BY NATHAN DOLE
Bloods eye chance to pass Bulldogs
SOUTH Bendigo will aim to climb above Golden Square on the A-grade netball ladder in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s 17th round on Saturday.
It’s Bendigo Bank Round with matches being played in Kennington, Gisborne, Maryborough, and at Bendigo’s iconic Queen Elizabeth Oval.
South Bendigo and Golden Square will meet at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.
Just four points separate sixth and seventh.
Although South Bendigo is a win behind the blue and gold, it is more than three per cent in front of its opponent.
It was a great clash when these teams met in round eight on Golden Square’s court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
On that occasion the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square fought on to score a 38-36 victory.
This Saturday will be Golden Square’s final match of the home-and-away series as it has the bye in the 18th round.
The Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods round out their season by playing Golden Square and then head to Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Reigning premier Gisborne is a strong chance to regain top spot on the ladder when it hosts Castlemaine at Gardiner Reserve.
A record of 11 wins and one defeat has the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne in second place going into this round.
The red, white and blue is in great form approaching its showdown with the Magpies and then on Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park court in the last hit-out before finals.
Massive challenge for a Castlemaine team aiming to rebound from last Saturday’s big loss on its court at Camp Reserve against Kangaroo Flat.
In round eight, Gisborne was under pressure for a long time before it broke away to record a 10-goal win against the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine.
Sandhurst will be back on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on Strathfieldsaye.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has a 10-2 record and will start favourite to take the points.
The Dragons always bring a high level of defensive heat to every match.
Latest hit-out for the maroon and blue ended in a 45-goal win on Eaglehawk’s court in Canterbury Park.
Facing Sandhurst follows Strathfieldsaye’s game against Gisborne last round.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm will be keen to perform well in the lead-up to the elimination final on September 1 against Eaglehawk.
It’s a rest for the Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk as the Two Blues are drawn to play Marborough.
The Hawks will take on the Magpies in all other grades of netball at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 218 per cent, 44 points; Gisborne 187, 44; Sandhurst 180, 40; Strathfieldsaye 88, 24; Eaglehawk 70, 24; Golden Square 63, 12; South Bendigo 66, 8; Castlemaine 49, 4.