The Bendigo Bombers travelled to Frankston Park on Sunday to battle it out with the Frankston Dolphins in what was always going to be a must win game.
Both sides were winless heading into the clash and were desperate to secure their first victory of the season.
The Bombers came out with a spring in their step and the first quarter was their best start to a game this year.
Brilliant play from Tom Bellchambers in the ruck and then Michael Quinn, who cleared it out, set up Leroy Jetta for the first goal of the game.
Jay Neagle did all the work for the second goal, taking a dazzling mark and then sending it straight through the goal posts with a beautiful kick from just inside 50.
Both sides were attacking the ball ferociously, which meant there were plenty of turnovers around the ground. Bendigo’s momentum seemed to fade after David Myers and Tyson Slattery gave away two free kicks, and the Dolphins hit back kicking three goals in five minutes.
Quinn kept the Bombers in the quarter, reading the play at the back of a pack and finding space to run in and kick the Bombers' third goal of the game.
The end of the first quarter saw Bendigo 3.5 (23) trailing Frankston 4.2 (26).
The second quarter saw the Bombers really take a hold of the game. Both Jarrod Atkinson and Quinn were dominating across the ground, racking up possessions and using the ball effectively at the stoppages. Quinn’s efforts were rewarded when he slotted his second goal early in the quarter.
Neagle continued to be strong up forward, taking another courageous mark and following up with his second major of the game. Darcy Daniher also applied great pressure up, pushing up into the forward 50, earning a set shot from a free and kicked truly.
Quinn again showed some skill with a great goal from outside 50 on the boundary line. Jack Redpath was the next Bomber to get score, and then Neagle and Hurley combined to allow Damon Byrne to kick one too.
Bendigo’s pressure in defence was brilliant, with both teams getting eight shots for the quarter, and the Dolphins only converting two of them.
Half time saw Bendigo 10.6 (66) leading Frankston 6.8 (44).
The signs were good for the Bombers with a 22-point lead heading into the third quarter however the side seemed to lose the momentum they had earlier in the game. Neagle and Hurley both had opportunities but failed to convert and Myers cost the Bombers another goal.
Jetta, Paul Scanlon and Jay Nash all provided run through the midfield, getting the ball into Bendigo’s forward 50, 14 times, but the side found it hard to hit targets up forward as the Frankston defence seemed to tighten.
Holmes and Hurley both gave away 50 metre penalties as the cracks started to show. Slattery provided Bendigo's only goal for the quarter after the Dolphins kicked five straight and took the lead.
Bendigo 11.10 (76) now trailing Frankston 12.10 (82).
Desperation was beginning to show throughout the Bendigo side as they saw the possibility of a win slipping away from them.
Atkinson, David Zaharakis, Slattery and Hurley all lifted their games and made the most of the few opportunities they had, but the Dolphins refused to take their foot of the pedal and ran over the top of the Bombers.
Myers kicked his 6th behind for the game and Neagle failed to get into the front position as he was usually found with two, if not three, defenders on him.
The Bombers once again, struggled to get the ball to a man up forward and, to add to their woes, Slattery slammed heads with Lowrey and was walked from the ground.
Zaharakis went down minutes later after he received a hit to the head, but managed to get up and continue. Atkinson was the Bombers' best for the quarter, constantly giving second and third efforts, but it just wasn’t enough.
Bendigo's fate was sealed after Frankston kicked nine goals to three in the last half.
The final scores were Bendigo 12.13 (85) to Frankston’s 16.12 (108).
There were promising signs throughout the game, especially in the first half with 18 uncontested marks in the first quarter and 37 efficient kicks. Captain James Flaherty played a brilliant game throughout, limiting Frankston’s Andrew Murray in defence.
Myers had 27 disposals and five tackles however his inability to convert scoring opportunities hurt the side. Jetta and Bachar Houli provided great pressure through the centre and showed plenty of brilliance in avoiding tackles.
Irishman Quinn was dangerous up forward with three goals; whist Neagle continued to show glimpses of what a powerful forward he can be, kicking two goals himself.
Atkinson and Zaharakis were reliable through the middle and Bellchambers played a solid comeback game from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Round 10.
Hurley provided strength and height in both attack and defence, easily being one of the Bombers better players of the day.
Next week Bendigo faces another tough challenge taking on the 7th placed Casey Scorpions at 2pm on Saturday 5th of July at Casey Fields.
