BROADFORD’S senior side faced a difficult road assignment against Castlemaine in the Bendigo Football Netball League, but the Roos again showed the spirit, effort and resilience that continue to drive the club’s development.
Castlemaine took control early and went on to record a 35.14 (224) to 2.5 (17) win, but for Broadford the focus remains firmly on improvement, connection and building strong foundations across the group.
The Roos found encouraging signs throughout the contest, particularly around the centre bounce and during parts of the second quarter, where they produced some of their better football for the season.
Broadford was able to get its hands on the ball around the contest and showed that, when the group connected its work rate with pressure and structure, it could compete for periods against stronger opposition.
The Roos’ goals came through Jarrah Younger and Taiten Thomas, giving Broadford reward for effort and moments of forward-half opportunity.
Thomas was also named among Broadford’s best players after a strong all-round performance, alongside Jay Eager, Adam Miles, Louis Thompson, Jacob Street-Glasson and Harry Behan.
The second quarter was a clear positive for Broadford, with the side responding after a tough opening term and showing greater composure, effort and competitiveness.
Coach Nathan Thompson said the group’s morale remains strong despite the challenges of the season.
“I think morale is really strong at the moment,” Thompson said.
“We know it’s tough, but as I’ve said the whole way through, I don’t care about the scoreboard in the first year – let’s just get the foundations right first.”
That message continues to be the key theme for Broadford this season. While wins and losses are always part of football, the Roos are focused on developing habits that will help the club grow beyond the current year.
The challenge became even greater as the match went on, with Broadford finishing the game with four injured players on the bench. That left the remaining players to shoulder a heavy workload, particularly late in the game, but the group continued to compete and see the match through.
For a developing side, that ability to stay together under pressure remains one of the positives Broadford can take from the contest.
The Roos will now look to recover, regroup and continue building on the patches of football that showed promise against Castlemaine.
Broadford returns home this Saturday, when the Roos take on Eaglehawk at Harley Hammond Reserve in Broadford.
Meantime, the reserves continue to keep teams honest, losing by 74 points, 19-93, while the under-18s had a tough morning, losing by 146 points.
Broadford’s netballers had a terrific afternoon, breaking its duck in the Bendigo Football Netball League through its B-grade team.
While A-grade fell to its closest loss so far, losing 57-43, B-grade broke through for its first win in the competition, winning 62-43.
The B-reserve team fell 44-24, while the 17-and-under team lost 35-56.
