PLENTY of changes have been made to Kangaroo Flat’s and Golden Square’s teams for Saturday’s clash to complete round six in the Bendigo Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
The Roos are up against their long-time nemesis at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
Kangaroo Flat has not beaten Golden Square since the 2001 season.
The Roos have made six changes to the line-up which was beaten at Strathfieldsaye in the sixth round.
At Golden Square, seven players are ‘ins’ after a hard-fought 19-point victory at Maryborough’s Barkers Oval in Princes Park.
Kangaroo Flat regains the consistent Tom Gillespie in the centre, along with Dane Spear at half-back, and talented forward Hakeem Johnson.
Also in for the James Flaherty-coached Roos are Riley Bouwmeester, Will Copeland and Lachlan Tranter.
The Roos go into this clash without Mitch Holt, Brodie Fry, Kyle Franzini, Darcy McClure, Dylan Barber and Keagan Geran.
The play of captain and No.1 ruckman Nick Lang, ruck-rover Mitch Trewhella, Nathan McHugh, Jake Hywood and Josh Leersen in defence, Kevin Clark and Max Johnson in attack will be crucial to Flat’s chances.
Golden Square regains key forward Jayden Burke and defender Jon Coe, and has also brought in Harry Burke, Lachlan Humphrey, Alex Jenkyn, Jack Sampson and Jack Threlfall
Captain and gun onballer Jack Geary is out for this clash, along with Drew Barrett, Callum Draper, Brodie James, Ricky Monti, Zavier Murley and Will Thrum.
Among the highs of the Bulldogs win at Maryborough was a three-goal haul by Tom Strauch in just his fifth senior game.
There are plenty of rising stars in the Golden Square line-up.
Those under the 15-game mark include Paul Symons, 12; Kyle Stevens, 11; Zack Shelton, eight; and Dean Norris, one.
They are surrounded by the experience of Matt Compston, Harry Donegan, Will Lee, Dale Lowry, Hamish Morcom and Jake Thrum.
The four leading goalkickers are in Golden Square’s team.
Jake Thrum’s tally of 16 includes nine in the season opener at Kyneton.
The classy Joel Brett, 12; Jayden Burke, 10; and Symons, eight, will test the Roos’ defence.
Kangaroo Flat’s attack is led by Kevin Clark and Brodie Fry, six, and Max Johnson, three.
The senior clash kicks off at 4pm.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 229 per cent, 24 points; Eaglehawk 259, 16; Gisborne 179, 16; Strathfieldsaye 159, 16; South Bendigo 118, 16; Golden Square 136, 12; Kyneton 94, 12; Maryborough 61, 4; Kangaroo Flat 23, 0; Castlemaine 17, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole.