Bendigo Pioneers have slumped to a third straight defeat in the Coates Talent League, falling by 30 points at the hands of the Dandenong Stingrays in Sunday’s round nine action.
Echuca’s Hugh Byrne and Moama’s Jobe Shanahan spear-headed the Pioneers’ effort, with Byrne slotting two goals in the 9.9 (63) to 13.15 (93) loss.
Bendigo trailed by two goals at half-time, but a determined Stingrays outfit, fifth in the league, kicked away with seven goals to four in the second half.
The result has seen the Pioneers drop out of the top eight for the first time this season, but will have an opportunity to rebound on June 24 with a match-up against Northern Knights.
Leitchville-Gunbower’s Oskar Smartt marked his first game in the side since April 16 with another productive performance, earning another spot in the best players, while Echuca’s Will Rohde hit the scoreboard for Pioneers.
Meanwhile, Byrne and Shanahan continued their consistent patches of form, with vice-captain Byrne taking his tally to 11 goals for the season.
In the girls competition, Dandenong proved too strong for the Pioneers.
Bendigo fell 3.2 (20) to 17.25 (127) against the highly-vaunted Stingrays, who sit fourth on the Talent League ladder.
“Dandenong are where the benchmark is,” Pioneers’ coach Whitney Kennedy said.
“Our girls learnt some valuable lessons which will set the tone for the community recess period.”
Players will return to their local clubs over the next two weeks as the Talent League breaks for national championships.
That will include Moama’s Ella Plattfuss, who notched her third match in the Pioneers jumper after making her debut for the senior side against Geelong Falcons.
The Pioneers sit 14th with two wins.
The Game
Scores
Bendigo: 2.2, 5.2, 7.5, 9.9 (63)
Dandenong: 2.3, 6.8, 9.12, 13.15 (93)
Bendigo goals: Hugh Byrne 2, Archer Day-Wicks, Lucas Hurse, Taj McMillan, Will Rohde, Jobe Shanahan, Oskar Smartt, Dayten Uerata
Bendigo best: Jobe Shanahan, Hugh Byrne, Jacob Nihill, Archer Day-Wicks, Bailey Cain, Oskar Smartt