TWO breed of Bulldog will fight for victory as Gisborne and Golden Square clash in the 18th and final round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s senior footy home-and-away series.
Both clubs have generated a tremendous rivalry across the past two decades and meet for the final time in Bendigo Bank Round.
It will be the last time Gisborne hosts Golden Square as they play at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne will start favourite, but will be wary of a Golden Square team which upset Strathfieldsaye last round.
A key for Gisborne will be more support for gun forward Pat McKenna in attack as the club builds up for another finals campaign.
McKenna kicked seven goals in last Saturday’s clash with Sandhurst to now lead the race for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker by 13.
A Gisborne attack which includes Harry Luxmoore, Matt Merrett, Shane Clough and Dominic Sullivan will test Golden Square.
Players to watch for Gisborne include on-baller/mid Brad Bernacki, rover Flynn Lakey, Dylan Johnstone, and captain and key defender Zach Vescovi.
There was plenty to like about Golden Square’s performance to beat Strathfieldsaye by 39 points.
The blue and gold take plenty of confidence and momentum from that contest down the Calder to Gisborne’s ground.
It was young guns such as Archie and Macey Eaton, Zac Wescott and Noah Warfe who were outstanding in beating Storm.
The play of Jordan Rosengren, Jack McMahon in the centre, Jack Stewart, Isaac Corvo at full-back, and Tom Strauch will be crucial in Golden Square ending the season on a high.
It’s also the final game of a three-season stint for Brad Eaton as Bulldogs’ coach.
This year Eaton joined forces with Liam Barrett, playing, to guide a young Golden Square squad.
Castlemaine is back on home turf at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve to play Sandhurst.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine is assured of finishing in sixth place, but will be determined to claim a long-awaited victory against the Dragons.
Pressure and workrate in every quarter will be a key to the Magpies’ bid for an upset win.
Key players for Castlemaine include Jacob Bauer, Michael Hartley, Kalan Huntly, Darby Semmens, Harrison Sheahan and John Watson.
The Magpies’ on-ballers and midfielders are up against the hard-running and skilful Cooper Smith, Dayten Uerata and Matt Wilkinson.
A strong attack for Sandhurst includes Cobi Maxted, Hugh Schmetzer and the experienced Nick Stagg.
It’s been a superb effort by a Dragons’ team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, to be two wins clear at the top of the ladder and bound for a second semi-final appearance.
Eaglehawk returns from the bye for a home game against Broadford at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
When these clubs met in round nine it was the Borough which won by 208 points at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Nick Thompson kicked seven goals in Eaglehawk’s last win at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve and will be a major threat to the Kangaroos as will Jacquin Mifsud, Lewin Davis and Blake McGregor.
The Hawks forwards will be on the end of plenty of supply generated by the likes of Billy Evans, Tyh Evans, ruckman Callum Heath, Joel Mullen, Thomas Bennett, Ben Thompson and Oscar White.
Another massive challenge for Broadford in the finale to its debut season in the Bendigo FNL.
Key players for the Nathan Thompson-coached Kangaroos include captain Adam Miles, Seb Morris, ruckman Owen Sloan, Isaac Smithwick, Jayden Welch, and Ben and Louis Thompson.
Stung by a loss on Golden Square’s ground, Strathfieldsaye is back at Triple M Park to take on Kangaroo Flat.
Defeat could send the Jeff Andrews-coached Storm toppling from the second rung to an elimination final as Gisborne and Eaglehawk have greater percentage.
There’s plenty at stake for the Strathfieldsaye line-up which has an 11-4 record.
Storm is likely to have a much stronger team this round.
A strong squad includes James Schischka, Zach Charles and Drew Lloyd in attack, a defence led by Lachlan Ratcliffe and Cooper Jones, and the play of Daniel Clohesy and Riley Wilson at centre ball-ups and stoppages.
Strathfieldsaye also welcomes back Jed Brereton, Tyce Griffin, Aydan Hand, Archer Lancaster, Kya Lanfranchi, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Tyson McKenzie, Riley Mulquiny,
When the Storm played at Kangaroo Flat in round nine it won by 76 points.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos have improved markedly since then.
Kangaroo Flat put in a superb effort to be within 13 points of South Bendigo last round.
In-form players for the Kangaroos include Tyran Farmer, Nick Lang, ruckman Angus Macpherson, Aaron Nevins, Jarrell Ratcliffe and co-captains Ethan Roberts and Kyle Symons.
The play of Mitch Collins, Zac Featherby, Max Johnson, Josh Leersen, Jeremy Rodi will be crucial to the Kangaroos springing an upset win in Storm territory.
