AN UNBEATEN Castlemaine is a great chance to mark its best start to a Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season by winning Saturday’s home game against South Bendigo.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Magpies are eyeing a hat-trick of wins after success against Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat.
A huge crowd is likely to turn up at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve to watch the Magpies take on the Bloods from 2.20pm.
It’s a high-stakes contest for both clubs.
A two-one record has South Bendigo perched in second place on the ladder, a rung above the Magpies.
Gun recruit Dylan Landt marked his first match for the Magpies by being best afield in an 88-point victory on Kangaroo Flat’s ground at Dower Park.
A huge plus for Castlemaine is the form of key forward Michael Hartley who kicked six goals against the Roos for a season tally of nine.
The Magpies coach of the previous two seasons, Hartley’s marking ability and strength in contests will be a huge threat to the Bloods defence.
Other strong targets in attack include Zack Derksen and Archie Rixon.
Castlemaine has the running power and skill of Callum McConachy, Hunter Staples and Zavier Murley.
South Bendigo withstood a final-quarter fightback from Gisborne to claim a two-point win at Harry Trott Oval in last Saturday’s showdown.
Players to watch for the Bloods include ruckmen-forwards Mac Cameron and Callum Crisp, the skilful Josh Nitschke, Brody Haddow, Coen Harker, and captain Zac Hare.
The Troy Coates and Jack Fallon-coached Bloods have a strong attack that includes Brock Harvey, James Davies and Alex Smith.
Gisborne will be back on its turf at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve to take on Strathfieldsaye.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne held a 16-point buffer at half-time of the clash with South Bendigo.
Quarter three was a Bloods blitz as the home team scored 5.8 and kept the Bulldogs to a goal.
By the final siren South Bendigo led 91-89 against a Gisborne team in which Pat McKenna led the attack on five goals to be best along with Dylan Johnstone and Braidon Blake.
Key match-ups include Bulldogs’ captain Zac Vescovi at full-back against James Schischka, Harry Luxmoore in attack opposed by Ben Lester, and Shane Clough ruck-roving against Storm co-captain Daniel Clohesy.
The Bulldogs take on an opponent which had the bye following a seven-point win against South Bendigo on Good Friday at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.
VFL-listed players Jaidi Jackson-Leahy in the centre and Tyson McKenzie are likely to have a major influences on Storm’s play.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm also has co-captain Lachlan Ratcliffe, Cooper Jones, Zach Charles, Hunter Lawrence, George Simpson and Riley Wilson capable of winning many contests.
It’s a hat-trick of home games for Eaglehawk as the Two Blues face Kangaroo Flat at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
The Hawks struck back from a six-goal loss to Sandhurst on Easter Saturday to win the round two clash with Golden Square by 27 points.
After a superb game in defence last round the athletic Jonty Neaves was named in the ruck because Callum Heath is injured.
The Hawks’ on-ball group includes captain Billy Evans, Joel Mullen and Nick Hoare.
There’s also the run and strength of Ben Thompson, Oscar White and Thomas Bennett.
The fight for places in a team coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes is strong as the Borough chases back-to-back premierships.
Another big test for the Kangaroos who were outplayed after quarter-time in last Saturday’s clash with Castlemaine.
It’s a young Roos line-up being coached by Tyrone Downie.
Kangaroo Flat could take control in the ruck through Angus Macpherson, Max Johnson or Nick Lang.
Big roles will be played by Mitch Collins, Jake Hywood, Aaron Nevins, Zach Rouse, Mitch Rovers, Daniel Stagg, and Kyle Symons.
Broadford will be back on its turf at Harley Hammond Reserve to take on Golden Square.
Been a tough initiation for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford which played South Bendigo in a stand-alone match, had the bye at Easter, and then took on Sandhurst at the QEO last round.
Broadford’s best against Sandhurst were Oliver Lubeck, Bryce Fleming at centre half-back, ruckman Jay Eager and Seb Morris.
Key players for the Kangaroos include Jake Hibbs-Hall and Adam Miles in defence, Jaiden Magor in the centre, Louis Thompson in an on-ball or midfield role, and Oliver Lubeck, Rhys Carman and Toby Hope in attack.
Although it takes a nil-two record into this match, Golden Square has put together many great passages of play.
Consistency in every quarter will be a key for the Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett-coached Bulldogs.
There was a lot to like as Golden Square scored five goals in the third quarter on Eaglehawk’s turf.
Key players for the blue and gold include Isaac Corvo, Harry and Jayden Burke, Jordan Rosengren, Jack Stewart, Tom Strauch and Noah Warfe.
The Eaton brothers, Archie and Macey team up with the likes of Josh Kelly, Archie Edwards and Jack McMahon.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 322 per cent, 8 points; South Bendigo 191, 8; Castlemaine 164, 8; Gisborne 185, 4; Strathfieldsaye 106, 4; Eaglehawk 93, 4; Golden Square 79, 0; Kangaroo Flat 34, 0; Broadford 6, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB.
9 Michael Hartley, Cm.
8 Brock Harvey, SB.
7 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Archie Rixon, Cm.
6 Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Pat McKenna, Gis.; Alex Smith, SB.
5 Jacob Austin, SB; Caleb Connick, Sh; James Frawley, SB; Brody Haddow, SB; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Anthony Zimmerman, SB.
4 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; Adam Brancatisano, Gis.; Mac Cameron, SB; Tom Campbell, Sh; Archie Eaton, GS; Coen Harker, SB; Dylan Landt, Cm; Oliver Morris, Sh.
