TOP-TWO teams South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye face a crucial test in Saturday’s 10th round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Bloods and Storm will play at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street from 2.20pm.
When these clubs met in the season opener on Good Friday it was Strathfieldsaye which fought on for a seven-point victory at Triple M Park.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm rolls into this contest on top of the ladder on a seven-one record.
South Bendigo has an identical win-loss tally, but is nine per cent adrift of Storm.
As the Bloods had the bye last round, Strathfieldsaye marked a 76-point win on Kangaroo Flat’s ground.
A South Bendigo team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, won the showdown with Kangaroo Flat on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend by 82 points.
Key match-ups for the Bloods include Ron Best medallist and gun goalkicker Brock Harvey opposed by Patrick Blandford; Callum Crisp in the ruck against Tim Hosking; and Will Allen at centre half-back against James Schischka.
On-ball duels will be a highlight.
The Bloods have Brody Haddow, Coen Harker and Tom Templeton to take on Tyson McKenzie, Daniel Clohesy and Drew Lloyd.
South Bendigo forwards James Davies, Anthony Zimmerman, Zaydyn Lockwood and Logan Howell face a tight-knit Storm defence led by Lachlan Ratcliffe, Kya Lanfranchi, Ben Lester and Hunter Lawrence.
Another big match will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval where Sandhurst meets Eaglehawk in the rematch of the ’25 grand finalists.
Crucial contest for both clubs in the fight to claim a top-three finish and the double chance at finals time.
A six-two record has Sandhurst perched on the fourth rung.
Eaglehawk reclaimed its place in the five after last Saturday’s win on Broadford’s turf.
On Easter Saturday it was Sandhurst which won on Eaglehawk’s ground at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park by 38 points.
The Sandhurst team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, marked a 31-point win against Castlemaine at the QEO last Saturday as Oliver Stewart, Wil Pinniger and Oliver Morris led the way.
Key players for the Dragons include Caleb Connick, Cobi Maxted, Hugh Schmetzer, Cooper Smith and Lachlan Wright.
Eaglehawk is gradually working toward to having its strongest 22 available.
Michelsen medallist Noah Wheeler returns for his first match since the round six clash at Gisborne.
A newcomer for the Hawks is Jacquin Mifsud from UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in AFL Sydney.
Players to watch for the Two Blues include captain and Michelsen medallist Billy Evans, ruckman Callum Heath, Bailey Ilsley, Charlie Langford, Jack O’Shannessy and Ben Thompson.
Golden Square is back on its turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street to play Castlemaine.
It’s seventh against sixth.
On Good Friday the Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine beat the Bulldogs at Camp Reserve by eight points.
It’s been many years since Castlemaine has beaten the Bulldogs twice in a season.
A Golden Square team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, will be determined for that not to happen.
Among the ‘ins’ for Golden Square is four-time premiership winner and 2019 Michelsen medallist Adam Baird.
Named in a back pocket, Baird is likely to play in attack, with the occasional stint on-ball or midfield.
In recent years Baird has played for Mount Pleasant in the Heathcote DFNL.
He played for Charlton in last Saturday’s clash with Boort in the Goldacres North Central competition.
Key players for Golden Square include Harry Burke, Luke Holt and Noah Warfe in defence; Jack Stewart and Tom Strauch in attack; ruckman Liam Hoy and ruck-rover Jordan Rosengren.
A key match-up for Golden Square will be against Michael Hartley who has starred in attack, defence or the ruck for Castlemaine.
The Magpies’ best in last week’s clash with Sandhurst were Dylan Landt, Jack Sutherland, the hard-running Harrison Sheahan, and ruckman Jaise Coleman.
In attack Castlemaine will look to Zavier Murley, Jack Chester and Hunter Staples to capitalise on chances.
Kangaroo Flat’s on its ground at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park to take on Gisborne.
When these clubs met on Good Friday it was Gisborne which won a high-scoring match, 176-52 at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
Been a tough run for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat which has faced South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye the past two rounds.
Massive challenge for Kangaroos’ on-ballers Angus Macpherson, Kyle Symons and Zach Rouse against Boyd Nalder, Michelsen medallist Brad Bernacki, and Adam Brancatisano.
In the centre the Roos have Tyran Farmer to take on Shane Clough.
A Kangaroo Flat defence led by Daniel and Luke Stagg, Jake Hywood and Zach Bird is up against Zac Denahy, Pat McKenna, Dominic Sullivan and David Baynon.
Roos’ forwards Nick Lang and Nick Keogh will be opposed by Bulldogs’ captain Zach Vescovi and Harry Thomas.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne had Frank Schipano and Jed Denahy among the best in last week’s win on Golden Square’s ground.