South Bendigo has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder after 17 rounds:
Sandhurst 185 per cent, 52 points; Strathfieldsaye 155, 44; South Bendigo 147, 44; Gisborne 184, 40; Eaglehawk 159, 40; Castlemaine 117, 24; Golden Square 98, 16; Kangaroo Flat 60, 12; Broadford 10, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
74 Pat McKenna, Gis.
60 Brock Harvey, SB; James Schischka, S’saye.
34 Nick Keogh, KF.
31 Michael Hartley, Cm.
30 Cobi Maxted, Sh.
27 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
26 Ben Thompson, Eh.
25 Fergus Greene, Sh.
24 Jordan Rosengren, GS.
23 Dominic Sullivan, Gis; Nick Thompson, Eh.
22 Brody Haddow, SB; Oliver Morris, Sh.
20 Brad Bernacki, Sh; Jacquin Mifsud, Eh.
19 Nick Lang, KF: Jack McMahon, GS; Harrison Sheahan, Cm.
18 Bailey Henderson, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Tom Strauch, GS; Oscar White, Eh.
17 Pat Blake, S’saye; Zach Charles, S’saye; Zac Denahy, Gis.; Jack O’Shannessy, Eh; Anthony Zimmerman, SB.
16 Archie Eaton, GS; James Gray, Gis.; Jack Stewart, GS.
15 Alex Smith-Ralph, SB.
In the netball action…….UNLESS Strathfieldsaye and Broadford complete the upset of the decade the top four A-grade netball teams will tune up for Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL finals in this Saturday’s 18th and final round.
Sixth on the ladder, Strathfieldsaye is on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on the unbeaten Kangaroo Flat.
The clash between Storm and the Roos will start at 2.30pm.
When these teams met in round nine the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat scored a 71-40 victory on its court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
The Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye played well to score a 67-50 victory on Golden Square’s court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street last Saturday.
Massive task for Storm against the reigning premier which will be aiming to keep its unbeaten record intact.
First pass in Saturday’s matches for A-grade will be at 2pm at Eaglehawk’s C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk will take on Broadford.
Victory will put the Borough into an elimination final against South Bendigo.
In round nine the Hawks won at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve by 49 goals.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford worked incredibly hard to secure its first premiership points in A-grade as it drew last Saturday’s match with Castlemaine.
It was 37-all in the showdown of the Kangaroos and Magpies in Broadford.
This Saturday marks the final time Gisborne will play a home-and-away match at Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne faces Golden Square from 2.30pm at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval.
A 44-40 victory against Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval last Saturday meant Gisborne leapfrogged the Dragons to the second rung.
No matter the result in this round, Gisborne will meet Sandhurst in the qualifying final to be played on August 29 at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
It’s the final hit-out of the season for the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square which will be determined to put in a strong performance.
Castlemaine will play Sandhurst at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 2.30pm.
In round nine the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst beat the Magpies on the QEO court by 33 goals.
The Dragons will be fired up after last Saturday’s defeat.
Huge test for a young Castlemaine team which is coached by Vanessa Saunders.
South Bendigo has the bye
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition after 17 rounds:
Kangaroo Flat 195 per cent, 60 points; Gisborne 177, 48; Sandhurst 167, 48; South Bendigo 120, 36; Eaglehawk 101, 28; Strathfieldsaye 90, 28; Golden Square 92, 16; Castlemaine 46, 6; Broadford 30, 2.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 17 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 147 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 148, 46; Gisborne 135, 32; Sandhurst 108, 32; Eaglehawk 97, 26; Strathfieldsaye 75, 12; Golden Square 65, 8; Castlemaine 60, 8.
B-grade:
Gisborne 216 per cent, 60 points; South Bendigo 132, 48; Strathfieldsaye 126, 48; Kangaroo Flat 128, 42; Sandhurst 112, 28; Golden Square 84, 20; Eaglehawk 86, 14; Broadford 61, 12; Castlemaine 43, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 179 per cent, 56 points; Gisborne 179, 50; South Bendigo 142, 48; Strathfieldsaye 133, 42; Sandhurst 115, 32; Eaglehawk 90, 20; Golden Square 93, 16; Castlemaine 54, 4; Broadford 25, 4.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 181 per cent, 52 points; Golden Square 163, 48; Strathfieldsaye 160, 44; South Bendigo 98, 32; Kangaroo Flat 116, 30; Eaglehawk 96, 30; Gisborne 118, 28; Castlemaine 51, 8; Broadford 27, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 310 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 193, 40; South Bendigo 101, 32; Eaglehawk 86, 24; Strathfieldsaye 81, 12; Kangaroo Flat 56, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.