Six goals to Carlton listed player Cameron Cloke has seen the Bendigo Bombers go down to the Northern Bullants by 74-points at Windy Hill.

Assistant coach Steve Thompson said Irish project player Michael Quinn was among the best for the Bombers and Sam Lonergan was in good form after being omitted from the AFL side.

""The first three quarters played today were as good a standard as you will see in the VFL - the Bendigo boys put in a really good effort against a Bullants side loaded with AFL listed players,"" Thompson said.

""Unfortunately in the last quarter they got away from us when the game was in the balance. We were down to 19 players at the end of the game with young Myers and Zaharakis ruled out after receiving knocks to the leg in the first half. They are not serious injuries but they couldn't play out the game which affected out rotations.

""Lonergan was fantastic, his hard ball gets and in and under work was inspirational. He played midfield and rotated into the forward line where he got a few goals. He did a heap of work today.

""Quinn was promoted from the reserves and was excellent in the forward line. He would have had half a dozen marks in the first quarter and his work-rate all day was fantastic. He also had a run in the midfield in the second half and his accountability is beyond his years.""

Tyson Slattery will have made Matthew Knights take note after an excellent game across halfback. He now looks a strong possibility to make his AFL debut this season.

""Slattery was returning from injuryand had a good game across half back. He is accountable, a good spoiler and makes good decisions. For someone so young who has missed so much footy it was an impressive comeback game,"" Thompson said.

Thompson also said Neagle worked hard for his two goals and his chasing, spoiling and the way he presented to the ball were encouraging.
 
He said Atkinson backed up last week's excellent game with another solid performance off half back.

""Bellchambers was good all day against two big boys with AFL experience in Warnock and Jacobs and used the ball well,"" he said.

""Skipworth got about 28 touches and played well and Houli was good today too, he is playing some really solid footy.""

Northern Bullants 22.12 (144)

Bendigo Bombers 10.10 (70)

Bendigo Bombers

Goal Kickers: S. Lonergan 2, J. Neagle 2, P. Scanlon, D. Daniher, T. Slattery, H. Skipworth, B. Houli, D. Hulme
Best Players: M. Quinn, S. Lonergan, T. Slattery, J. Neagle, J. Atkinson, S. Page

Northern Bullants

Goal Kickers: C. Cloke 6, A. Bentick 3, S. Wiggins 3, J. Garlett 3, L. Morgan 2, J. McCorkell 2, M. Robinson, D. Ellard, R. Hadley
Best Players: C. Cloke, J. McCorkell, N. Stevens, A. Iacobucci, A. Bentick, J. Garlett