BY NATHAN DOLE
Magpies, Roos try to break long-running hoodoo
CASTLEMAINE and Kangaroo Flat will be striving to break long-running hoodoos in Saturday’s 13th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
It’s been eight years since Castlemaine beat Eaglehawk.
The Magpies will be desperate to buck the trend and in doing so keep faint hopes of qualifying for finals flickering by winning Saturday’s home game at Camp Reserve.
The showdown between the Magpies and Hawks will start at 2.20pm.
It’s going to be a daunting task for the Michael Hartley-coached Magpies against an Eaglehawk team which thrashed Strathfieldsaye by 10 goals last round in the Borough’s Canterbury Park.
Chances of the black and white taking the points will hinge greatly on the play of captain Bailey Henderson, Michael Hartley in attack, Liam Wilkinson, Kalan Huntly, John Watson, Declan Slingo, Ben McConachy and Zavier Murley.
An Eaglehawk on-ball division that includes ruckman Brayden Frost, Billy Evans and Joel Mullen will test the Pies all match.
Bailey Ilsley kicked five goals in the Hawks win against Strathfieldsaye and is part of an attack that includes Jonty Neaves, Cam McGlahsan and Sam O’Shannessy.
Other players to watch for the Two Blues include Charlie Langford and Pala Kuma in defence, Thomas Bennett and Marcus Angove.
Kangaroo Flat is back on home turf at Dower Park to face Golden Square.
A run of 44 consecutive defeats to Golden Square included a 106-29 result for the Bulldogs in round six at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
The Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos worked hard to score 16 goals last round, but went down to South Bendigo by seven points at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
The Kangaroos’ line-up for this round includes Jack Lefroy, Luke Ellings, Toby Balcke, Ethan and Toby Roberts, Jake Hywood and Harry Whitty.
After crossing from Marong at the end of ’23, Tucker Thach will play his first senior match for the Kangaroos.
Huge plus for Golden Square is the return of gun on-baller Thomas Toma for his first senior game with the Bulldogs this season.
Toma has played four VFL matches with Essendon.
The inclusion of Toma strengthens Square’s on-ball and midfield group which includes Ricky Monti, Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves, Luke Holt, Brodie James and Tom Strauch.
An attack led by Jayden Burke and Jack Stewart is in top form.
The Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs also have the marking power of Kai Daniels and Tanner Rayner, and strong defence led by Jon Coe.
Gisborne returns to Gardiner Reserve to take on South Bendigo.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs won their previous meeting on the Bloods’ turf in Kennington by almost 25 goals.
South Bendigo will be determined to avoid a similar margin.
Massive challenge for the Bloods against a Gisborne attack that includes Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore, Jack Scanlon and Zac Denany.
They are likely to be given plenty of opportunities through the play of ruckman Braidon Blake, Brad Bernacki, Jackson Cardillo and Flynn Lakey.
Bloods’ on-ballers Brody Haddow, Anthony Zimmerman and Jasper Langley face a huge task.
In attack South Bendigo has co-coach Steven Stroobants and Brock Harvey with the pace and goal smarts to trouble Gisborne.
A Bloods’ defence that includes co-coach Isaiah Miller and captain Zac Hare will rely a lot on pressure from team-mates up the ground.
After an extended break, Sandhurst returns to Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on Maryborough.
With it’s future in the league beyond this season unclear it may be the last time Maryborough plays on the iconic QEO turf.
Inter-league and bye have meant Sandhurst has not played since a one-goal loss on June 29 at Gisborne.
The Dragons’ dominated at Princes Park in round six to rack up a league record score and winning margin of 333 points.
The Coby Perry and Matt Johnston-coached Maryborough will be doing all it can to not allow the Dragons to score as freely and quickly this time.
Among the inclusions for Sandhurst is Ollie Hannaford who played in three of the AFL national under-18 championship matches for Victoria Country.
It will be Hannaford’s second senior match after his round two debut against Gisborne at the QEO.
Joel Wharton is also back after being sidelined since the round five win against South Bendigo.
The ladder-leading Dragons have a formidable attack led by Fergus Greene and Cobi Maxted.
Captain Lachlan Tardrew, Jake McLean and Cooper Smith win plenty of the footy, but also impress with their hard-running to support the defence.
Maryborough’s best in last Saturday’s home game against Gisborne were Coby Perry, Aidan Medlyn, Joel Swatton and Kya Lanfranchi.
Highlights included the play of Matt Johnston to kick four goals and rising star Kaian Constable who booted three goals.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 293 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 227, 36; Strathfieldsaye 155, 32; Eaglehawk 148, 24; Golden Square 127, 24; Castlemaine 103, 16; South Bendigo 71, 12; Kangaroo Flat 65, 12; Maryborough 15, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
56 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
47 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
37 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
35 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
35 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
34 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
33 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
31 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
23 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
23 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
21 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
21 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
20 Bailey Henderson, Strathfieldsaye.
20 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
18 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
17 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
16 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
13 Lachlan Gill, Strathfieldsaye.
13 Zac Greeves, Castlemaine.
13 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
12 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
11 Zach Charles, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Luke Ellings, Kangaroo Flat.
11 Bailey Ilsley, Eaglehawk.
11 Matt Johnston, Maryborough.
11 Jack Lefroy, Kangaroo Flat.
11 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
11 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
10 Ricky Monti, Golden Square.
10 Joel Mullen, Eaglehawk.
10 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
10 Mitch Ronchieri, Eaglehawk.
10 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.