Broadford has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Strathfieldsaye 176 per cent, 28 points; South Bendigo 167, 28; Gisborne 173, 24; Sandhurst 162, 24; Eaglehawk 138, 16; Castlemaine 125, 12; Golden Square 97, 8; Kangaroo Flat 57, 4; Broadford 10, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
31 Pat McKenna, Gis.
30 James Schischka, S’saye.
27 Michael Hartley, Cm.
25 Brock Harvey, SB.
19 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
18 Ben Thompson, Eh.
17 Nick Keogh, KF.
16 Pat Blake, S’saye; Fergus Greene, Sh.
14 Brody Haddow, SB; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.
13 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Alex Smith, SB; Tom Strauch, GS.
12 Archie Eaton, GS; James Frawley, SB; Archie Rixon, Cm; Jordan Rosengren, GS.
South Bgo v Kangaroo Flat 113 81 at Trott
1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 34, 37, 45
Coen harker, Brody Haddow, Zaydyn Lockwood, Hayden Geddes
Brock Harvey 6, Jack Fallon 4, Josh Nitschke 2, Coen Harker 2,
In the netball……KANGAROO Flat’s unbeaten run will be strongly challenged by Gisborne in this Saturday’s 10th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kangaroos and Bulldogs renew their great rivalry at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park from 2.30pm.
When these teams met in the season opener on Good Friday it was Kangaroo Flat which claimed a 42-39 victory at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have gone on to dominate most matches in an unbeaten streak of nine matches.
Latest hit-out for the Flat ended in a 71-40 victory against Strathfieldsaye on the Kangaroos’ court.
A strong squad in green and white includes Ruby Barkmeyer who was best on court in last September’s grand final win against Sandhurst and starred for the Bendigo FNL in this season’s inter-league clash with Ovens and Murray at the QEO.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne surged to a 58-36 win on Golden Square’s court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street last Saturday.
The team in red, white and blue is capable of turning up the pressure and will have to do so upset the reigning premier.
It’s an early start to the A-grade match between South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Bloods and Storm will be on the Neale Street court from 10am.
As South Bendigo had the bye last round the Jess Mangan-coached Storm was up against the powerful Kangaroo Flat line-up.
The Good Friday match between the Storm and Bloods ended in a 42-39 win for the Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Fourth and fifth in the premiership race, South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye are separated by four points.
Sandhurst will be back on its court at Queen Elizabeth Oval for Saturday’s showdown with Eaglehawk.
The Dragons and Hawks match will start at 2.30pm.
On Good Friday the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won on Eaglehawk’s court at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park by 21 goals.
The second-placed Dragons will start favourite to take the points.
Eaglehawk stayed in touch with the top five by scoring a 60-11 win on Broadford’s court at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Two Blues will aim for a significant lift in pressure against the Dragons.
Golden Square takes on Castlemaine from 3.20pm at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Golden Square was outplayed by Gisborne last round as Castlemaine faced Sandhurst the QEO.
When the Bulldogs and Magpies met on Good Friday the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square controlled a lot of the play to record a 71-32 victory.
A Castlemaine team coached by Vanessa Saunders beat Broadford a fortnight ago and starts this round a win behind Golden Square.
Broadford has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 205 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 159, 28; Gisborne 177, 24; South Bendigo 121, 20; Strathfieldsaye 101, 16; Eaglehawk 104, 12; Golden Square 86, 8; Castlemaine 46, 4; Broadford 30, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after nine rounds:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 161 per cent, 24 points; South Bendigo 131, 24; Gisborne 144, 20; Sandhurst 120, 20; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 69, 8; Golden Square 62, 4; Castlemaine 64, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 215 per cent, 32 points; South Bendigo 158, 28; Strathfieldsaye 120, 24; Kangaroo Flat 139, 20; Sandhurst 115, 16; Golden Square 87, 12; Broadford 51, 8; Eaglehawk 80, 4; Castlemaine 42, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 174 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 198, 28; South Bendigo 159, 24; Sandhurst 124, 20; Strathfieldsaye 119, 16; Eaglehawk 95, 12; Golden Square 89, 8; Castlemaine 45, 4; Broadford 27, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 184 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 188, 24; Strathfieldsaye 186, 24; Gisborne 126, 18; Eaglehawk 99, 18; Kangaroo Flat 108, 16; South Bendigo 87, 12; Castlemaine 43, 4; Broadford 25, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 393 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 185, 20; South Bendigo 92, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 12; Strathfieldsaye 80, 8; Kangaroo Flat 53, 4; Castlemaine 40, 0.