ROUND 16 NETBALL PREVIEW | Great rivals to clash again on QEO court
ANOTHER chapter in the netball rivalry between Sandhurst and Gisborne will be played out in Saturday’s 16th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
This could be one of the last times the Dragons and Bulldogs are opponents as Gisborne’s members voted on Thursday night to make a move to join the Ballarat FNL.
For now the focus is on play against Sandhurst and the upcoming Bendigo FNL finals series to be played at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo’s View Street.
Premier of the past two seasons, Gisborne rolls into this round in third place between Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne is yet to beat the Dragons this season.
In round six it was Sandhurst which scored a 50-32 win on the QEO court.
The round 13 showdown at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve ended in a 44-39 win for the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst.
This Saturday’s match is crucial for both teams as they will meet in the August 30 qualifying final.
Another big match in the 16th round will be at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval where South Bendigo takes on Kangaroo Flat.
It’s also another time that sister and brother, Lauren Bowles and Jayden Cowling pit their coaching skills against one another as coaches of the Bloods and Roos respectively.
In ’25 it’s been Jayden Cowling and Kangaroo Flat which has outpointed South Bendigo.
The round 14 match on the Kangaroos’ court in Dower Park ended in a 72-49 win for the home team.
In round seven the Kangaroos bounded to a big lead early and never let up.
By the final siren the Flat led 83-19 at Harry Trott Oval.
Third and final match for A-grade this Saturday will be Strathfieldsaye Storm against Goldne Square at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Both teams will be determined to end their season with a victory.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm scored a 48-43 win against Golden Square in round four at Triple M Park.
In the 11th round Storm won 39-39 against the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square on its Wade Street court.
Eaglehawk has a bye in A-grade, but the Hawks will play Castlemaine in all other grades of netball at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk has locked in an elimination final berth against South Bendigo.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 220 per cent, 52 points; Sandhurst 171, 44; Gisborne 137, 32; South Bendigo 80, 22; Eaglehawk 67, 18; Strathfieldsaye 58, 8; Golden Square 54, 4.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 15 rounds:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 150 per cent, 56 points; Gisborne 153, 50; Sandhurst 147, 42; South Bendigo 111, 36; Strathfieldsaye 90, 26; Eaglehawk 74, 16; Castlemaine 66, 10; Golden Square 59, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 218 per cent, 60 points; Kangaroo Flat 127, 48; South Bendigo 115, 40; Strathfieldsaye 121, 36; Sandhurst 118, 32; Eaglehawk 74, 12; Golden Square 69, 12; Castlemaine 42, 0.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 205 per cent, 60 points; Kangaroo Flat 171, 44; Sandhurst 165, 44; Strathfieldsaye 131, 40; South Bendigo 117, 28; Golden Square 74, 12; Eaglehawk 67, 12; Castlemaine 17, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 165 per cent, 56 points; Golden Square 183, 48; Strathfieldsaye 160, 48; Gisborne 118, 32; Kangaroo Flat 71, 22; Castlemaine 73, 20; South Bendigo 45, 8; Eaglehawk 65, 6.
