UNLESS Strathfieldsaye and Broadford complete the upset of the decade the top four A-grade netball teams will tune up for Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL finals in this Saturday’s 18th and final round.
Sixth on the ladder, Strathfieldsaye is on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on the unbeaten Kangaroo Flat.
The clash between Storm and the Roos will start at 2.30pm.
When these teams met in round nine the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat scored a 71-40 victory on its court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
The Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye played well to score a 67-50 victory on Golden Square’s court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street last Saturday.
Massive task for Storm against the reigning premier which will be aiming to keep its unbeaten record intact.
First pass in Saturday’s matches for A-grade will be at 2pm at Eaglehawk’s C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk will take on Broadford.
Victory will put the Borough into an elimination final against South Bendigo.
In round nine the Hawks won at Broadford’s Harley Hammond Reserve by 49 goals.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford worked incredibly hard to secure its first premiership points in A-grade as it drew last Saturday’s match with Castlemaine.
It was 37-all in the showdown of the Kangaroos and Magpies in Broadford.
This Saturday marks the final time Gisborne will play a home-and-away match at Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne faces Golden Square from 2.30pm at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval.
A 44-40 victory against Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval last Saturday meant Gisborne leapfrogged the Dragons to the second rung.
No matter the result in this round, Gisborne will meet Sandhurst in the qualifying final to be played on August 29 at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
It’s the final hit-out of the season for the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square which will be determined to put in a strong performance.
Castlemaine will play Sandhurst at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 2.30pm.
In round nine the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst beat the Magpies on the QEO court by 33 goals.
The Dragons will be fired up after last Saturday’s defeat.
Huge test for a young Castlemaine team which is coached by Vanessa Saunders.
South Bendigo has the bye
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition after 17 rounds:
Kangaroo Flat 195 per cent, 60 points; Gisborne 177, 48; Sandhurst 167, 48; South Bendigo 120, 36; Eaglehawk 101, 28; Strathfieldsaye 90, 28; Golden Square 92, 16; Castlemaine 46, 6; Broadford 30, 2.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 17 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 147 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 148, 46; Gisborne 135, 32; Sandhurst 108, 32; Eaglehawk 97, 26; Strathfieldsaye 75, 12; Golden Square 65, 8; Castlemaine 60, 8.
B-grade:
Gisborne 216 per cent, 60 points; South Bendigo 132, 48; Strathfieldsaye 126, 48; Kangaroo Flat 128, 42; Sandhurst 112, 28; Golden Square 84, 20; Eaglehawk 86, 14; Broadford 61, 12; Castlemaine 43, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 179 per cent, 56 points; Gisborne 179, 50; South Bendigo 142, 48; Strathfieldsaye 133, 42; Sandhurst 115, 32; Eaglehawk 90, 20; Golden Square 93, 16; Castlemaine 54, 4; Broadford 25, 4.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 181 per cent, 52 points; Golden Square 163, 48; Strathfieldsaye 160, 44; South Bendigo 98, 32; Kangaroo Flat 116, 30; Eaglehawk 96, 30; Gisborne 118, 28; Castlemaine 51, 8; Broadford 27, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 310 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 193, 40; South Bendigo 101, 32; Eaglehawk 86, 24; Strathfieldsaye 81, 12; Kangaroo Flat 56, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.
