PRESSURE is right on Strathfieldsaye and Castlemaine as the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season resumes this Saturday.
Round 12 after the break for inter-league features crucial matches at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park and Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Stung by an 11-point loss at Golden Square in round 11, Strathfieldsaye takes on Eaglehawk which is also on the rebound from defeat from 2.30pm at the Tannery Lane ground.
The Luke Freeman-coached Storm rolls into this round in fifth place, but just a win clear of Castlemaine and Golden Square.
Back in round five Strathfieldsaye could not halt Eaglehawk’s run to a six-goal win on its turf in Canterbury Park.
A Storm defence led Lachlan Ratcliffe, Kya Lanfranchi, Patrick Blandford and Cooper Jones takes on the likes of Jack O’Shannessy, Bailey Ilsley and Nick Thompson.
The Hawks also welcome back co-coach Clayton Holmes to the forward line after not playing since the seventh round.
A key to the chances of the Luke Freeman-coached Storm will be the on-ball duels where Tim Hosking, Shannon Murphy and Bode Stevens take on Brayden Frost, Billy and Tyh Evans.
Strathfieldsaye will look to Zach Charles, Seamus Doherty and Riley Wilson to cap off moves with goals.
Their task will not be easy against Jonty Neaves, Charlie Langford and Jack Donat who lead the defence of a Hawks team which has Travis Matheson as non-playing co-coach.
A highlight will be in the centre where Storm young gun Jaidi Jackson-Leahy will oppose Joel Budarick.
Castlemaine has to achieve reverse results from earlier in the season to be a chance of forcing its way into the top five.
The Michael Hartley-coached Magpies will be on their turf at Camp Reserve to take on Gisborne.
In round five, Gisborne marked a 21-point win against Castlemaine at Camp Reserve.
The Magpies played well to finish within 14 points of South Bendigo last round as Gisborne won at home against Eaglehawk by 15 points.
On Saturday the Castlemaine on-ball group of Patrik Balta, Jack Nuttall and Kalan Huntly takes on one of the competition’s best in Braidon Blake, Brad Bernacki and James Gray.
Magpies’ forwards Dylan Hickey, Zach Greeves, Will Moran and Jack Chester take on Jack Reaper, Zach Vescovi, Ryan Bourke and Jacob Floreani.
Castlemaine’s defence which includes Brodie Byrne and Harrison Sheahan faces a daunting task against Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore and Matt Merrett.
Beaten by 77 points in the clash for the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup with Sandhurst in round five, South Bendigo returns to Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on the Dragons.
A seven-four record has the Troy Coates and Jack Fallon-coached South Bendigo in fourth place, but just a victory behind Eaglehawk.
The Bloods face a huge test as Sandhurst sits atop the ladder on a 10-1 record.
Given enough supply, South Bendigo forwards Brock Harvey, Kaiden Antonowicz and Steven Stroobants will test Dragons defenders Will Brohm, James Coghlan and Jack Keating.
The Bloods welcome back ruckman/forward Zaydyn Lockwood from Bendigo Pioneers and on-baller Anthony Zimmerman.
One of the most crucial roles for South Bendigo will be played against Sandhurst co-coach and on-baller Lachlan Tardrew.
The Bloods named Jesse Collins as ruck-rover to team with ruckman Callum Crisp and Brody Haddow.
Whether it’s one opponent against Tardrew or a few who do so they must be prepared to run and keep running.
The Dragons have Hugh Schmetzer in the ruck against the in-form Crisp who was Bendigo’s number one ruckman against the Victorian Amateurs last Sunday at the QEO.
South Bendigo’s defence led by Alex Davis, Andrew van Heumen, Isaiah Miller and Tom Brereton will be up against Fergus Greene, Tom Campbell, Cobi Maxted and Jacob Austin.
The Dragons are jointly coached by Bryce Curnow.
Golden Square should add to its remarkable winning streak against Kangaroo Flat in the Bulldogs’ kennel in Wade Street.
The Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square will carry the momentum of a superb final quarter in which it beat Strathfieldsaye by 11 points.
A highlight will be the on-ball duel between Golden Square’s Jordan Rosengren and Kangaroo Flat captain Ethan Roberts.
Key players for the Bulldogs include Tom Strauch in the centre, captain Jayden Burke, Luke Holt at centre half-back, Zack Shelton and ruckman Daniel Keating.
The Bulldogs have the run and skill of Harrison Burke, Brodie James, Harrison Kelly, Ollie Eaton and Zac Wescott.
Riley Dillon is also back from the Pioneers to team up with Jack Stewart, Xavier Carter and Jack McMahon in Golden Square’s attack.
Huge plus for Kangaroo Flat is the return of Jeremy Rodi who did not play last round because of assistant coaching commitments with the Pioneers in Coates Talent League.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos will look to Zach Rouse, ruckman Angus Macpherson, Nick Lang, Zach Bird, Sam Barnes and Josh Leersen to lead the way in terms of keeping the heat on the opposition.
A young line-up representing Kangaroo Flat includes Xavier Coghill, Harrsion Jackman and Aaron Melis.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 255 per cent, 40 points; Gisborne 147, 36; Eaglehawk 165, 32; South Bendigo 130, 28; Strathfieldsaye 83, 16; Castlemaine 73, 12; Golden Square 66, 12; Kangaroo Flat 29, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
32 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
30 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
28 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
27 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
26 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
20 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
18 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
18 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
17 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.
16 Clayton Holmes, Eaglehawk.
16 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
16 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
16 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
15 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
15 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
15 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
14 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
14 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
14 Cooper Jones, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
14 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.