IT’S Bendigo Health Round across the Bendigo Bank BFL this Saturday as clubs raise funds and support for the hospital’s neurology team.
Round 16 features the clash between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst in the fight for top spot.
The Storm and Dragons will play at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane from 2.20pm.
Both teams are locked on 44 points, but it’s Sandhurst which is perched on top.
The Dragons have been unbeaten since a 19-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in the stand-alone match at the QEO on May 31 to complete Indigenous Round.
Storm forwards James Schischka, Zach Charles, Tyson McKenzie and Riley Mulquiny are up against a strong defence.
Three of the Dragons’ greatest defenders in Chris Greene, Brendan Hartney and Mark O’Farrell would be rapt with how Lachlan Wright, Liam Ireland, James Coghlan and Darcy Mills complete in one-on-one duels and their workrate to assist team-mates.
At the other end of the ground, Storm’s defence led by Cooper Jones, Ben Lester, Hunter Lawrence, and Lachlan Ratcliffe takes on Hugh Schmetzer, Cobi Maxted, Matt Wilkinson and Finlay Lockhart.
In the middle it will be Storm young gun Jaidi Jackson-Leahy opposed to Dayten Uerata.
Storm has Darcy Mulquiny and Jack Bell in midfield roles.
Sandhurst co-coach Fergus Greene is on wing and Caleb Connick the other.
Centre clearances and stoppages are crucial on the big ground.
Storm ruckman George Simpson teams with Daniel Clohesy and Riley Wilson against Connor Sexton, Cooper Smith and Harrison Free.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm will be desperate to mark win number two against the maroon and blue and also earn a week’s rest at finals time.
Non-playing co-coach of the Dragons, Bryce Curnow is up against a club he was a premiership player with.
Feature match of the round is South Bendigo against Golden Square at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
It’s Fluoro For Neuro Day in which South Bendigo will wear specially designed jumpers in the seniors and reserves footy matches.
The jumpers will be auctioned to raise funds for the Bendigo Health neurology team.
On field the Bloods and Bulldogs are on the rebound from defeat.
Victory is a must for South Bendigo which in the past five rounds has gone loss, win, loss, win, loss.
The Bloods won Golden Square’s turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in the seventh round by seven goals.
Key players for South Bendigo include ruckman Callum Crisp, on-ballers Coen Harker and Brody Haddow, co-captains Zach Hare and Josh Nitschke, Will Allen and Anthony Zimmerman.
Brock Harvey leads the Bloods attack on 53 goals and will be keen to perform well against his former club.
A team jointly coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, will be determined to build confidence in the lead-up to another finals campaign.
Golden Square’s streak of consecutive wins against Kangaroo Flat ended on 48 after the Roos won last Saturday’s match in Wade Street by six goals.
Was a tough afternoon for the Bulldogs who scored 4.13.
A Golden Square team jointly coached by Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett will be desperate to perform well against a fierce rival.
Players to watch in the blue and gold include Adam Baird, Harry Burke, Archie and Macey Eaton, Jack McMahon, Jordan Rosengren, Jack Stewart, and Tom Strauch.
Isaac Corvo returns to the Bulldogs for his first match since round 13.
It’s the Magpies against the Hawks as Castlemaine faces Eaglehawk at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Eaglehawk is riding a five-match winning streak which has included wins against top-five opponents South Bendigo, 48 points; Strathfieldsaye, 68; and Gisborne, 45 points.
The reigning premier is still in the running to grab a top-three berth and double chance at finals time.
A powerful attack for the Borough includes Jacquin Mifsud, Lewin Davis, Jack O’Shannessy and Nick Thompson.
In the midfield and on-ball duels the Hawks have Billy Evans, Ben Thompson, Oscar White, Joel Mullen and Callum Heath capable of winning plenty of contests.
There’s also the run of Tyh Evans and James Coates-moore off half-back.
Huge test for the Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine.
The Magpies have a five-eight record, but are yet to beat any of the league’s top five.
Key players for Castlemaine include Michael Hartley, Jacob Bauer, Jack Chester, Ben and Callum McConachy, John Watson and Darby Semmens.
Gisborne is back on its turf at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve to play Broadford.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs will be fired up after a 45-point loss at Eaglehawk.
A Gisborne attack which includes Pat McKenna, Shane Clough, Adam Brancatisano and Dominic Sullivan.
The Bulldogs also welcome back Harry Luxmoore and Matt Merrett who have not played since the round six win against Eaglehawk.
The Bulldogs have ruckman Lucas Carnell to team with Brad Bernacki, Flynn Lakey and and James Gray for centre clearances and stoppages.
Another massive test for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford in the club’s debut season in the league.
The Kangaroos faced South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye the previous two rounds.
Louis Thompson, Brodie Stray, captain Adam Miles, Harry Behan, Jarrah Younger and Taiten Thomas were best in Broadford’s clash with Storm.
The Kangaroos’ line-up includes Jay Eager in the ruck, Jacob Street-Glasson roving, Rhys Carman and Ryder Primrose in defence, Oliver Lubeck and Owen Sloan in attack.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder after 15 rounds:
Sandhurst 201 per cent, 44 points; Strathfieldsaye 169, 44; Gisborne 167, 36; Eaglehawk 160, 36; South Bendigo 147, 36; Castlemaine 108, 20; Golden Square 97, 12; Kangaroo Flat 59, 12; Broadford 11, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
57 James Schischka, S’saye.
55 Pat McKenna, Gis.
53 Brock Harvey, SB.
34 Nick Keogh, KF.
31 Michael Hartley, Cm.
26 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
25 Ben Thompson, Eh.
24 Cobi Maxted, Sh.
23 Fergus Greene, Sh; Dominic Sullivan, Gis.
21 Jordan Rosengren, GS.
20 Jacquin Mifsud, Eh; Oliver Morris, Sh.
19 Brody Haddow, SB.
18 Nick Lang, KF; Jack McMahon, GS; Tom Strauch, GS.
17 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Zac Denahy, Gis.; Nick Lang, KF; Jack O’Shannessy, Eh; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Oscar White, Eh; Anthony Zimmerman, SB.
15 James Gray, Gis.; Alex Smith-Ralph, SB.
