BY NATHAN DOLE
Castlemaine kicks off crucial two week test
CASTLEMAINE kicks off a crucial two week test when it plays at Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in Saturday’s 12th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
A win-loss tally of four-six has the Michael Hartley-coached Castlemaine in sixth place ahead of the 2.20pm showdown in Wade Street.
The Magpies start the round a win and five per cent behind the fifth-placed Golden Square.
When these clubs met in round three it was the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs who finished the best to claim a 78-66 victory.
For Castlemaine to push for a top-five finish and qualify for finals it needs to claim an upset win or two.
First up is Golden Square and then at home against Eaglehawk next round.
Beating the Bulldogs at the Wade Street ground will not be an easy task for the Pies.
A strong on-ball group in the blue and gold includes the classy Ricky Monti who was best for Bendigo in last Saturday’s inter-league match against the Victorian AFA in Brighton.
Huge plus for the Bulldogs is the return of Terence Reeves for his first senior game since round nine against Kangaroo Flat last season.
Injury meant Reeves was on the sidelines as Golden Square charged to last September’s premiership victory.
The Bulldogs team to tackle the Magpies includes captain Jayden Burke, Jack Stewart, Jon Coe, Jack Threlfall, Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch and Luke Holt.
The play of youngsters Macey Eaton and Harrison Kelly, and by ruckman/forward Kai Daniels who has played 10 senior games have been highs in Square’s run so far.
Castlemaine has the marking power of Hartley and Zach Greeves in attack to test the Dogs’ defence.
A key for the Magpies will be their run and teamwork through midfield and from stoppages.
Expect big games from the likes of Kalan Huntly, captain Bailey Henderson, Ryan Eyre, Callum McConachy and Liam Wilkinson.
A premiership winner with Golden Square in ’23, Zavier Murley returns to the ground as a Castlemaine player.
Another big match will be at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park where the Borough takes on Strathfieldsaye.
The Travis Matheson-coached Hawks can still grab a top-three finish, but must beat Storm to do so.
Margin was nine points in favour of the the Luke Freeman-coached Storm when it played the Hawks in round three at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye.
Two huge inclusions for Eaglehawk are Kallen Geary and ruckman Brayden Frost.
A multiple premiership winner in his time at Storm, Kallen Geary has not played since the round five win against Kangaroo Flat.
Among the opposition will be his older brother, Shannon, a star in many of Storm’s wins.
Eaglehawk also welcomes back Pala Kuma who had not played since the round four victory against Castlemaine.
A highlight will be the midfield contests where Eaglehawk has Clayton Holmes, Joel Mullen and Brady Rowles to take on Jai Featherby, Daniel Clohesy and Shannon Murphy.
Team-mates for Bendigo last Saturday, Charlie Langford and James Schischka could spend a fair amount of time as opponents.
Big test for a Hawks defence that includes Dylan Hanley, Pala Kuma, Jack and Sam Thompson against Caleb Ernst, Abe Sheahan, Riley Wilson and Zach Grieve.
A Hawks’ attack led by Jonty Neaves, Jack O’Shannessy and Cameron McGlashan takes on Lachlan Ratcliffe, Patrick Blandford and Cooper Jones.
South Bendigo will be back on home turf at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to take on Kangaroo Flat.
A win is likely to put the Steve Stroobants and Isaiah Miller-coached South Bendigo above the Roos on the ladder.
When they met in round three it was Kangaroo Flat which won 121-94.
A South Bendigo attack led by Stroobants and Brock Harvey will test the Roos.
The ability of the Roos to limit or affect the Bloods’ moves forward of centre was a key to victory in round three.
Key players for the red and white include Brody Haddow, Anthony Zimmerman, captain Zac Hare and Alex Smith.
In a season where he has played 10 matches for the Bendigo Pioneers in the Coates Talent League, athletic big man Zaydyn Lockwood is in the Bloods line-up.
Roos’ midfielders Ethan Roberts and Luke Ellings have been in outstanding form all season.
Other key players for the Michael Ellings-coached Roos include Harry Whitty in attack, Jack Lefroy, Jake Hywood, Daniel Stagg, Kyle Symons and Isaac Lowndes.
Maryborough will be on home turf at Princes Park to take on Gisborne which ended Sandhurst’s unbeaten run last round.
Another massive challenge for the Coby Perry and Matt Johnston-coached Magpies.
Maryborough played well to score 48 points at Kangaroo Flat last round, but is up against a formidable Gisborne line-up.
Bulldogs’ ruckman Braidon Blake returns from injury to again team with Brad Bernacki, Jackson Cardillo and Flynn Lakey.
There’s no rest for gun forward Pat McKenna after the inter-league match.
A strong Gisborne team includes Harry Luxmoore in attack, Bendigo FNL captain Jack Reaper, Jed Denahy and Zac Vescovi in defence.
Been a tough run for the Coby Perry and Matt Johnston-coached Maryborough all season.
The Magpies will be doing all they can to compete as strong and for as long as they can against the Bulldogs.
Marybortogh will again look to Kya Lanfranchi, Joel Swatton and Aidan Medlyn to lead the way.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 293 per cent, 36 points; Gisborne 216, 32; Strathfieldsaye 175, 32; Eaglehawk 141, 20; Golden Square 118, 20; Castlemaine 113, 16; Kangaroo Flat 63, 12; South Bendigo 68, 8; Maryborough 14, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
56 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
43 James Schischka, Strathfieldsaye.
34 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
34 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
34 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
29 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
27 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
26 Jack Stewart, Golden Square.
22 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
21 Jayden Burke, Golden Square.
20 Bailey Henderson, Castlemaine.
20 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
19 Harry Whitty, Kangaroo Flat.
18 Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye.
18 Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
17 Zac Denahy, Gisborne.
15 Abe Sheahan, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Bryce Curnow, Sandhurst.
13 Zac Greeves, Castlemaine.
13 Matt Merrett, Gisborne.
13 Darcy Richards, Eaglehawk.
12 Lachlan Gill, Strathfieldsaye.
12 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
11 Zach Charles, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
11 Noah Walsh, Sandhurst.
10 Joel Mullen, Eaglehawk.
10 Mitchell Ronchieri, Eaglehawk.
10 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
10 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.