From Bendigo Advertiser
Reported by Adam Bourke
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AT first glance a four-day break plus a star-studded Essendon team adds up to a lot of trouble for the Bendigo Gold.

Everything points towards a tough day for the Gold in the Good Friday clash at the QEO.

Gold coach Aussie Jones disagrees, saying the David versus Goliath nature of the contest brings out the best in his squad.

“The challenging week we’ve had coming off a short break has actually brought the team together,’’ Jones said.

“They know they have their backs against the wall, but they relish the challenge and enjoy trying to prove people wrong.

“Everyone knows the Gold will have a dip. The challenge for us this week is to maintain it.”

Reported by Luke D'Anello
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RELIEF was the buzzword sweeping Burbank Oval on Sunday after Williamstown recorded its first win as a stand-alone outfit since 1999.

After a tight opening, the Seagulls controlled western rival Footscray, claiming an emphatic 41-point victory, 15.8 (98) to 7.15 (57).

It was also the club’s first success under new coach Andrew Collins, following on from tight losses against reigning premier Box Hill Hawks and Northern Blues in the opening two rounds.

Collins conceded the Dogs’ foot skills were superior, but Williamstown erased that disadvantage with “constant pressure”.

Scott Clouston (four goals) and Anthony Anastasio (three) formed a potent combination in the forward 50m arc, while Adam Marcon was a standout in midfield.

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Reported by Conor Ryan
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FANS knew they would get their money’s worth from Sunday’s match between Box Hill and Sandringham.

Three times in the last four years these meetings have been decided by less than a kick.

On Sunday at Box Hill City Oval, it wasn’t decided at all.

The Hawks and Zebras had to settle for a split decision after a roller-coaster fourth quarter ended with scores tied.

It was an up-and-down sort of game, as both sides used the wind to full advantage in the first half.

Sandringham kicked away to a 41-point lead with a seven goal first term, but were probably wasteful as the racked up 15 scoring shots for the quarter.

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GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 18
(Dev League)Northern Blues 16-22(118) def Coburg Tigers 8-3(51)
Essendon 11-25(91) def Bendigo Gold 9-9(63)

EASTER SATURDAY APRIL 19
Collingwood vs Coburg Lions at Victoria Park 11am
Richmond vs Williamstown at Burbank Oval,Williamstown 12:15pm
(Development League Williamstown vs Sandringham starts at 9:20am)
Port Melbourne vs Werribee at Northport Oval 1:10pm(ABC1TV)
(Development League match starts at 10am)
North Ballarat vs Sandringham at Eureka Stadium 2pm
Geelong vs Box Hill Hawks at Simonds Stadium 6pm(3WBC)

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 20
Footscray vs Northern Blues at Whitten Oval 12pm
Frankston vs Casey Scorpions at Frankston Park 2pm(Casey Radio)
(Development League match starts at 11am)

Development League Bye: Box Hill Hawks

From CollingwoodFC.com.au
Reported by Sam Gastin and Luke Mason
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The trip to North Port Oval to take on the Borough must rank as one of the toughest in Australian football.

Port Melbourne has made the ground its fortress under Gary Ayres, winning 27 of its last 30 matches at the venue prior to the 2014 season.

While all involved expected a fierce contest, no one anticipated Collingwood would suffer its first loss of the VFL season to the tune of 53 points when the two clubs met on Saturday afternoon.

The Pies were shell-shocked by Port’s nine-goal onslaught in the opening term and battled for stability there on.

The result came as a surprise to most given the Magpies’ confident start to the new season, winning all four practice matches and holding out North Ballarat in the first round a fortnight ago.

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Reported by Brent Diamond
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Carlton's out-of-form forwards Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett were less than convincing in the VFL on Saturday, with just two goals between them in the Blues' last-gasp three-point win over Frankston at Visy Park.

With hopes of a return against the Western Bulldogs next Sunday, Waite finished with 2.3 from 12 disposals and five marks, while Garlett, who spent most of the match in the midfield, collected just 13 possessions, three marks and failed to register a score.

Although Blues VFL coach Luke Webster said he was largely impressed by the pair, they produced only glimpses of their best.

Waite's two majors - one in the second quarter from the boundary line and one in the final term from a snap in a pack - were freakish opportunist goals.

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