was yet to come.
The pacy Leroy Jetta broke clear in midfield and passed to Reimers to goal.
Jason Cloke marked and goalled after another win in the centre.
Heath Hocking was on target from the paint of the 50 m arc and then snapped consecutive goals when on the end of a handpass from out of a pack.
It was all Bendigo as Dyson's kick bounced through.
Bradley's marking was a highlight of the Bombers' dominance.
Bendigo's run of 10 unanswered goals was broken when Richard Eva capitalised on great pressure in midfield.
Bradley showed remarkable athleticism to win the loose ball at centre half-forward and then pass to Reimers for another goal.
The teamwork of Aaron Connaughton and Cloke along the grandstand wing was capped by Dyson's second goal and Bendigo's 22nd of the contest.
After three consecutive victories the Bombers have climbed to sixth on the ladder.
