The Metricon Bendigo Bombers produced a stunning turnaround when they defeated the Frankston Dolphins at the QEO on a perfect Saturday night.

 

Despite trailing by 40 points at half-time, Frankston produced a remarkable comeback to lead by 15 late in the final term.

 

But Bendigo kicked the last three goals of the game, including two to Jarrod Atkinson, to win a thriller by three points.

 

The game started off at a frantic pace, with both teams wanting to win the ball and applying pressure all over the ground.

 

Bendigo got the first goal of the game through Jason Johnson and that started a dominant period. With Laycock proving too strong in the ruck, Bendigo were pushing forward constantly and kept the pressure on the Dolphins.

 

Steven Stroobants got his first and Bendigo’s second, after more good work from Laycock. Nathan Meade put the Bombers further in front when he kicked truly after some good work from Stuart Crameri. And when Laycock produced some magic in the goal square to kick a major, Bendigo were up by 26 points at quarter time.

 

The second quarter started much like the first, with Bendigo controlling the game through the midfield. Grant Weekes scored his first after an easy mark in front of goal. Frankston were proving inaccurate in front of goal, and they were punished by Kyle Reimers who launched a big bomb from outside 50.

 

Justin Berry tried to lift Frankston when he kicked his side’s first goal midway through the quarter. But Bendigo wouldn’t budge, with Johnny Coghlan kicking a goal after a strong mark. Laycock flew over the pack and marked strongly, and kicked his second to put Bendigo further ahead.

 

The Bombers looked too tall up forward and were pressuring their opponents, and had a 40 point lead at half-time.

 

Frankston needed to lift their game if they wanted to have any chance of being competitive. They did more than that. Some good forward pressure by Michael Lourey gave the Dolphins the first goal of the half. Ex-Williamstown player Dean Limbach converted a goal after some good play through the corridor.

 

Sunddenly Bendigo looked flat, especially after Troy Dickson’s running goal, which made it three consecutive goals for the Dolphins. A dubious free-kick decision against the Bombers saw Lourey kick his second of the quarter. All the run was with Frankston and Berry kicked their 5^th goal in a row. Bendigo needed a goal from somewhere, and Bellchambers earnt a free-kick in a one-on-three contest, and kicked a steadier for the Bombers.

 

Dolphins Captain Shaun Pollard thrilled the crowd when he took a big specky over his own team mate. Rick Morris took a strong pack mark and kicked his first to cut the margin to single figures. Frankston were all over the Bombers in the midfield but were still wasteful at times, with Bendigo clinging onto a nine point lead at three quarter time.

 

The last quarter got physical, as both teams kept the pressure on. Leroy Jetta tried to set up attacks across half-back, but it was to no avail. Some lazy defending from the Bombers proved costly, as Berry kicked his third and made the margin just three points. When Clinton Proctor roved a goal close to goal, the Dolphins hit the front for the first time in the match. Bendigo couldn’t hit a target when going forward in a match which was turning into a tight struggle. Lourey extended Frankston's lead to nine, when he snapped around the corner. And when Aaron Murray kicked his first after a dubious 50m penalty, Frankston were in front by 15 points and looked home.

 

But the young Bombers shifted up about three gears, and started to play the football they played in the first half. Crameri gave the Bombers a glimmer of hope after he launched a big bomb from outside 50m. A mark and goal to Jarrod Atkinson then cut the margin to three points and insured that it would be a heart-stopping finish to the game. And when Atkinson roved the pack and ran in to kick his second, Bendigo were back in front and the crowd were on their feet. The intensity lifted as both teams were desperate for the footy. But in the end, Bendigo held on for a three point victory and their second win for the year.

Bendigo host Williamstown next Sunday afternoon at the QEO and will be looking to make it two wins in a row as they push for a spot in the top eight.

 

Bendigo 12.11.83

Frankston 11.14.83

 

Goalscorers:

 

Bendigo: Atkinson 2, Laycock 2, Crameri, reimers, Johnson, Meade, Stroobants, Weekes, Bellchambers, Coghlan

 

Frankston: Lourey, Berry, Murray, Dickson, Limbach, Proctor, Morris

 

Best players:

 

Bendigo: Laycock, Jetta, Reimers, Holmes, Pears, Crameri

 

Frankston: Marigliani, Lourey, Kennedy, Pollard, Winterton, Berry