June 25, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers' inability to win a close game reared its ugly head again at the Queen Elizabeth Oval yesterday.
Going into the last term of their VFL clash with the Casey Scorpions, the scores were level at 47 apiece after an arm-wrestle for the first three quarters.
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers' inability to win a close game reared its ugly head again at the Queen Elizabeth Oval yesterday.
Going into the last term of their VFL clash with the Casey Scorpions, the scores were level at 47 apiece after an arm-wrestle for the first three quarters.
But the Bombers fell away in the final quarter when the game had to be won, losing 10.12 (72) to 8.8 (56) to end their three-game winning streak.
Bendigo's lack of ability to win games still up for grabs in the final quarter has been glaring since the start of the 2006 season.
Already this year, the Bombers have lost games to top sides Sandringham and Williamstown by seven points or less, which has cost them the chance to be pushing for a position in the all-important top four.
Instead, Bendigo is now sitting in ninth position on the ladder and with plenty of work still to do if it's to return to the finals.
Last year, the Bombers played in five games decided by less than a goal - and lost them all.
Yesterday, the Bombers led by 14 points at the 17-minute mark of the third quarter following consecutive goals to Tom Hislop and Aaron Connaughton.
The Scorpions, who went into the game with just two wins on the board, had hung tough for the first two-and-a-half quarters, but when the Bombers skipped out to the 7.5 (47) to 4.9 (33) lead, they looked ready to break the spirit of Casey and run away with the match.
However, the Scorpions hit back with the last two goals of the third term in time-on - to Alex Silvagni and full-back James Gwilt - to level the scores at the final change.
The Bombers kicked the first goal of the final quarter after Jason Cloke took a high-flying mark in the goalsquare at the eight-minute mark and converted his third.
However, it was the last goal the Bombers would kick as the Scorpions took control for the final 20 minutes with their hard running and better use of the ball when the heat was on.
The Scorpions' last four goals of the game were shared between 68 kg livewire Kyle Matthews and Ben Fraser, who kicked two each as they capitalised on the Bombers' lack of accountability and poor decision making.
To make matters worse for the Bombers, their reserves were beaten 19.7 (121) to 13.15 (93).
It was the first time the Casey Scorpions reserves had won a game this year.
Michael Dillon and Tim O'Keefe were the Bombers' best players.
