After losing Tom Bellchambers, Jay Nash, Hayden Skipworth, Michael Quinn and Leroy Jetta (rested in case needed for Friday's final) any chance of victory that Bendigo had against the 11th placed Werribee Tigers was severely hindered.
The Bombers fielded a team that included just seven young Essendon players with David Myers, Darcy Daniher and Tyson Slattery only scheduled to play a limited period of the game. The other Essendon players were Christian Bock, Tom German, Rhys Magin, Bryce Carroll.
Werribee dominated from the early stages of the game and that seemed to be the story of the day. Despite conceding the first goal, the Tigers went on to score four in a row to hold an early lead.
Bendigo’s defence foiled plenty of Werribee’s attacks however they were never short of scoring opportunities. Paul Scanlon scored late in the quarter and Daniher managed to get his first to restore hope for the Bombers.
Daniher’s goal came as a result of Jamie Hackett’s good work on the ground; his ability to make a clean pick up and kick cleanly ensured Daniher had the best opportunity to kick the goal.
Myers had a good quarter despite appearing to be feeling the effects of an ankle injury which had previously sidelined him for numerous weeks. He won plenty of the ball from stoppages to be among the best for Bendigo by the end of the first term.
As the siren sounded at the end of the first quarter, the Bombers trailed by just one straight goal.
Blair Holmes had a great chance to kick the first goal of the second quarter after he won a free kick in scoring range; however, he missed to let Werribee off the hook.
Myers’ brilliant running goal was a highlight of the second term; he collected the ball in the middle of the ground, ran inside 50 and kept his composure well as he slotted the ball straight over the umpire’s head.
Bendigo’s pressure throughout the quarter was intense and they found plenty of the ball, however they weren’t able to convert this into scoreboard pressure. Werribee looked like they would carry a comfortable lead into the main break until late goals by James Bristow and Jamie Hackett cut the Tigers lead down to 12-points.
Paul Scanlon was instrumental for Bendigo in the first half, Stewart Crameri was a shining light in defence and Myers was an imposing figure in the midfield however they simply didn’t have enough firepower or experience to break away from the Tigers.
The Bombers trailed by two goals at the half time break.
The third quarter honours went to Werribee dominating across the field and on the scoreboard however goals to Magin and Daniher kept Bendigo in the contest.
Bendigo faced a sizeable assignment in the final term especially with Myers, Daniher and Slattery taking no further part in the match due to being rested in case they are called upon for Essendon’s elimination final.
They had to overturn a four goal deficit, which was achievable however, knowing Bendigo’s final quarter record and limited firepower, this seemed unlikely.
The final quarter got off to the worst possible start for the Bombers. Werribee raced out of the block, kicking three goals in the opening four minutes to all but end the contest. Rex Taylor’s goal was the only thing Bendigo had to celebrate as Werribee piled on goal after goal in the final 20 minutes.
As has been the story all season for the Bombers, the opposition ran all over them in the dying stages of the match, the young side unable to string together four consistent quarters of football.
The Tigers managed to score 16 goals to three in the second half to run out 95-point winners, despite leading by just 24-points at the end of the third quarter.
Myers played well in the three quarters he was on the field, collecting 23 disposals and six contested possessions. Daniher, who also only played limited amount of the game, kicked two goals and was looking fit and switched on.
Paul Scanlon was leading possession winner with 31 touches, while Stewart Crameri was best on ground with a heroic performance in defence, collecting plenty of contested marks and also recording 29 possessions.
