BY NATHAN DOLE
Gisborne aims to end Dragons streak
GISBORNE will be striving to break Sandhurst’s unbeaten run in this Saturday’s 11th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
It’s second against first as Gisborne hosts Sandhurst at Gardiner Reserve from 2.20pm.
When these clubs met in round two it was the Dragons who claimed a 15-point victory at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Sandhurst team coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, will be fighting to mark a 10th consecutive victory.
That task will not be easy on Gisborne’s turf.
Although it will be without gun ruckman Braidon Blake because of concussion protocols, Gisborne on-ballers Brad Bernacki, Flynn Lakey and Jackson Cardillo are capable of winning plenty of the footy.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs have moved Jack Scanlon from attack to the ruck.
On-ball duels will be a highlight, especially the play of Sandhurst captain Lachlan Tardrew who is likely to have polled plenty of votes in the Michelsen medal race.
There’s plenty of goalkicking power in both line-ups.
A talented Gisborne attack includes premiership-winning captain Pat McKenna, Zac Denany and Harry Luxmoore.
Back at Sandhurst after a stint with AFL clubs Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, Fergus Greene has kicked 52 goals to be leading the charge for the Ron Best Medal as leading goalkicker.
The Dragons also have Cobi Maxted and Tanner Nally to test a Gisborne defence led by Jack Reaper, Zach Vescovi and Jed Denany.
At selection, Sandhurst recalled premiership player Nick Stagg.
The Dragons also brought in hard-at-it mid/forward Brodie Montague for his first senior game of the season.
Big roles for the maroon and blue will be played by James Coghlan, Zach Pallpratt, Lachlan Wright and Connor Sexton.
Strathfieldsaye’s fierce rivalry with Golden Square will be renewed at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
In his first year as Storm’s senior coach, Luke Freeman has chalked up a seven-two record.
The run by Strathfieldsaye includes a 77-49 victory at Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in round two.
Storm has the marking power of James Schischka, Caleb Ernst and Malik Gordon to test the Bulldogs defence.
They have often capitalised on the hard work of an on-ball and midfield group that includes Lachlan Gill, Matt Harvey, ruckman Tim Hosking, Daniel Clohesy and Bode Stevens.
Big roles for the Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square will be played by ruckman Tanner Rayner, Jon Coe in defence, Jordan Rosengren in the centre, and captain Jayden Burke at full-forward.
Premiership player Ricky Monti brings plenty of run and skill to the Golden Square line-up.
Monti has played five games with the Dogs this season and six with Essendon in the VFL.
One of many talented youngsters in Square’s squad, Harrison Kelly is back for his first senior game since the round four win against Kangaroo Flat.
The Bulldogs have also brought in Melvic Pambai who previously played for White Hills under-18s and for Seymour Lions in for his first senior game with the club.
Kangaroo Flat will be back home at Dower Park to play Maryborough.
The Michael Ellings-coached Kangaroos have not won since round three against South Bendigo.
Roos’ midfielder Luke Ellings and the classy Jack Lefroy were the Roos’ best in last Saturday’s coash with Sandhurst at the QEO.
Kangaroo Flat’s team to take on Maryborough includes Ethan Roberts, Harry Whitty, Daniel and Luke Stagg, Toby Roberts, and Toby Balcke.
Been a daunting run for Maryborough, but the play of co-coach Coby Perry to keep winning contest after contest is outstanding.
The Magpies have Kya Lanfranchi in great touch in defence.
Joel Swatton will be up against one of his former clubs and determined to play well.
Maryborough’s team to tackle the Roos includes Fraser Russell, Aidan Medlyn, co-coach Matt Johnston, Josh Britten and Alex Brown.
Castlemaine clashes with South Bendigo in the Magpies’ nest at Camp Reserve.
The Magpies have already surpassed last season’s tally of two wins.
First-year coach Michael Hartley and his team will be doing all they can to achieve some more.
It starts with a showdown with the Bloods who beat Castlemaine by seven goals in round two at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Will be another big challenge for the Magpies to limit the quality and quantity of supply to Bloods forwards Brock Harvey and Steven Stroobants.
A talented Castlemaine attack includes Michael Hartley, Zac Greeves and captain Bailey Henderson.
Ryan Eyre, Matt Filo, Zavier Murley and Jack Chester will be driving forces in the Magpies’ moves.
Crucial roles for the Steven Stroobants and Isaiah Miller-coached South Bendigo will be played by ruck-rover Brody Haddow, Anthony Zimmerman, captain Zac Hare and William Marks.
Young Bloods such as Zaydn Lockwood and Zavier Holmes have the athleticism and marking strength to test their opponents.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 328 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 233, 28; Strathfieldsaye 176, 28; Eaglehawk 141, 20; Golden Square 124, 20; Castlemaine 105, 12; South Bendigo 71, 8; Kangaroo Flat 53, 8; Maryborough 13, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
52 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
43 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
33 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
32 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
29 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
28 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
25 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
23 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
22 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
21 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
19 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
18 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
17 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
16 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
14 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
14 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
13 Zac Greeves, Castlemaine.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
12 Lachlan Gill, Strathfieldsaye.
12 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
12 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
11 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
10 Zach Charles, Strathfieldsaye.
10 Joel Mullen, Eaglehawk.
10 Mitchell Ronchieri, Eaglehawk.
10 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
10 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.