SOUTH Bendigo will chase a third consecutive victory when it faces Gisborne in this Saturday’s second round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Bloods scored a two-goal win on Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Court on Good Friday which followed a big victory at Broadford the previous Saturday in a stand-alone match.
A team coached by the experienced Lauren Bowles will be braced for a high level of pressure from Gisborne.
Play will start at 2.30pm.
The Bloods’ squad includes Gabe Richards, Karley Hynes, Andrea Wilson, Cayde Hayes and Steph Greene.
On Good Friday the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne met reigning premier Kangaroo Flat at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
A superb contest between the red, white and blue and Kangaroos ended in a 42-39 win for Kangaroo Flat.
Key players in the Gisborne squad include Charlee Kemp, Claudia Mawson, Kirby Elliot and Torie Skrijel.
Golden Square makes its way to C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park to take on the Hawks.
On-going development works at Golden Square’s Wade Street ground have led to the change in venue.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square made a winning start to the season at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
At the final siren the Bulldogs led 72-31.
Kangaroo Flat will unfurl the ’25 premiership flag before play on its Dower Park court against Castlemaine.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won a hard-fought match at Gisborne on Good Friday.
A powerful squad in green and white includes Ruby Barkmeyer, Abbey and Ash Ryan, Chelsea Sartori and Alicia McGlashan.
Huge test for Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine.
A young squad representing the Magpies includes Abbey Klemm, Madison Clifford, Charli Henderson and Charley Pedretti.
Sandhurst will be back on its court at Queen Elizabeth Oval to play Broadford.
It will be Broadford’s first hit-out at the iconic venue.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst teamed superbly in a 56-35 victory on Eaglehawk’s court on Good Friday.
Broadford had the bye at Easter following the stand-alone games against South Bendigo on the Kangaroos’ court at Harley Hammond Reserve the previous Saturday.
Will be a great test for Broadford coach Jaimie Hooper and the young squad.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
South Bendigo 195 per cent, 8 points; Golden Square 221, 4; Sandhurst 160, 4; Kangaroo Flat 107, 4; Strathfieldsaye 95, 0; Gisborne 92, 0; Eaglehawk 62, 0; Castlemaine 45, 0; Broadford 28, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after round one:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 175 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 125, 4; Gisborne 109, 4; Golden Square 108, 4; Castlemaine 91.8, 0; Kangaroo Flat 91.0, 0; Eaglehawk 80, 0; Strathfieldsaye 57, 0.
B-grade:
South Bendigo 215 per cent, 8 points; Golden Square 200, 4; Sandhurst 166, 4; Gisborne 125, 4; Kangaroo Flat 79, 0; Strathfieldsaye 65, 0; Eaglehawk 60, 0; Castlemaine 50, 0; Broadford 30, 0.
B-reserve:
South Bendigo 275 per cent, 8 points; Golden Square 159, 4; Kangaroo Flat 120, 4; Sandhurst 110, 4; Eaglehawk 90, 0; Gisborne 83, 0; Strathfieldsaye 68, 0; Castlemaine 62, 0; Broadford 17, 0.
17-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 340 per cent, 4 points; Golden Square 288, 4; Sandhurst 166, 4; Gisborne 136, 4; South Bendigo 72, 4; Kangaroo Flat 73, 0; Eaglehawk 60, 0; Broadford 42, 0; Castlemaine 34, 0.
15-and-under:
Golden Square 331 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 323, 4; South Bendigo 195, 4; Strathfieldsaye 51, 0; Eaglehawk 30.9, 0; Castlemaine 30.1, 0; Kangaroo Flat 0, 0.
In the footbal action ………..
SOUTH Bendigo faces another pressure test when it tackles Gisborne in Saturday’s second round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season.
The Bloods mark their first home game of ’26 when they play the Bulldogs at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street from 2.20pm.
A South Bendigo team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, takes a one-one record into this match after being beaten in a Good Friday thriller at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park by seven points.
South’s season started with a 200-plus point win in a stand-alone match at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne made a hot start to the season as it beat Kangaroo Flat at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve by 124 points.
Plenty of crucial match-ups will be played out between South Bendigo and Gisborne.
Bloods’ ruckmen Callum Crisp and Mac Cameron will take on Michelsen medallist Braidon Blake.
Just who gains the ascendancy at centre ball-ups and stoppages will have a major say in the slippery conditions.
At ground level the Bloods have Nathan Kay, Coen Harker and Brody Haddow to take on Michelsen medallist Brad Bernacki, Adam Brancatisano and Dylan Johnstone.
