August 20, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter
ESSENDON'S axed trio David Hille, Damien Peverill and Jobe Watson were all prominent in the Bendigo Bombers' fighting seven-point win over Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields yesterday.
Reported by Geoff Poulter
ESSENDON'S axed trio David Hille, Damien Peverill and Jobe Watson were all prominent in the Bendigo Bombers' fighting seven-point win over Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields yesterday.
Bendigo, emerging as a premiership threat after a slow start to the season, clinched a place in the final eight but lost Adam Ramanauskas (back) in the opening minutes and Courtney Johns in the second quarter.
"Hille really started the game well. His centre-bounce work was outstanding," Bendigo coach Matthew Knights said.
"Late in the game he had some important touches, even in general play, and assisted us.
"Peverill was just a tireless worker all day.
"Watson was a solid contributor even though he had difficulty. He was carrying a leg virtually all day, after the first 10 to 15 minutes, an aggravation. He got a knock and was favouring his leg.
"Ramanauskas hurt his back in the first three minutes and didn't play for the rest of the day.
"Johns injured his knee 10 minutes into the second quarter and played only 20 minutes after that.
"Full credit to the players who have really knuckled down. It is a significant effort seeing we were 1-5 at the start of the season, to claw our way back.
"Some teams at this time of the year seem to feel the pinch a bit but the group is getting stronger by the week, rather than the other way around."
Sandringham remains two games clear on top with one round left after a 63-point win against North Ballarat at Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.
Sandy coach Mark Williams said his players were tested early but responded well to kick 15.16 to 3.11 after quarter-time.
"We imposed ourselves on the game in the second quarter, physically. The intensity went up and the pressure went up, we started to hit some targets," he said.
Williams praised defender Chris Lamb and onballer Shane Valenti.
Frankston fell out of the finals race when it drew at home yesterday with the Box Hill Hawks.
"We were peppering the goal and we had enough chances to put the game away," Frankston coach Brett Lovett said. "With 29 shots to 19 we should have been able to win."
Frankston had 14 players on its injured list. Youngster Beau Dowler kicked seven goals for Box Hill.
Forward Jay Schulz kicked nine of the Coburg Tigers' 24 goals in their 63-point win over Tasmania in Launceston yesterday.
Geelong and Williamstown consolidated top-four berths with big wins against Werribee and Port Melbourne on Saturday.
