SANDHURST will be aiming to extend its winning streak against Eaglehawk when they meet in Saturday’s second semi-final in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
After kicking off the finals series at Harry Trott Oval and Triple M Park last weekend it’s back to Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street.
It’s the home of Sandhurst FNC which ended the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
The Dragons will take on the Borough from 2.20pm.
Sandhurst and Eaglehawk met on Easter Saturday where the maroon and blue won by 38 points on the turf of the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk at C and O Oval in Canterbury Park.
In round 10 the Dragons won 69-48 against the Two Blues on the QEO.
As Sandhurst had a rest last weekend Eaglehawk dominated the second half of the qualifying final against Strathfieldsaye to win by 29 points.
A key factor for a Dragons’ team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, will be the workrate of the on-ballers and midfield.
Sandhurst ruckman Connor Sexton faces a huge challenge against the in-form Callum Heath.
At ground level the Dragons have captain Cooper Smith, Matt Wilkinson and Dayten Uerata up against Joel Mullen, captain Billy Evans and Ben Thompson.
Sandhurst defenders Jaxon Howard, Liam Ireland and Jack Keating are up against the in-form Jacquin Mifsud, Nick Thompson and Lewin Davis.
The Hawks welcome back Holmes to the attack, but will be without talented forward Bailey Ilsley who starts a two-match ban after an early guilty plea for rough conduct.
Eaglehawk regains Noah Wheeler from suspension, but is without talented defender Charlie Langford because of concussion protocols.
A strong Sandhurst attack has the marking power of Cobi Maxted, Hugh Schmetzer and Lachlan Wright and the skill of Nick Stagg, Jacob Austin and Oliver Morris at ground level.
Massive roles will be played in the Hawks’ defence by Jonty Neaves, Dylan Hanley and Tyh Evans.
On Sunday it will be Strathfieldsaye and Gisborne fighting to stay in the race for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup when they contest the first semi-final from 2.20pm.
Storm is on the rebound from a qualifying final defeat and has a re-jigged forward line following the suspensions of James Schischka, three matches for rough conduct; and Drew Lloyd, one game for striking.
Gisborne rolls into this contest following a 52-point win against South Bendigo in the elimination final.
A key for the Jeff Andrews-coached Storm will be control of play through stoppages and the midfield.
Strathfieldsaye has Jed Brereton in the ruck to team with Daniel Clohesy, Riley Mulquiny and Jaidi Jackson-Leahy.
It will be a terrific contest between Storm’s on-ballers and the in-form Lucas Carnell, Brad Bernacki, Adam Brancatisano and Dylan Johnstone for the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne.
A lot of the responsibility in Strathfieldsaye’s attack will now be shouldered by Zach Charles, Siologa Siu, Tyson McKenzie and Riley Wilson.
Storm also has talented youngsters Hugh Behrens and Tyce Griffin capable of having an impact in attack.
They take on a Gisborne defence led by Zach Vescovi, Harry Thomas, Will Elliott and Frank Schipano.
Strathfieldsaye defenders Archer Lancaster, Ben Lester, Kya Lanfranchi, Lachlan Ratcliffe and Hunter Lawrence face a huge challenge against Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore, Shane Clough, Zac Denahy and Matt Merrett.
For the winner it’s a preliminary final showdown with the Dragons or Hawks.
Defeat will mark the end of Gisborne’s run as the club joins the Ballarat FNL from next season.
In the Drummond Golf reserves competition it’s South Bendigo against Sandhurst from 12.15pm.
A win-loss tally of 14-1 meant South Bendigo finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
The Bloods’ only defeat was to Sandhurst by 17 points at the QEO in the 15th round.
Sandhurst won last Saturday’s qualifying final against Eaglehawk by 29 points as Gus Hay, Finlay Lockhart, Will Long, Charlie Robinson, Jonty Davis and Fraser Walsh were best.
The Dragons’ squad for the second semi includes Oscar Cail, Patrick O’Farrell, Wil Pinniger and Daniel Noden.
Players to watch for South Bendigo include Cohen Balnaves, Toby Hardingham, Regan Harvey, Wil McCaig, Will Purcell and Thomas Starr.
On Sunday it will be Eaglehawk against Strathfieldsaye in the reserves.
The Hawks will be keen to hit back from their qualifying final defeat.
Strathfieldsaye won the elimination final against Kangaroo Flat by two goals.
The Hawks beat Storm by five and 16 points in the regular season.
Eaglehawk’s squad includes Cahlan Blandthorn, Aydan, Ethan and Jakeb Hanley, Jordan Mangan, Jack O’Shannessy, Jackson Vroom and Ryan Wellington.
Players to watch for Storm include Sam Heavyside, Jai Featherby, Charles Dole, Jordan Wilson, Marco Mentha, Scout Hatcher, Declan Lowther, Nate Rodda and Alex Wingrave.
