Bendigo Practice Match Report
By Andre 2000
It was a lovely sunny day out at Ararat. A 2-3 goal breeze blew towards the ‘city centre’ end. I can’t say that the quality of the game matched the weather though. It was a typical scrappy pre-season affair.
I didn’t take notes, but I believe the score was something like:
North Ballarat 10.16 76 to Bendigo 7.5 47
The scoring shots accurately reflected the imbalance of play between the two sides. We got thrashed in most areas, and deserved to lose by more. Alexandra Oval is a massive ground, apparently the same size as the ‘G. Their midfielders ran harder forward, ran harder to flood back, hit targets more regularly, applied more defensive pressure and just generally worked so much harder on the wide expanses of Alexandra Oval. They showed typical “shinboner” spirit. Hopefully it’s not a reflection of what may happen on Monday.
Winderlich was streets ahead of any player we had out there today. A class above. Had plenty of it and used it very well. Can’t quite believe his impact really, considering his injury troubles of late. Easily the highlight of the game. He quite often won the clearance, handballing to a teammate, only to see us cough the ball up immediately.
Lovett flashed in and out of the game. Probably just played well enough to get back in the team. But wasn’t great. Can’t remember him laying a tackle but looked in good physical condition. Will be better for the run.
Hislop had an Ok game. Quiet early, but better in the 2nd half. At least he chased and tackled when others were not working hard enough. Also looked in good shape and I suspect will be better next week.
Pears was probably the best of the 1st/2nd year players. Strong play down back early. Then was needed forward, as our tall targets there were useless. Presented pretty well. Showed clean hands and good decision making. Continues to show great promise.
Myers had a fair bit of it. But his teammates made him look bad. Most times he would get the ball at half back or midfield. He would look up and not find anyone presenting hard enough. Then have to go sideways or backward. Was Ok.
Pev was ordinary in the first half. Better in the second half. Probably had quite a few touches in the end and kicked 2 goals. But, as usual, tipped the ball over far too often. Not a good game really.
Johns was only fair. Played down back the whole game. Had a couple of good moments, but was very hit and miss. Another one who got frustrated at the lack of options up the ground.
Hooker wasn’t good enough up forward with his presenting. Dropped a couple of easy marks. Was only a little better across half back. Tried hard with his 2nd/3rd efforts though.
Lee was probably the best of our tall forwards. Lead pretty well, but not often enough. Didn’t chase his man hard enough early . Then later, when he did, gave away a couple of silly ‘behind the play’ free kicks. Kicked one goal. Missed a couple. He looked our most likely player to take a mark inside 50 and kick a goal. Far from the worst.
Magin continued to show glimpses of class and superb natural instinct. Only glimpses here and there though. Didn’t do enough.
Reimers was pretty ordinary in the midfield. A little better at half back. Turned the ball over way too much by foot.
Atkinson was terrible in the first half. Got caught with the ball the couple of times he got it. Didn’t do enough in the 2nd.
Chartres was very ordinary as a key forward. Played Ok in the last quarter when in the ruck.
Dick was another ordinary player up forward. It didn’t get much better for him down back.
Bellchambers showed some promise I thought. His intensity and aggression at the ruck contests was pretty good. Didn’t get much of the ball. But didn’t make mistakes when he got it.
The skill level of the Bendigo listed players was dreadful. A lot of the turnovers seem to come through them in the 1st half. The margin was roughly 5 goals at half time. So you could argue we held our own in the 2nd half. But the reality of the situation was they missed quite a few shots at goal in the last quarter with the breeze. The wind did seem to affect long kicks quite a bit. Making it hard for talls to take marks. So they maybe given a little grace given the conditions.
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