ANZAC Day Preview | More than points at stake on QEO
BY NATHAN DOLE
A SHOWDOWN between the unbeaten Eaglehawk and South Bendigo on Anzac Day at Queen Elizabeth Oval kicks off round three in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season.
Lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval will be ablaze as the highly-anticipated contest kicks off at 6.30pm.
It will also be a crucial A-grade match on the netball court as the Bloods and Hawks aim to bounce back from defeat.
The matches were originally slated at South Bendigo’s home turf on Harry Trott Oval, but were moved to the QEO which was the Bloods’ base for many seasons.
At the announcement of the Anzac Day match, South Bendigo general manager Rick Townsend said the club was in a fortunate position to play on such a special occasion.
The BFNL and the South Bendigo and Eaglehwk clubs have teamed up with the Bendigo RSL which will hold an Anzac Day observance at 6pm.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase the game on a day that means a lot the Bendigo community.
“It’s vital we make sure the day is given the respect deserves.
“It’s not just a few games of football and netball. It’s about much more than that” Townsend said.
There will be various fund-raisers by South Bendigo FNC and the Bendigo RSL to support veterans and their families.
“The veteran community sees Anzac Day until lunch time as a time to commemorate those that have served and fallen in defence of their nation,” Bendigo RSL president Glenn Ludeman said.
“After midday, it’s important that events on ANZAC Day recognise our Nation’s 103,021 war dead as well continuing to capture the essence of our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much.”
Gates to Queen Elizabeth Oval on the corner of Barnard and View streers will open at 1pm.
The Sportspower under-18s football match starts at 2.20pm and will be followed by the Drummond Golf reserves game at 4pm.
Senior football and A-grade netball will start at 6.30pm.
The Bloods and Hawks have made strong starts to the season.
South Bendigo has beaten last season’s preliminary finalist, Strathfieldsaye, and then runner-up, Gisborne in the opening two rounds.
The Hawks followed up their win on Golden Square’s ground by beating Kangaroo Flat in the Hawks’ nest at Canterbury Park.
Centre clearances and stoppages are always crucial on the wide expanses of the QEO.
Bloods’ on-ballers Mac Cameron, Brody Haddow, Joel Swatton and Anthony Zimmerman teamed superbly in the 27-point victory at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
They are up against Brayden Frost, Billy Evans, Ben Thompson and Joel Budarick in this contest.
A Bloods’ line-up coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, has plenty of attacking options.
Small forwards Kaiden Antonowicz and Brock Harvey are quick on the lead, can take a strong grab, and are brilliant at ground level.
Just who Hawks’ coaches Travis Matheson, non-playing, and Clayton Holmes, playing, give the task to has an enormous role to play.
The Hawks had Jonty Neaves and Jack O’Shannessy kick four goals apiece in the win against Kangaroo Flat.
The athleticism and marking power of both will test a Bloods’ defence that includes Thomas Brereton, Luke Darling, Zac Hare, Isaiah Miller and Tait Poyser.
Players to watch for the Two Blues include Marcus Angove, Jack Donat, Tyh Evans, Charlie Langford and Cam McGlashan.
At the netball court, Jannelle Hobbs marks a return to the QEO sidelines as coach of Eaglehawk.
A superb coaching career for Hobbs includes stints with Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo.
The Hawks and Bloods won their opening round matches, but were then outpointed by two of the league’s best in Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat last Saturday.
A multiple premiership-winning coach at White Hills, Lauren Bowles has returned to the Bendigo FNL as South Bendigo’s coach.
The Bloods’ squad includes Gabe Richards as goalshooter, Carissa Brook, Andrea Wilson, Ella Flavell, Steph Goode and Tegan Elliston.
Eaglehawk’s squad includes Allira Holmes who was a dual premiership-winning coach with Gabe Richards at Elmore.
Other players in the Two Blues squad include Chloe Langley, Eden Clifford, Briella Gibbs and Lucy Morcom.
It’s in attack where Langley and Morcom team up.
The netball action begins at 3pm when the 17-and-under and B-grade teams are on court.
First pass in the A-reserve and B-reserve contests will be at 4.30pm.