In the Sportspower under-18s it’s Strathfieldsaye against South Bendigo in the second semi-final which starts at 10.15am.
A 15-1 run by Strathfieldsaye includes wins against the Bloods by 38 and six points.
As Storm had a rest last weekend, South Bendigo scored a 15-point win against Sandhurst in the qualifying final.
Best for the Bloods were Logan Howell, Lachlan Magee, Campbell Wood, Rylan Newman, Riley Davey and Sebastian Gray.
South Bendigo’s squad to front Storm includes Max Kornmann, Zavier Ralphs and Harry Warne.
Strathfieldsaye has Riley O’Donnell and Jake Schubert as captain and vice-captain.
Storm’s squad includes Ezekiel Cousins, Jack DeAraugo, Mack Elkington, Charlie Elliott, Ben Jorgensen and Sam O’Bree.
On Sunday it will be Sandhurst and Castlemaine fighting to stay in the premiership race.
In round nine it was Castlemaine which soared for a 38-35 win against the Dragons on the QEO.
Sandhurst won at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve in the 18th round by 43 points.
Best for Sandhurst in the qualifying final were Drew Warren, Thomas Smith, Jaxon Kelly, Luke Cameron, Patrick McNamara and Harry Byrne.
The Magpies won the elimination final against Golden Square by 49 points as Brian Shafik-Eid, gun forward Jack Archer, Angus Fitzgerald, Harper Kneebone, Ben Lalit and Riley Skinner led the way.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
Sportspower under-18s at 10.15am: Strathfieldsaye v South Bendigo.
Drummond Golf reserves at 12.15pm: South Bendigo v Sandhurst.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
Sportspower under-18s at 10.15am: Sandhurst v Castlemaine.
Drummond Golf reserves at 12.15pm: Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne.
In the netball action……..KANGAROO Flat’s unbeaten streak in A-grade netball is under threat from Gisborne as they meet in Saturday’s second semi-final in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action.
The Kangaroos and Bulldogs will play on the Queen Elizabeth Oval showcourt from 3.20pm.
A Kangaroo Flat line-up coached by Jayden Cowling will start favourite to progress to another grand final.
The Roos tipped off their quest for back-to-back premierships by winning the first-round match at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve by three goals.
When they met in round 10 the Kangaroos bound away to claim a 57-47 victory on their court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
As the Roos had a rest on the first weekend of the finals the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne won the qualifying final against Sandhurst by three goals.
A strong squad for Kangaroo Flat includes mid-court ace Chelsea Sartori who earnt the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best in 2023 and ’24.
Another league medallist is Roos’ team-mate Ashley Ryan who did so with Eaglehawk seven seasons ago.
In attack Kangaroo Flat has Ruby Barkmeyer and Teal Hocking who team superbly.
The Roos’ line-up includes Alicia McGlashan, Ava Lowndes, Abbey Ryan and Megan Wilson.
Key players for Gisborne include co-captains Kirby Elliott and Charlee Kemp.
The team in red, white and blue will look to Torie Skrijel and Charlee Duff-Tytler to finish off atacking moves.
Gisborne is also represented by Amity Drayton, Emerson Lakey, Emily Miles and Tilly Shepherd.
On Sunday it will be Sandhurst against South Bendigo in the A-grade first semi-final.
The Dragons and Bloods were long-time co-tenants at the QEO.
It’s been many seasons since South Bendigo has beaten Sandhurst in the top grade.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won the round six match on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington by 13 goals.
Scores were 53-42 in favour of the maroon and blue at the end of the round 15 match at the QEO.
There is plenty of experience in a Sandhurst squad which includes dual Betty Thompson medallist Heather Oliver, and last year’s medal winner Shae Clifford.
Sandhurst is also represented by Claire McGee, Kelsey Ralph, Rebecca Smith, Ruby Turner, Darcy and Harriet Whiteacre, Meg Williams, and Sophie James (Shoebridge).
South Bendigo will have gained a lot of confidence from a 67-54 victory against Eaglehawk in last Sunday’s elimination final.
The Bloods’ on-court leaders are Steph Greene and gun goalshooter Gabe Richards as co-captains, and Steph MacCallum as vice-captain.
The Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo squad includes Carissa Brook, Kyla Byrne, Isabel Coutts, Tegan Elliston, Eliza Hynes, Gabby More, Sarah Nash and Andrea Wilson.
An outstanding career on and off the court by Lauren Bowles, nee Cowling, includes being a joint winner of the Betty Thompson Medal in her playing days with Kangaroo Flat.
The Bloods also have the experience of assistant coach Mel Dillon to draw on.
In the A-reserve competition, Kangaroo Flat faces Gisborne in the second semi-final.
A run of 12 wins, one loss, one draw by the Kangaroos includes a 56-51 loss at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round one.
The Ashley Ryan and Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos bounced back to win the round 10 match at Dower Park by two goals.
As the Roos had a rest last weekend, Gisborne completed a 50-49 victory against South Bendigo in the qualifying final.
