A TOUGH afternoon to finish the Bendigo Football Netball League season was in store for Broadford, with reigning premier Eaglehawk in no mood to give the Kangaroos a sniff.
It was evident from the opening bounce that Eaglehawk would treat this as a dress rehearsal for its qualifying final clash with Strathfieldsaye, and a 15-goal first term meant it was 99 points at the first change.
Eaglehawk was relentless, kicking 12 goals in the second term to ensure it was a 176-point cushion at the main break.
A further 12 goals in the third term meant the margin had gotten out to 254 points at the final change of Broadford’s season, with the Hawks leading 254-0.
Eaglehawk was at its most brutal in the last quarter, kicking 16 goals to break the record for the highest winning margin in Bendigo Football Netball League history, 55.29 (359) to 0.0 (0).
On a tough day for the Roos, Louis Thompson, Oliver Lubeck, CJ Brill, Jarrah Younger, Taiten Thomas and David Hussey did everything they could to try and stem the tide.
On a positive note, however, there was some good news for the Roos, with Nathan Thompson signing on for a second year as coach.
Broadford said it was an exciting time to have him locked in for a second season.
“After two years in recess, 2026 was about getting Broadford back on the park, laying the foundations and rebuilding our football program,” they wrote.
“Thommo has put an enormous amount of work into the program, our players and where we’re heading, and with so much talent and opportunity ahead, we couldn’t be more excited to back him as we take the next step.
To have returned from recess and fielded all three football teams every single week, alongside our netballers, is an achievement we are incredibly proud of.”
In the reserves, Broadford finished off its first season with a 153-point loss.
Jabe Brown kicked the Kangaroos’ sole goal, while Brodie Stray, Sean Duggan, Andrew Pope, Brill, Mitchell Browne and John Hussey were all named in the best.
The under-18s kept Eaglehawk honest before losing by 40 points.
Jack Reynolds-Brooks, Brown, Chase Kennedy, Browne, Logan Lay and Caylin Ingram were all named in the best.
Broadford finished its first season on the netball court too.
The A-grade lost 25-67, while B-grade came close to recording a second straight win, losing 34-44. B-reserve lost 21-58, while the 17-and-under team lost 18-74.
