The Bombers broke away from Port Melbourne midway through the third quarter with what appeared to be a match-winning five-goal lead but Port Melbourne refused to lie down and hit the front early in the last quarter. However the Bombers steadied in the final stages to record an important win.
Damien Peverill was clearly the best player on the ground racking up 36 possessions and kicking three goals. It was just the type of performance that would have caught the eye of selectors. Peverill’s experience was critical late in the game when Bendigo was challenged.
Jason Johnson also took his demotion on the chin and collected a mountain of possessions in the midfield. Johnson finished with 33 possessions and he also kicked three goals. He too will be in line for a senior recall, particularly given the challenge Essendon faces at AAMI Stadium against Adelaide next Friday night. His experience could be important.
Rookies Heath Hocking and Ben Jolley again impressed Bendigo coach Matthew Knights. Jolley had 24 possessions and laid seven effective tackles and kicked one goal.
""Hocking did a mountain of work and was very good for us. He finished with 31 possessions, took eight marks and led the team in effective tackles with eight. But his numbers could have looked much better – he kicked 1.5,"" Knights said.
""I thought Austin Lucy gave us a little bit when he went forward kicking two goals in the last quarter. Jay Neagle spent most of the day in defence. Both of them are really just learning about the game.
""The midfield was good most of the day. We went inside 50m 66 times for the day compared with Port Melbourne’s 50 so that is a reflection of the good work they did for us.
Bendigo goalkickers: Peverill, J. Johnson 3, Vigus, Lucy, Lonergan 2, Hocking, Doering, Rosa, Jolley, Firman 1.Bendigo best: Peverill, Jolley, J. Johnson, Hocking, Nash, Rosa.
