Rookie Ben Jolley continued his push for elevation to the Essendon senior list with another impressive performance for Bendigo on the weekend. Jolley had 24 possessions and gave away two goals but it wasn’t enough to get his team over the line – Bendigo going down to Frankston by five points.

Bendigo went into the final quarter trailing by 14 points but its five last quarter goals weren’t enough to get them over the line. Bendigo is now two games out of the final eight with two wins and six losses from its eight games.

Statistically Bendigo should have won the game. It had 10 more disposals, nine more marks and went inside 50m on eight more occasions than Frankston. It turned the ball over less and was more effective around stoppages. They are numbers that will have frustrated coach Matthew Knights along with the fact his team gave away 22 free kicks as opposed to Frankston’s 11.

Jolley worked tirelessly in the midfield for the Bombers laying 17 tackles for the game and also effecting five shepherds to underline his team-orientated attitude. It is the sort of performance that will have again caught the eye of selectors who may have a defensive midfield role in mind for him.

Sam Lonergan (16 possessions and three goals) and Andrew Lee (17 possessions) also continue to improve and their chance at senior level could be just around the corner.

Jason Johnson was solid in his second game for Bendigo, again topping the possession tally and kicking a goal. Matthew Firman and Heath Hocking also won plenty of the ball in the midfield.

Jay Neagle had his best game for the Club across half back, playing 70% of the game. His closing speed and size might yet see him make it as a key defender. 

Joel Reynolds played full forward for Bendigo, collected 18 possessions and kicked five goals in a polished performance. Courtenay Dempsey was relatively quiet in his return to Bendigo getting 13 possessions. Paddy Ryder did not play at all on the weekend because of hamstring tightness.

Bendigo statistics

J. Johnson 14 kicks, 13 handballs, 5 marks
B. Jolley 10, 14, 5
M. Firman 10, 10, 5
H. Hocking 14, 4, 3
A. Lucy 14, 4, 4
J. Reynolds 14, 4, 8
S. Rosa 13, 5, 4
A. Lee 7, 10, 3
S. Lonergan 10, 6, 7
N. Carter 10, 5, 7
J. Doering 10, 5, 4
J. Blumfield 10, 4, 5
T. Cartledge 6, 7, 3
C. Dempsey 9, 4, 3
K. Pendlebury 9, 1, 7
J. Bowe 4, 4, 2
J. Neagle 6, 2, 2
C. Beasy 5, 2, 3
B. Childs 6, 1, 1
A. Connaughton 5, 2, 0
M. Vigus 5, 2, 3
G. Bowles 2, 1, 1