Greater Western Victoria Rebels relinquished an early 26-point lead to lose to Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup at Alfredton on Sunday.
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The Pioneers went on a nine-goal to two run to take the game away from the Rebels – 16.12 (108) to 14.12 (96).
GWV had a late surge, but it was too little too late after Bendigo had also worked out to a 26-point cushion 10 minutes into the last term.
Work rate was again a major theme for Rebels head coach Gerard FitzGerald – anchoring his three quarter time message with his charges needing to come from behind.
He highlighted a drop off in tackles and increase in Bendigo marks in attack as concerns.
FitzGerald said these factors each related to work rate.
He said it was a matter of getting down to the basics in a winnable game.
Pioneers coach Rick Coburn also emphasised work rate in the last change and it was to be Bendigo which responded the better of the regional rivals.
With the best ruckman on the ground, GWV’s Lloyd Meek, starting in attack to provide a target in the hope of using a long kicking game to regain control, the Pioneers capitalised to win the opening centre clearance to goal within a minute to extend the lead to 19 points.
The Rebels gathered themselves and replied, but with three of the first four goals for the last term going Bendigo’s way the match was taken out of the reach of the home team.
Small forward Beau Daniels was a match-winner for the Pioneers, with the stocky sharp-shooter kicking four goals in a lively display.
The GWV defence worked hard, but Bendigo’s quick ball movement from the midfield proved to much to handle.
The Rebels had a wide spread of goalkickers, with 12 players contributing.
Dale Cox was lively in attack as one of only two multiple goalkickers, while Aiden Domic matched his two goals with a persistent on-ball display.
Callan Wellings had plenty of the ball as did Aaron Shepherd, but the Rebels were only able to show glimpses of open, running passages which when they did come off had Bendigo well and truly on the back foot.
The Rebels are without a win after two rounds and now face Dandenong Stingrays, which has a win and a loss, at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo on Saturday as part of the a Vic country tripleheader.
