Great contests to be played across Good Friday
THERE are some contests on the Good Friday schedule for round two in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s senior football competition.
On the rebound from defeat, Eaglehawk and South Bendigo meet in the Hawks’ nest at Canterbury Park from 2.20pm.
Not far away, Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye clash from 2.20pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Maryborough and Castlemaine have not had a lot to celebrate in recent seasons, so both will be desperate to claim the points at Maryborough’s Princes Park.
The all-Magpies showdown starts at 2.20pm.
It’s then under lights at Kyneton Showgrounds where Kyneton and Gisborne meet in the battle of the Calder rivals.
Easter Saturday will be marked by the stand-alone match between Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Although beaten by 13 points in round one on Strathfieldsaye’s turf at Triple M Park, Eaglehawk showed a lot of positive signs.
Back at home, Eaglehawk will be a tough opponent for the South Bendigo Bloods.
Darcy Richards led the Hawks’ attack on three goals against Storm as Lewin Davis chipped in with two.
Ruckman Clayton Holmes looms as a major danger to the Bloods, especially with his ability to tap the ball to Billy Evans, Noah Wheeler and the other onballers.
A talented Eaglehawk squad coached by Travis Matheson includes Shaun Knott, Jack Lawton, Oscar Madden, and Ben, Jack and Sam Thompson.
Bloods’ playing coach Nathan Horbury will be keen to see a much stronger start this game.
The Bloods were down 2-44 in the second quarter of their clash with Golden Square, but worked incredibly hard to be within eight points in the third term.
By the final siren though the Bloods were down, 53-103.
Brock Harvey was South’s only multiple goalkicker on three.
The Bloods’ best were Cameron Taggert in defence, Horbury, Brock Harvey and midfielder Cooper Leon.
The Hawks’ defence faces a massive task trying to quell the influence of the classy Kaiden Antonowicz at full-forward.
Players to watch in the red and white include ruck-rover Liam Byrne, Zac Hare, Michael Herlihy and Isaiah Miller.
It’s a tough start to Sandhurst’s season as the away game at Gisborne is followed by a showdown with Strathfieldsaye.
The Ash Connick-coached Dragons played well to be within a point at three quarter-time of the Bulldogs, but Gisborne surged clear to win by 26 points.
Lachlan Zimmer led the Dragons’ attack on two goals in a match where Noah Walsh, Tanner Nally, Hamish Hosking and Liam Ireland were best.
A key to Sandhurst’s chances will be pressure on the ball-carrier as Storm’s run and linkwork is a major strength.
The play of the Dragons’ experienced stars such as Lee Coghlan, Blair Holmes, Matt Thornton and Joel Wharton will be crucial.
Sandhurst will also look for big games from the likes of Hamish Hosking in the ruck, Zach Pallpratt and Jake Wilkinson.
The winning run for Storm kept rolling in a hard-fought 85-72 result against Eaglehawk.
A multiple winner of the Ron Best Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker, Lachlan Sharp kicked four goals in round one as best afield James Schischka added two.
Co-coached by Darryl Wilson and Shannon Geary, Storm has plenty of attacking options and versatility.
Key players for Storm include Lachlan Gill, Jake Hall, ruckman Tim Hosking, Callum McCarty, Baxter Slater, Jordan and Riley Wilson.
The Rick Andrews-coached Maryborough will be fired up for its clash with Castlemaine.
The Borough battled to break through the Kangaroos’ defence.
Chris Freeman worked hard to score three goals as Kya Lanfranchi, Lachlan Hull and Coby Perry were best.
The Magpies went into the match with last season’s club champion and gun onballer Bailey Edwards.
Key players for Maryborough include ruck-rover Aidan Hare, Brady Neill in the ruck, Coby Perry, Jake Postle and Anthony Tatchell.
The match-up on Castlemaine’s Bailey Henderson will be crucial.
In the middle or across half-forward, Henderson is a class player.
He kicked three goals and was Castlemaine’s best against Kyneton as Tommy Horne chipped in with two.
Others to watch for the Don Moran-coached Castlemaine include Tom Cain, Zac Denahy at full-forward, Sam Nettleton in the ruck or at centre half-forward, Riley Pedretti, David Stephens, John Watson and Liam Wilkinson.
Kyneton fans will flock to Tigerland to watch the yellow and black take on Gisborne.
Last season Gisborne won its home game against Kyneton by 100 points.
Tigers’ coach Paul Chapman will be urging the intensity at the ball and contest to be higher against such a skilful opponent.
This contest is likely to be closer.
Kyneton’s attack in the 75-point win at Castlemaine was led by Guy Dickson, Rhys Magin and Ryan Pretty on four goals each.
Centreman Dean Bartrop was best afield and will play a key role again, along with James Orr in the ruck, rover Ned O’Sullivan, the talented Rhys Magin, Hamish Yunghanns, Louis Thompson, and defenders Steven Georgiou and Harrison Huntley.
Leading goalkicker for Kyneton on 58 in the 2018 season, Ethan Foreman returns to a ground he knows well, but as a Gisborne forward.
Foreman kicked two goals in Gisborne’s first-up win against Sandhurst as Jack Scanlon, three, and Matthew Panuccio, two, were the other multiple goalkickers.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne is likely to be bolstered by the return of several players, including gun forward and captian Pat McKenna, who missed round one because of Covid protocols.
A strong Gisborne squad includes Sebastian Bell-Bartels, Brad Bernacki, Sam Graham, Flynn Lakey, Jaidyn Own, Jack Reaper and Frank Schipano.
After a 71-point victory in round one, Kangaroo Flat makes the trek to nearby Golden Square.
The Bulldogs are a long-time nemesis of the Kangaroos.
Major challenge for the James Flaherty-coached Kangaroo Flat will be trying to stop supply to Joel Brett who kicked seven goals in Square’s win against South Bendigo.
Midfield and on-ball duels will be vital to the Flat’s hopes.
Mitch Rovers and Mitch Trewhella are two of the league’s most exciting youngsters, while Liam and Mitch Collins, Brodie Fry, Nic Keogh, Nick Lang, Ryan O’Keefe and Dane Spear will all play important roles.
The Roos’ attack in round one was led by Hamish Lockhart and Lachy Wilson on three goals apiece.
Not only must the Roos try to halt Brett, but a Bulldogs’ forward line that includes the marking power of Tom Strauch and Braydon Vaz, and roving of Liam Jacques, Alex Jenkyn and Ricky Monti.
Best for the Bulldogs last Saturday were Brett, onballers Terence Reeves and Jack Geary, and ruckman Matt Compston.
The Jack Geary-coached Bulldogs have Liam Barrett, Jack Merrin and Zack Shelton capable of winning many contests.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Kangaroo Flat 261 per cent, 4 points; Kyneton 256, 4; Golden Square 194, 4; Gisborne 156, 4; Strathfieldsaye 118, 4; Eaglehawk 84, 0; Sandhurst 63, 0; South Bendigo 51, 0; Castlemaine 39, 0; Maryborough 38, 0.
Leaders in the Ron Best Medal goalkicking race:
7 Joel Brett, GS.
4 Guy Dickson, Kyn.; Rhys Magin, Kyn.; Ryan Pretty, Kyn.; Lachlan Sharp, S’saye.
3 Chris Freeman, Mb; Brock Harvey, SB; Bailey Henderson, Cm; Hamish Lockhart, KF; Darcy Richards, Eh; Jack Scanlon, Gis.; Lachy Wilson, KF.
Written by Nathan Dole.