Sandy Creek season

Beechworth’s senior footballers are heading back to the MCG of the bush for a fourth straight season, looking to make a finals run starting with their elimination game against Thurgoona on Sunday. The Bushrangers scraped into the postseason despite a narrow 13-point loss to Barnawartha last week, who sealed a spot in the top three. In a heavyweight pre-finals bout, nothing could separate the sides at halftime at Baarmutha Park in what was a physical first half. The Tigers would flex their muscles with the game on the line in the premiership quarter and kick out to a game-high 19-point lead at the last change of ends. With their season potentially on the line, the Bushrangers refused to lay down in a spirited last quarter coming to within a point to set up a thrilling finish, but the Tigers held their nerve to win 13.9 (87) to 11.8 (74). With prolific goal kicker Brad Fendyk out, the Bushrangers turned to Brayden Carey to fill the role and the former Barton medalist turned back the clock to finish with five goals in a best on ground performance. Regular contributors Cam Fendyk, Tom Cartledge and Kayde Surrey starred while Jobe Brock and Clancy Ellett impressed. Fendyk, Cartledge and Degan Dolny were rewarded for their form this season with invitations to the league presentation night on Monday, along with under 13s netballer Lily Neil. Following the game Beechworth sweated on the result of Rutherglen against Chiltern, with a Cats win set to knock the ‘Bushies out of the top five. But Rutherglen kicked themselves out of the game and ultimately finals, finishing with 3.17 to go down by 38 points, despite having two more scoring shots. This year marks the Bushrangers’ fourth straight appearance at Sandy Creek after coming from finals purgatory in 2022. Only Chiltern and Kiewa-Sandy Creek have appeared with Beechworth in every finals series since. The ‘Bushies will be hoping for a similar result against the Dogs as last year’s elimination final, with Beechworth ending Thurgoona’s season on that occasion. The teams split their regular season games this year, playing an opening round thriller at Thurgoona before the Dogs got the better of Beechworth at Baarmutha Park. Also looking to make an impact in finals from finishing fifth will be the under 17s, who will take on Yackanadandah on Sunday. The teams split the ledger in their regular season match ups this year, with the Roos beating the Bushrangers by 31 points a fortnight ago. The under 17s will kick off at Sandy Creek from 10:20am before the seniors take the field at 2:15pm. On Saturday Chiltern will take on Barnawartha in the seniors for a shot at facing minor premiers Kiewa Sandy Creek.

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