ROUND 6 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Grand finalists in rematch on QEO
BY NATHAN DOLE
A REMATCH of ’24 grand finalists, Sandhurst and Gisborne highlights Saturday’s sixth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Dragons and Bulldogs meet again at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Last September it was Sandhurst which claimed the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup in a four-point victory.
It’s also Sandhurst’s first match since the sudden passing of Adam Selwood who was an under-18s premiership winner with the club in 2001.
Adam’s journey to the big league and a premiership with West Coast Eagles included playing for St Therese’s, Sandhurst, and Bendigo Pioneers.
Both the Dragons and Bulldogs line-ups have changed markedly since last September’s grand final.
This season it’s Bryce Curnow who has teamed up with brilliant on-baller and Michelsen medallist Lachlan Tardrew as co-coaches.
After declaring the grand final would be his final game and being on the sidelines in the early rounds of ’25, Curnow is back in action for the maroon and blue.
At Gisborne, Rob Waters has stayed on to coach a Bulldogs line-up which has blooded many talented youngsters.
A key factor in Saturday’s match will be the workrate of the on-ball and midfield groups.
Sandhurst has Seb Collins in the ruck, Lachlan Tardrew and James Coghlan as ruck-rover and rover, and co-captain Cooper Smith in the centre.
Gisborne welcomes back Michelsen medallist and gun ruckman Braidon Blake to team up with Shane Clough, James Gray and Brad Bernacki.
A Dragons’ defence led by Liam Ireland, Lachlan Wright, Darcy Mills and Matt Wilkinson takes on Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore, Zac Denahy and Luke Meletis.
Bulldogs’ captain Jack Reaper is one of the competition’s most consistent defenders and has great support from Jed Denahy, Zac Vescovi and Elijah Bretherton.
Although Ron Best medallist Fergus Greene is still sidelined as he recovers from a broken leg the Dragons have plenty of scoring options.
Targets in Sandhurst’s forward 50m arc include Tom Campbell, Cobi Maxted and Hugh Schmetzer.
It’s the Magpies against the Hawks as Castlemaine and Eaglehawk clash at Camp Reserve.
Fifth on the ladder, Castlemaine will be desperate to take the points.
Victory against the second-placed Hawks will lift the belief within the Michael Hartley-coached Castlemaine line-up it can challenge the league’s best.
A key to the Magpies’ chances will be the on-ball duels.
Big roles will be played by Josh Eyre, Zavier Murley, Kalan Huntly and Callum McConachy against Brayden Frost, Ben Thompson, Joel Mullen and Billy Evans.
In attack, Eaglehawk has co-coach Clayton Holmes and Jack O’Shannessy in hot form.
Both capped off many moves in an 85-49 win against Strathfieldsaye last Saturday.
Massive test for Magpies’ defenders Brodie Byrne and Liam Wilkinson to limit the impact their opponents have on this match.
Castlemaine’s targets near goal include Ronald Fejo, Zach Greeves and Michael Hartley.
Defensively the Two Blues who have Travis Matheson as non-playing co-coach have Charlie Langford, Ayden and Ethan Hanley to lead the way.
After breaking its season ‘duck’ last round, Golden Square is back on home turf in Wade Street to take on South Bendigo.
The Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs continued the club’s hoodoo against Kangaroo Flat last Saturday as Carson and Brodie James, Xavier Carter and Dermott Bell were among the best in a 95-38 victory.
A highlight of this contest will be the on-ball battles where Golden Square has Daniel Keating, Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves and Tom Strauch to take charge at centre breaks.
Huge plus for South Bendigo is the return of ruckman Mac Cameron from injury.
The Bloods’ set-up in the centre includes Jesse Collins, Antony Zimmerman and Brody Haddow.
In attack, Bulldogs’ captain Jayden Burke will test the Bloods with his marking power.
Other players to watch in the blue and gold include Jon Coe and Zack Shelton in defence, Drew Barrett and Melvic Pambai.
Golden Square will be without Tommi Turner who starts a two-match suspension after an early guilty plea to rough conduct against Kangaroo Flat.
Lachlan Humphrey was reprimanded after an early guilty plea to rough conduct against the Roos.
A new-look coaching panel for the Bloods of Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, will be determined to hit back after a big loss to Sandhurst in the clash for the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup.
The Bloods also regain brilliant small forward Steven Stroobants after serving a four-match suspension.
Key players in the red and white include Kaiden Antonowicz and Brock Harvey in attack, Joel Swatton, Tom Brereton, captain Zac Hare, and Alex Davis.
Kangaroo Flat is back on home turf at Dower Park to take on Strathfieldsaye Storm.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos are still chasing their first win of the season.
Best for the Flat against Golden Square were ruckman Angus Macpherson, Josh Leersen and Zach Rouse.
There was a lot to like about the play of skilful youngster Xavier Coghill.
The Roos will need big games from the likes of Ethan Roberts, Nick Lang, Daniel and Luke Stagg, and Kyle Symons to challenge Storm in every quarter.
Victory is a must for Strathfieldsaye to stay in striking distance of or perhaps grab a place in the top five.
Storm coach Luke Freeman marks a return to a ground he knows well as his footy journey includes a stint as an assistant coach at Kangaroo Flat.
The Stormers are likely to have too much run and skill through midfield for the Flat to contain.
Key players for Strathfieldsaye include Sam Heavyside, Bode Stevens, Riley Wilson and Michelsen medallist Jake Moorhead.
The Storm also has Tim Hosking in the ruck, Hunter Lawrence and Ben Lester in defence, Jai Featherby on a wing, Zach Charles and Jed Daniels in attack.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 282 per cent, 20 points; Eaglehawk 200, 16; Gisborne 148, 16; South Bendigo 92, 12; Castlemaine 85, 8; Strathfieldsaye 79, 4; Golden Square 69, 4; Kangaroo Flat 27, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
15 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
14 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
11 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
11 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
11 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
10 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
10 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
9 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
9 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
9 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
8 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
8 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
7 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
7 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
7 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
6 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
6 James Gray, Gisborne.
6 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
6 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
6 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
6 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
