BY NATHAN DOLE
Grand finalists clash on Gisborne’s court
A REMATCH of last September’s grand finalists, Gisborne and Sandhurst highlights this Saturday’s 11th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Gisborne has home-court advantage at Gardiner Reserve as third takes on first from 2.30pm.
These clubs have had terrific battles for many seasons.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat the Dragons by a goal in last year’s grand final.
When these teams met in round two of this season it was Gisborne which beat the maroon and blue by four goals at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Victory in last Friday night’s match against Kangaroo Flat under the QEO lights has put the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst on top of the ladder.
The Dragons fired up for a 47-42 victory in a round where Gisborne had the bye.
Another important match will be at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve where the Magpies take on South Bendigo.
The Magpies and the Bloods will be determined to end their winless run.
In round two it was the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine which won 41-27 on South Bendigo’s court at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Castlemaine had a break last round as the A-grade team was drawn to play at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
The Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods started the season with a two-goal win on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park.
It’s been a tough run since then.
South Bendigo will have gained plenty of confidence from last week’s showing against Strathfieldsaye.
Although beaten by three goals there was plenty to like about the play by the team in red and white.
Strathfieldsaye will be at home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Golden Square.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm starts the round in fourth place.
Although it won the previous clash with Golden Square by 20 goals, Strathfieldsaye is likely to face a much stronger challenge from the Teigan Redwood-coached blue and gold this time.
It’s a rest for Kangaroo Flat in A-grade, but the Roos will host Maryborough in the lower grades at Dower Park.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Sandhurst 185 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 180, 24; Gisborne 138, 24; Strathfieldsaye 92, 16; Eaglehawk 78, 16; Golden Square 61, 8; South Bendigo 65, 4; Castlemaine 64, 4.