BY NATHAN DOLE
Huge clash for Dogs and Hawks at Golden Square
GREAT rivals Golden Square and Eaglehawk meet again in this Saturday’s 10th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
It’s fifth against fourth on the Bulldogs’ turf at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
When these clubs met in round one it was the Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk which won by 19 points.
There will be many crucial duels in the return bout.
In the centre, Golden Square has Jordan Rosengren to take on the in-form Joel Mullen.
Talented youngster Macey Eaton was named as ruck-rover where his opponent will be Hawks’ gun Billy Evans.
The Bulldogs attack will again be led by captain Jayden Burke, Jack Stewart and Kai Daniels as they take on Oscar Madden, Charlie Langford and Aydan Hanley.
Key targets in the Hawks forward line are Jonty Neaves and Cameron McGlashan who are well supported by Michell Ronchieri and Thomas Bennett.
Two of the league’s younger ruckmen in Tanner Rayner and Bailey Ilsley are likely to have a great battle.
South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye clash at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
The Bloods did play well to finish within 28 points of Strathfieldsaye at Triple M Park in round one.
Creating enough chances for dangerous forwards Steven Stroobants and Brock Harvey is a huge challenge for South Bendigo.
The smaller confines of the Kennington ground may make it easier for the Steven Stroobants and Isaiah Milller-coached Bloods to slow the fast-running game Storm brings.
South Bendigo will rely a lot on Anthony Zimmerman, Zac Sims and Brody Haddow to win at stoppages or not allow Storm to dominate clearances.
Big test for Bloods defenders Zac Hare, Matt McNaughton, Isaiah Miller and Alex Smith against James Schischka, Malik Gordon, Zach Charles and Abe Sheahan.
In-form players for the Luke Freeman-coached Storm include Riley Wilson, ruckman Tim Hosking, Lachlan Gill and Caleb Sheahan.
Storm also has talented youngsters Caleb Ernst and Jaidi Jackson-Leahy capable of winning plenty of the footy.
It’s an all-Magpies showdown between Maryborough and Castlemaine at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
These clubs played a great match to kick off the season on Good Friday.
It was Castlemaine which kicked clear in the second half after Maryborough had gained a near five-goal lead in the second quarter at Camp Reserve.
Injuries have significantly tested Maryborough’s depth all season.
Huge plus for Maryborough is the return of experienced on-baller/mid Joel Swatton who has not played since the round three clash with Gisborne.
Co-coach Coby Perry just keeps racking up the possessions and will again play a vitally important role in challenging Castlemaine.
Key defender Kya Lanfranchi keeps proving he is one of the league’s best each week.
The play of co-coach Matt Johnston, Alex Brown, Fraser Russell, Aidan Medlyn and Josh Britten will be important in staying competitive in every quarter.
There’s plenty of class in a Castlemaine team which has been a lot more competitive against the league’s big guns this season.
First-year coach Michael Hartley leads the Castlemaine attack on 38 goals and is sixth in the race for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker.
Captain Bailey Henderson, Matt Filo, Zavier Murley and Ryan Eyre will test the opposition with their hard running and skills.
Other players to watch for Castlemaine include Liam Wilkinson, Ben McConachy, John Watson, Brodie Byrne and Ashton Frankling.
Sandhurst faces Kangaroo Flat at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The unbeaten Dragons have a formidable attack which will again test the Roos.
Fergus Greene starts the game on 47 goals.
Back in the Dragons’ den after stints at AFL clubs Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, Greene’s been one of the recruits of the year.
Another is midfielder/on-baller Lachlan Tardrew who had an impressive VFL career which included being captain of Collingwood.
There will be no let-up in the intensity by the Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow-coached Dragons as competition for spots in the best 22 is heating up.
In-form players for the maroon and blue include Cobi Maxted, Cooper Smith, James Coghlan, Jake McLean and Isaac Ruff.
Been a tough two-week stretch for Kangaroo Flat which played at Gisborne last Saturday and now takes on the unbeaten ladder leader.
Huge challenge for the Roos midfield and on-ball brigade which includes Ethan Roberts, Jack Lefroy, Luke Ellings, Josh Leersen and Xav Dingfelder-Hope.
The Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos will also look for big games from the likes of Jake Hywood, key forward Harry Whitty, Lachlan Dalziel, Dion and Kyle Symons.
Gisborne has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 321 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 233, 28; Strathfieldsaye 169, 24; Eaglehawk 150, 20; Golden Square 123, 16; Castlemaine 85, 8; South Bendigo 76, 8; Kangaroo Flat 58, 8; Maryborough 12, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
47 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
38 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
32 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
29 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
25 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
23 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
21 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
20 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
18 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
17 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
16 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
16 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
15 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.
14 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
13 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
12 Zac Greeves, Castlemaine.
12 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
12 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
11 Lachlan Gill, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
11 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
10 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.
10 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.