TOP-TWO teams South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye face a crucial test in Saturday’s 10th round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Bloods and Storm will play at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street from 2.20pm.
When these clubs met in the season opener on Good Friday it was Strathfieldsaye which fought on for a seven-point victory at Triple M Park.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm rolls into this contest on top of the ladder on a seven-one record.
South Bendigo has an identical win-loss tally, but is nine per cent adrift of Storm.
As the Bloods had the bye last round, Strathfieldsaye marked a 76-point win on Kangaroo Flat’s ground.
A South Bendigo team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, won the showdown with Kangaroo Flat on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend by 82 points.
Key match-ups for the Bloods include Ron Best medallist and gun goalkicker Brock Harvey opposed by Patrick Blandford; Callum Crisp in the ruck against Tim Hosking; and Will Allen at centre half-back against James Schischka.
On-ball duels will be a highlight.
The Bloods have Brody Haddow, Coen Harker and Tom Templeton to take on Tyson McKenzie, Daniel Clohesy and Drew Lloyd.
South Bendigo forwards James Davies, Anthony Zimmerman, Zaydyn Lockwood and Logan Howell face a tight-knit Storm defence led by Lachlan Ratcliffe, Kya Lanfranchi, Ben Lester and Hunter Lawrence.
Another big match will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval where Sandhurst meets Eaglehawk in the rematch of the ’25 grand finalists.
Crucial contest for both clubs in the fight to claim a top-three finish and the double chance at finals time.
A six-two record has Sandhurst perched on the fourth rung.
Eaglehawk reclaimed its place in the five after last Saturday’s win on Broadford’s turf.
On Easter Saturday it was Sandhurst which won on Eaglehawk’s ground at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park by 38 points.
The Sandhurst team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, marked a 31-point win against Castlemaine at the QEO last Saturday as Oliver Stewart, Wil Pinniger and Oliver Morris led the way.
Key players for the Dragons include Caleb Connick, Cobi Maxted, Hugh Schmetzer, Cooper Smith and Lachlan Wright.
Eaglehawk is gradually working toward to having its strongest 22 available.
Michelsen medallist Noah Wheeler returns for his first match since the round six clash at Gisborne.
A newcomer for the Hawks is Jacquin Mifsud from UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in AFL Sydney.
Players to watch for the Two Blues include captain and Michelsen medallist Billy Evans, ruckman Callum Heath, Bailey Ilsley, Charlie Langford, Jack O’Shannessy and Ben Thompson.
Golden Square is back on its turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street to play Castlemaine.
It’s seventh against sixth.
On Good Friday the Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine beat the Bulldogs at Camp Reserve by eight points.
It’s been many years since Castlemaine has beaten the Bulldogs twice in a season.
A Golden Square team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, will be determined for that not to happen.
Among the ‘ins’ for Golden Square is four-time premiership winner and 2019 Michelsen medallist Adam Baird.
Named in a back pocket, Baird is likely to play in attack, with the occasional stint on-ball or midfield.
In recent years Baird has played for Mount Pleasant in the Heathcote DFNL.
He played for Charlton in last Saturday’s clash with Boort in the Goldacres North Central competition.
Key players for Golden Square include Harry Burke, Luke Holt and Noah Warfe in defence; Jack Stewart and Tom Strauch in attack; ruckman Liam Hoy and ruck-rover Jordan Rosengren.
A key match-up for Golden Square will be against Michael Hartley who has starred in attack, defence or the ruck for Castlemaine.
The Magpies’ best in last week’s clash with Sandhurst were Dylan Landt, Jack Sutherland, the hard-running Harrison Sheahan, and ruckman Jaise Coleman.
In attack Castlemaine will look to Zavier Murley, Jack Chester and Hunter Staples to capitalise on chances.
Kangaroo Flat’s on its ground at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park to take on Gisborne.
When these clubs met on Good Friday it was Gisborne which won a high-scoring match, 176-52 at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
Been a tough run for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat which has faced South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye the past two rounds.
Massive challenge for Kangaroos’ on-ballers Angus Macpherson, Kyle Symons and Zach Rouse against Boyd Nalder, Michelsen medallist Brad Bernacki, and Adam Brancatisano.
In the centre the Roos have Tyran Farmer to take on Shane Clough.
A Kangaroo Flat defence led by Daniel and Luke Stagg, Jake Hywood and Zach Bird is up against Zac Denahy, Pat McKenna, Dominic Sullivan and David Baynon.
Roos’ forwards Nick Lang and Nick Keogh will be opposed by Bulldogs’ captain Zach Vescovi and Harry Thomas.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne had Frank Schipano and Jed Denahy among the best in last week’s win on Golden Square’s ground.
Broadford has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Strathfieldsaye 176 per cent, 28 points; South Bendigo 167, 28; Gisborne 173, 24; Sandhurst 162, 24; Eaglehawk 138, 16; Castlemaine 125, 12; Golden Square 97, 8; Kangaroo Flat 57, 4; Broadford 10, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
31 Pat McKenna, Gis.
30 James Schischka, S’saye.
27 Michael Hartley, Cm.
25 Brock Harvey, SB.
19 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
18 Ben Thompson, Eh.
17 Nick Keogh, KF.
16 Pat Blake, S’saye; Fergus Greene, Sh.
14 Brody Haddow, SB; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.
13 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Alex Smith, SB; Tom Strauch, GS.
12 Archie Eaton, GS; James Frawley, SB; Archie Rixon, Cm; Jordan Rosengren, GS.
South Bgo v Kangaroo Flat 113 81 at Trott
1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 34, 37, 45
Coen harker, Brody Haddow, Zaydyn Lockwood, Hayden Geddes
Brock Harvey 6, Jack Fallon 4, Josh Nitschke 2, Coen Harker 2,