Among the changes at South Bendigo is key forward James Frawley out after kicking five goals at Strathfieldsaye.
A premiership winner with Hawthorn, Frawley is a development coach with Gold Coast Suns.
As Frawley goes out this week, South Bendigo regains hard-running defender Isaiah Miller.
Key targets for the Bloods in attack will be James Davies, Brock Harvey and Alex Smith.
They take on a Gisborne defence led by Zach Vescovi, Harry Thomas, Will Elliott and Frank Schipano.
At the other end of the ground, Bloods’ defenders Will Allen, Ollie Turnbull, Hayden Geddes and Nathan Horbury cannot afford to relax against Zac Denahy, Pat McKenna, Dominic Sullivan and Lucas Hannon.
Golden Square and Eaglehawk are both on the rebound from defeat as they take to C & M Oval at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
This match was scheduled at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street, but ongoing works at Golden Square’s home meant a switch to the Borough.
The Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett-coached Golden Square face a fired-up Eaglehawk following a 38-point loss to Sandhurst in the grand final rematch.
The Bulldogs will look to the experienced Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch, Drew Barrett, Terry Reeves, Harry and Jayden Burke to win many contests.
Plenty to like about the skill of youngsters Archie, Macey and Ollie Eaton; Josh Kelly, Archie Edwards and Noah Warfe for the blue and gold.
Eaglehawk is bolstered by the inclusion of Max Kennedy, Jack Donat, and Lachlan Walker.
Last season’s George Symons medallist as league fairest and best in the under-18s competition, Cahal Blandthorn will mark his first senior match.
A strong team coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes includes Billy Evans, Charlie Langford, Joel Mullen, ruckman Callum Heath, Sam O’Shannessy and Ben Thompson.
Broadford will play on the Queen Elizabeth Oval for the first time as the Kangaroos face a red-hot Sandhurst.
The Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford had the bye on the Easter weekend after the stand-alone game at home the previous Saturday against South Bendigo.
Sandhurst controlled most of the rematch of the ’25 grand final against Eaglehawk to win by 38 points.
Dragons’ forwards Tom Campbell, co-coach Fergus Greene and Cobi Maxted are likely to have many scoring chances set up by the likes of Oliver Morris, Jacob Austin, Lachie Hood and Nick Stagg.
Among the changes at the den is Gus Hay for his senior debut.
The ability of Broadford to bring and keep a high level of pressure against their hard-running and skilful opponents will be tested every quarter.
Crucial roles for the Roos will be played by Riley Edwards in the centre; Jay Eager, Oliver Lubeck and Adam Miles in defence; ruckman Owen Sloan, and ruck-rover Louis Thompson.
Kangaroo Flat will be back on home turf at Dower Park to take on Castlemaine.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Roos have plenty of run through Aaron Nevins, Mitch Collins, Mitch Rovers, Kyle Symons and Zach Bird.
Angus Macpherson, Max Johnson and Nick Lang will test the Magpies with their marking strength.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Magpies are bolstered by the inclusion of gun forward Zack Derksen who kicked four goals for Nightcliff in its Northern Territory League premiership win and on-baller Dylan Landt from St Mary’s.
Derksen joins a Magpies’ attack that includes Archie Rixon and Michael Hartley who was the club’s senior coach the past two seasons.
Players to watch for Castlemaine include Zavier Murley, Kalan Huntly and Hunter Staples.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Gisborne 338 per cent, 4 points; South Bendigo 253, 4; Sandhurst 150, 4; Castlemaine 109, 4; Strathfieldsaye 106, 4; Golden Square 91, 0; Eaglehawk 66, 0; Kangaroo Flat 29, 0; Broadford 5, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB.
6 Alex Smith, SB.
5 Zac Denahy, SB; James Frawley, SB; Brock Harvey, SB.
4 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Mac Cameron, SB; Brody Haddow, SB; Drew Lloyd, S’saye; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Archie Rixon, Cm.
3 Adam Brancatisano, Gis.; Archie Eaton, GS; Coen Harker, SB; Michael Hartley, Cm; Nick Keogh, KF; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Matt Merrett, Gis.; Anthony Zimmerman, SB.
2 Jacob Austin, Sh; Pat Blake, S’saye; Jayden Burke, GS; Brodie Byrne, Cm; Tom Campbell, Sh; Zach Charles, S’saye; Caleb Connick, Sh; Jonty Davis, Sh; Kalan Huntly, Cm; Joel Mullen, Eh; Sam O’Shannessy, Eh; James Schischka, S’saye; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Tom Strauch, GS; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.; Tom Templeton, SB; Ben Thompson, Eh.