The final scores were Bendigo 12.8 (80) to Sandringham 14.15 (99).

Assistant coach Steve Thompson was pleased with the four quarter effort that the players put in and believes that a win is just around the corner for the young team.

“The guys had a really good start to the game, we worked out match ups early and it was three goals apiece at quarter time,” Thompson said.

“One-on-one battles were really good and it developed into a tight contest, goals were at a premium.  The wind was playing tricks at times and in the second quarter we kicked 1.6 and they kicked 4.10. Kicking was a bit of a fluke with the wind.

“We were 31 points down at one stage but came back and got within a few goals in the last quarter. We kicked the last goal after the siren to finish 19 points down.

“Darcy Danhier was a late withdrawal (flu) this morning, his replacement Shane Page is a young gun from the Bendigo Pioneers. He was given the call up earlier today and his game was super, his ball usage was second to none. We couldn’t have asked for more from him today.

“Darcy Richards is an eighteen-year-old playing in his first year at the Bombers.  He managed a goal in his first senior game.  He’s been playing well in the reserves, he’s a big strong boy he handled himself pretty well today. We’ve been fortunate this year; all of the young guys we’ve called up into the VFL have done really well.

“Bellchambers rucked really well today, taking some really telling marks around the ground and leading the midfield well.

“Leroy Jetta responded really well today with an effective game across half back, he used the football really well and had a lot of run.

“Atkinson put another good one together working really well with Jetta, they were a dynamic duo down back.""

Second year captain James Flaherty had the tough job of containing Sandringham’s key forward Nick Sautner.

“Flaherty teamed up well with the guys in the backline with Tyson Slattery and Stewart Crameri who all played well down back,"" Thompson said.

“David Myers played well on ball, proving handy around the stoppages. Tom German was a lockdown on Luke Ball and David Armitage.

“It was good to see Kade Klemke and German back in the VFL side after spending a few weeks getting their fitness up in the reserves.

“We have a short turn around this week, facing the Coburg Tigers on Saturday, and we have some sore boys but thankfully no major injuries. Everyone should all come up alright for next weekend. 

“We’re very close to winning.  The team needs to work on its 'never say die' attitude, get control of the ball and get on with the game.""

Bendigo Bombers

Goal Kickers: Holmes 2, Bristowe 2, Page 2, Magin 2, Bellchambers 1, Delahunty 1, Richards 1, Thompson 1.

Best Players: Page, Jetta, Atkinson, Myers, German, Bellchambers.

Sandringham

Goal Kickers: Hayne 5, Sautner 4, Smith 2, Armitage 2, Lynch 1.

Best Players: Geary, Summers, Smith, Gallagher, Simpkin, Johnson.