Braves Men continue to fight hard

“Resilience” has been the word of the season for the Bendigo Bank Braves Men so far this year, as they overcome injury and player unavailability and still deliver high-quality performances.

And it was resilience that shone through again this weekend as Stephen Black’s undermanned side gutsed it out and refused to roll over against two of the best sides in the competition.

Bendigo travelled to Waverley on Saturday night without key players Rowan Mackenzie and Mitch Clarke and took it to the Falcons early.

Import Andrew Robinson and Lachie O’Brien led Bendigo to a one-point half-time lead, with quality outside shooting and pressure defense.

However, it was a tough second half for Bendigo, the Braves going down 75 to 110 with Robinson (19) and O’Brien (16) the leading scorers.

Coach Stephen Black was looking for a more focused and determined Bendigo when they took on ladder-leaders Mount Gambier at Red Energy Arena the next day.

It took Bendigo a little while to warm up, down 3-14 early. But the resilience Bendigo has shown in spades this season kicked in, off the back of strong defensive plays and confident offence, with the Braves down 19-23 at the first break.

Robinson and local young guns Lachie and Liam O’Brien, Dylan McCauley, and Lachie Sommerville took the game on in the second quarter, giving Bendigo the lead midway through the term.

A quick run from the Pioneers saw them lead by seven at the main break, and it would have made sense if they ran away with the game.

But that didn’t happen. Bendigo continued to fight hard but couldn’t quite eat into Mount Gambier’s lead, going down 75-90.

Robinson finished with 20, Koch Bar 17, Lachie O’Brien 16, and McCauley 15.

For Black, the story of the weekend was how well his young side responded.

“We were definitely frustrated with the way we went about it during the Waverley game, especially the second half,” he said.

“And to start the way we did today, we weren’t attacking things the way we wanted to. We needed to refocus.

“Pleasingly, for a significant portion of the game today I was really proud with our fight and how we went about it.

“Given the outs we had I was quite pleased with how the group really tried to restrict Mt Gambier as much as possible and back themselves at the other end.”

One of those outs was particularly frustrating for Black.

Black was also full of praise for Robinson’s weekend, and season so far.

“I don’t think I can speak more highly of Drew – his attitude and what he brings to our team, and the way he has taken responsibility at both ends,” he said.

“I have been super pleased with how he has played, and this week was no different.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography