Bendigo coach Peter Banfield commended the performance of the four players that returned from the seniors and said they played a big part in the team’s 49-point win.
""The really significant thing about the performance against Frankston is that everyone that came back from the seniors were all solid contributors.
""I was rapt with their attitudes and the way they all came back and performed. They all played pivotal roles in us winning the game,"" Banfield said.
Marc Bullen dominated in the centre and won plenty of the ball. He collected 34 possession and booted one goal. Bullen will benefit from the four quarter hit-out after having limited game time in the seniors.
Mercuri returned to form with an impressive performance across half-forward and also spent time on the ball. The 29-year-old finished with 18 kicks, 11 handballs, 13 marks and booted four goals.
Jason Winderlich and Kepler Bradley were also serviceable. Winderlich booted two goals and notched up 21 possessions. Bradley contributed three majors to the scoreboard and racked up 14 touches.
Jason Laycock was also a stand-out performer and has put himself in the mix for a senior berth this weekend. ""Jason was really fantastic against Frankston. He predominantly played ruck and played in the forwardline as well. He marked the ball very strongly, which is probably an area where he has struggled in the past few weeks,"" Banfield said.
""No doubt with Matthew (Allan) going down, there is an opportunity for him and with his performance against Frankston, gives him a chance for selection next week.""
Ricky Dyson has spent the past two weeks in the Bendigo side. Banfield used the 18-year-old in a different role on the weekend. He was used across half-back against Frankston, instead of his usual mid-field role.
""We played him (Ricky) across half-back more for his development. It just adds flexibility to his game, so when he goes up to play senior footy if he has to go and play half-back it just gives him an understanding of what is required,"" Banfield said.
""He was a little bit lost early in the first quarter on an opponent that is not a bad player for Frankston. He really knuckled down and as the game wore on he became more comfortable and his running out of the backline and his ability to link up down the ground was tremendous. He had 29 possessions from playing across half-back, which was fantastic.""
The win against Frankston has given Bendigo a sniff of playing finals football. The victory has pushed them into ninth position and they sit one game outside the top eight. ""It was really a game that we needed to win given we are four weeks from the end of the season and we needed to stay in touch with the top eight. I was rapt in the way the players went out and played, it was a tremendous performance,"" Bandfield said.
Bendigo statistics:
Bullen – 34, 1 goal
Dyson – 29, 1 goal
Mercuri – 29, 4 goals
Rosa – 24
Lovett – 22, 2 goals
Watson – 21
Winderlich – 21, 2 goals
Doering – 20
Laycock – 20, 4 goals
Moorcroft – 20
Carter – 16
Bradley – 14, 3 goals
Nash – 11, 1 goal
Wilson – 9
Bowen – 8
Campbell – 8
Hunt – 8
Walsh – 8
Summers – 4
Atkins – 2
Webster – 2
Hawkins – 1
