GOALKICKING legend Ron Best is being remembered by two of his former clubs, Golden Square and Sandhurst in round 13 of Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action.
Two of the league’s greatest rivals meet again at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street from 2.20pm.
More than premiership points will be one as the Bulldogs fight to take the Ron Best Memorial Shield from Sandhurst.
A legend in the Bendigo FNL Hall of Fame, Best kicked 1624 goals across a 270-game career which began at Golden Square rolled on at Sandhurst, back at Golden Square, and then on to Northern United.
A four-time premiership player, Best was a 10-time winner of the league’s goalkicking award.
He kicked 14.9 in his first senior game in 1968.
Best kicked 10 goals or more in a game on 48 occasions.
A season-high was 161 in 1980, and a match-high was 16 in round 20 of the 1969 season against Kyneton.
It will be a huge task for a Golden Square team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, to take the points against Sandhurst in this contest.
The Bulldogs rued missed opportunities in a 28-point loss to the Dragons in the Pat Cronin Foundation Round match on May 2 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Golden Square surpassed the 200-point mark in last Saturday’s home game against Broadford.
Heat from the Dragons will be much higher and for longer.
Key players for the Bulldogs include Jordan Rosengren, co-captain Jack Stewart, Jack McMahon, Adam Baird and Tom Strauch.
There is a lot to like about the play of talented youngsters such as Josh Kelly, Bailey Warfe, James Wilkinson, Logan Wescott and Billy Buhagiar.
The Bulldogs also have the experienced Isaac Corvo on a wing or half-back, and Adam Baird in attack and an on-ball role.
Sandhurst is back in action after the bye.
A Dragons’ team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, has won its past four games after a 19-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in Indigenous Round.
Players to watch in the maroon and blue include Cobi Maxted and Hugh Schmetzer in attack, Liam Ireland, Oliver Morris, Matt Wilkinson and Lachlan Wright.
The hard-running and skilful Dayten Uerata was named in the centre for the Dragons.
A strong on-ball group is ruckman Connor Sexton, Coooper Smith and Lachie Hood.
Another big match will be at C and M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park where the Two Blues take on South Bendigo.
Both scored impressive wins last round.
The Hawks won at Kangaroo Flat by 89 points as ruckman Callum Heath, Jack Thompson, Noah Wheeler and Lewin Davis led the way.
Players to watch for the Borough include Michelsen medallist and ruck-rover Billy Evans, Jacquin Mifsud at full-forward, Joel Mullen in the centre, Dylan Hanley and Jonty Neaves in defence.
Midfielder Oscar White will line up on a wing for the Hawks against a club he previously played for.
Eaglehawk key forward and co-coach Clayton Holmes kicked three goals in his first match of the season after a 10-match suspension from last year’s grand final victory, but was not named in the 22 this week.
On Anzac Day it was South Bendigo which scored a 92-75 win against the Borough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Bloods bounced back from consecutive defeats by scoring an 81-point win against Castlemaine at Harry Trott Oval last Saturday.
In-form players for the Bloods include Alex Davis, Brody Haddow, Josh Nitschke, Chase Poyser and Tom Templeton.
The athletic Zaydyn Lockwood who has played 11 matches in the VFL with Richmond this season was back playing in the ruck and attack for South Bendigo last Saturday.
Nathan Horbury who previously coached the Bloods made a welcome return to the field last round.
It’s a big day for South Bendigo’s non-playing co-coach Troy Coates who previously played for Eaglehawk.
Co-coach Jack Fallon will play a key role as he teams up at centre ball-ups and stoppages with ruckman Callum Crisp and ruck-rover Anthony Zimmerman.
Castlemaine’s back on its turf at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve to take on Strathfieldsaye.
An 81-point loss to South Bendigo has put a dent in the Magpies’ aspirations of playing finals.
Back in round four it was Storm which beat the Magpies by 55 points at Triple M Park.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine needs a massive upset against an in-form Storm to keep the heat on Eaglehawk.
Key players for the Magpies include Michael Hartley, Callum McConachy, Hunter Staples, Darby Semmens, Zack Derksen and John Watson.
Castlemaine may also have former Richmond forward Jacob Bauer and Darwin Buffaloes mid/forward Jarrod Stokes to play their first games for the club.
Both would be huge inclusions to take on the ladder-leading Storm.
Strathfieldsaye fought from 35-points down in the third quarter of last Saturday’s match against Gisborne to win by two goals.
Players to watch for the Jeff Andrews-coached Storm include James Schischka, Daniel Clohesy, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Tim Hosking, Kya Lanfranchi, Hunter Lawrence, Tyson McKenzie and Riley Wilson.
Two mobs of kangaroos in Broadford and Kangaroo Flat clash at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford scored a season-high 58 points on Kangaroo Flat’s ground in round six.
Big roles for Broadford will be played by Owen Sloan in the ruck, Louis Thompson in the centre, CJ Brill on a wing, and Rhys Carman, Bryce Fleming, Jake Hibbs-Hall and captain Adam Miles in defence.
An attack which includes Oliver Lubeck, Isaac Smithwick and Jayden Welch will be aiming to capitalise on chances.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat is likely to have too much experience and run for Broadford to match across four quarters.
Key players for Kangaroo Flat include ruckman Angus Macpherson, Aaron Nevins, Nick Keogh, Jordan and Zach Rouse, Mitch Collins, Nick Lang, and co-captains Ethan Roberts and Kyle Symons.
Gisborne has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Strathfieldsaye 163 per cent, 36 points; Sandhurst 200, 32; Gisborne 186, 32; South Bendigo 146, 32; Eaglehawk 154, 24; Castlemaine 117, 20; Golden Square 105, 12; Kangaroo Flat 46, 4; Broadford 10, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
53 Pat McKenna, Gis.
38 James Schishcka, S’saye.
34 Brock Harvey, SB.
31 Michael Hartley, Cm.
26 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
22 Nick Keogh, KF; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.
21 Fergus Greene, Sh; Ben Thompson, Eh.
20 Jordan Rosengren, GS.
19 Cobi Maxted, Sh.
17 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Brody Haddow, SB; Jack McMahon, GS.
16 Pat Blake, S’saye; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Tom Strauch, GS.
15 Oliver Morris, Sh; Alex Smith, SB.
14 Bailey Henderson, Cm; Jack O’Shannessy, Eh.