The Kangaroos’ squad includes co-captains Ella Wicks and Emma Moroney, Lani Burns, Bronte Deary, Jess Holdstock and Isabella Pitto.
A Gisborne team coached by Kayleen Elliott includes captain Eloise Rodda, Charlotte Crook, Nirvana Martin, Reece Sutton, Dash Taylor and Hannah Weier.
On Sunday it will be South Bendigo against Sandhurst in the first semi-final.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods endured the agony of a one-goal loss to Gisborne in the qualifying final and will now use their second chance.
A 71-44 win by Sandhurst on Sunday eliminated Eaglehawk from the race.
The Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo won the round six clash with Sandhurst in Kennington by 24 goals.
It was a 48-32 win for the red and white against the Tamara Gilchrist and Gabrielle Greene-coached Sandhurst at the QEO in the 15th round.
The Bloods are led by captain Sarah Nash and co-captains Katelyn Parry and Olivia Treloar.
On-court South Bendigo has Lauren Bowles, Carissa Brook, Shelley DeAraugo and Remi Kuhne joining forces.
Sandhurst’s squad includes Reese Gilchrist, Maggie and Tess Keating, Neve Pinner, Diana Napoleon, Lucy Sherriff and Katherine Winwood.
It’s the Bulldogs against the Storm as Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye contest the B-grade second semi-final.
A 16-nil run by the Rylee Connell-coached Gisborne includes wins against Storm by 23 and six goals.
The Jo Artavilla-coached Storm surged to a 50-33 victory in last Saturday’s qualifying final against South Bendigo.
On Sunday it’s South Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat who will fight to stay in the flag race.
The Kangaroos scored a 41-35 win against Sandhurst in the elimination final.
When the Bloods and Roos first met in round eight it was the Marita Eddy and Shannyn Keely-coached South Bendigo which won 49-33 at Harry Trott Oval.
In round 17 the Chelsea Sartori and Kate Newman-coached Kangaroos won 38-35 on their court at Bendigo Mazda Oval.
Second semi-final day for Kangaroo Flat includes the B-reserve match against Gisborne.
The Kangaroos who are coached by league legend Nina Cass achieved a 15-1 run in the home-and-away series.
Kangaroo Flat won the round one match on Gisborne’s court by seven goals.
In round 10 the Shelley Farrugia-coached Bulldogs won 52-50 at Dower Park.
Gisborne will have taken a lot of confidence from a 48-37 win against South Bendigo in the qualifying final.
On Sunday it’s the Bloods and Storm on court as South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye meet in the B-reserve first semi.
A Storm team coached by Jo Artavilla and Carlie Brennan charged to a 15-goal win against Sandhurst in the elimination final.
The Bloods and Storm met in the opening round at Triple M Park where the Sarah Dennis and Katie Richmond-coached South Bendigo marked a 45-31 victory.
It was a 45-all draw at Harry Trott Oval in the 10th round.
After finishing on top of the 17-and-under ladder, Sandhurst takes on Strathfieldsaye in the second semi-final.
The Carol Cathcart and Rose Gallagher-coached Sandhurst has beaten Storm by 12 and nine goals.
A Strathfieldsaye team coached by Fiona Schubert and Julie Fennell began its finals campaign with a 42-40 victory against Golden Square in the qualifying final.
The Jody Richards-coached Golden Square meets South Bendigo in the first semi-final.
The blue and gold won the round seven match with the Bloods by 16 goals.
When they met in the 16th round it was the Lauren Bowles and Gabe Richards-coached South Bendigo which won 43-40 at Harry Trott Oval.
First up in the weekend’s play will be the 15-and-under teams.
The unbeaten Sandhurst faces Golden Square in the second semi-final.
The Reese Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst has beaten Golden Square by 22 and 21 goals.
On day one of the finals the Clare Hope-coached Golden Square marked a 56-46 victory against South Bendigo in the qualifying final.
South Bendigo and Eaglehawk meet in the first semi.
The Rox Hayes-coached Bloods beat the Hawks by six goals on Anzac Day and followed up with a 31-30 victory at C and M Oval at Canterbury Park in the 13th round.
An Eaglehawk team coached by Abbey McLean and Gracie Berryman won the elimination final against Strathfieldsaye by 14 goals.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
15-and-under, court one at 8.40am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
17-and-under, court one at 10am: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.
B-reserve, court one at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
B-grade, court one at 12.40pm: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.
A-reserve, court one at 2pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
A-grade, court one at 3.20pm: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
15-and-under, court one at 8.40am: South Bendigo v Eaglehawk.
17-and-under, court one at 10am: Golden Square v South Bendigo.
B-reserve, court one at 11.20am: South Bendigo v Strathfieldsaye.
B-grade, court one at 12.40pm: South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat.
A-reserve, court one at 2pm: South Bendigo v Sandhurst.
A-grade, court one at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v South Bendigo.