THE Bendigo Bank Bombers will enter their first VFL finals series since 2007 on the back of their heaviest loss of the season.
 
In Saturday’s final round of the season, the Bombers were belted by 88 points by Sandringham at Windy Hill.
 
The Zebras kicked 13 goals to one after half-time as they won 18.14 (122) to 4.10 (34).
 
With the defeat, the Bombers have ended the home and away season eighth on the ladder with a 10-8 record – which is 10 more victories than last year.
 
The Bombers’ opponent in this Sunday’s elimination final in Melbourne will be the fifth-placed Box Hill Hawks.
 
Box Hill is also coming off a heavy loss on Saturday after losing to Williamstown by 94 points.
 
 
However, while Box Hill was beaten by the top side, Bendigo was defeated by the side that finished ninth on the ladder and had won just six games before Saturday.
 
Sandringham – which had full-forward Nick Sautner kick seven goals – set its win up by making a strong start to the contest when it led 5.6 to 0.2 at quarter-time.
 
“We probably played well for 20 minutes in the second quarter, but apart from that we just didn’t work hard like we have been over the past month or so,’’ Bombers coach Shannon Grant said.
 
“It was disappointing, but hopefully, it was just one out of the box and I’m sure the boys can regroup and give it a real shake next week.’’
 
The Bombers’ side included 18 VFL-listed players in their 23.
 
All six of the Bombers’ players named in their best were non-Essendon players – Pierce Liddle, Michael James, Ben Duscher, first-gamer James Papalia, Bendigo Pioneers-listed Leigh Masters and Jacob Thompson.
 
This article appears thanks to the Bendigo Advertiser.
 
VFL FINALS - WEEK ONE
Box Hill v Bendigo Bombers
Elimination final
Sunday 29 August, 2.10pm
Box Hill City Oval