GOLDEN Square faces a huge challenge against the ladder-leading South Bendigo in Saturday’s marquee match of Indigenous Round across Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
As the league marks the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our great game, Golden Square and South Bendigo renew a great rivalry forged in many great contests.
The lead-up to the senior match includes Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on djandak (Country) by Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People).
Both clubs will wear new-look football jumpers and/or netball dresses for their matches at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
On field the fifth-placed Golden Square has the running power to test the ladder-leading Bloods.
Sustaining the pressure across four quarters was something the Bulldogs could not do against Sandhurst or reigning premier Eaglehawk.
The Bulldogs have ruckman Liam Hoy, Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves and Harry Burke capable of winning many contests.
There’s also the excitement generated by younger players such as Archie and Macey Eaton, Tommi Turner, Noah Warfe and Matt Wilkinson.
It’s the start of a gruelling three-week stretch for the Brad Eaton and Liam Barrett-coached Bulldogs as they take on South Bendigo, play at Strathfieldsaye on King’s Birthday weekend, and then host Gisborne in round nine.
Key players for the blue and gold in Jayden Burke, Jack Stewart and Tom Strauch were superb as Bendigo beat Ovens and Murray in the inter-league match.
South Bendigo rolls into this contest following an eight-goal win against Sandhurst to reclaim the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup.
The height and marking power of Callum Crisp and Mac Cameron in the ruck or attack will be a major threat for Golden Square.
South Bendigo also regains brilliant forward Brock Harvey to take on his former club.
Other key players for the Troy Coates and Jack Fallon-coached Bloods include rover Brody Haddow, Will Allen at centre half-back, Tom Templeton and Zac Hare in midfield, Coen Harker ruck-roving, and Josh Nitschke off half-back.
After crossing from Sandhurst, Jack English has quickly became a key playmaker for the Bloods.
It’s a huge match for Eaglehawk and Castlemaine on the Borough’s turf at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
It’s seventh against sixth as both teams are locked on eight premiership points.
The Hawks have not had a bye.
In the past two rounds Eaglehawk was beaten by seven points at home by Strathfieldsaye and then at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
Back on home turf and before a parochial crowd the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk will be desperate to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.
Key players for the Two Blues include ruckman Callum Heath, captain and on-baller Billy Evans, midfielder Ben Thompson, Joel Mullen, Oscar White and Bailey Ilsley.
Huge plus for the Borough is the return of talented forward Jack O’Shannessy for his first match since round one against Sandhurst on Easter Saturday.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Castlemaine took it right up to Gisborne in the fifth round.
Key forward Michael Hartley was in great form for Bendigo against O and M and will again be a major focus of Eaglehawk’s defensive plans.
A late call-up for the inter-league match, Harrison Sheahan also starred across midfield and in attack for the blue and gold.
Best for the Magpies in the clash with Gisborne included Brodie Byrne, Dylan Landt, Xavier Murley, Hunter Staples and Jack Sutherland.
The Castlemaine squad includes Zack Derksen, Will Marks, Callum McConachy, and Darby Semmens.
Broadford is on its turf at Harley Hammond Reserve to take on Gisborne.
The Nathan Thompson-coached Kangaroos keep working hard on team defence.
Was a tough hit-out for Broadford at Strathfieldsaye last round.
Key matches for the Kangaroos include captain Adam Miles at full-back against Pat McKenna, Jarrah Younger at centre half-back opposed to Zac Denahy.
A highlight will be the centre where Louis Thompson takes on Dylan Johnstone who earnt the Derrick Filo Medal as Bendigo’s best against Ovens and Murray.
On the wings the Roos have Brodie Stray and Taiten Thomas up against Thomas Werner and Lucas Hannon.
Huge test for Broadford against the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne which has on-ballers Brad Bernacki and James Gray in great form.
The Bulldogs also welcome back gun ruckman and Michelsen medallist Briadon Blake from injury.
Broadford’s on-ball group is ruckman Jay Eager, Charlie Neilson and Seb Morris.
Bulldogs’ captain Zac Vescovi showed why he is one of the competition’s best defenders against the O and M attack and he joins forces in the red, white and blue with Jed Denahy and Frank Schpano.
It’s a stand-alone match on Sunday between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.
The Bryce Curnow and Fergus Greene-coached Sandhurst is on the rebound from its first defeat of the season.
Expect a spirited response from a Dragons team which had Caleb Connick, Fergus Greene, Lachie Hood, Cobi Maxted and Lachlan Wright represent the league.
The Dragons welcome Hugh Schmetzer for his first match of the season.
A strong attack for Sandhurst includes Tom Campbell, Nick Stagg and Jonty Davis.
Team-mates for Bendigo, Wright and Strathfieldsaye gun forward James Schischka are likely to have a great duel.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm also has the skilful Tyson McKenzie starring in midfield or closer to goal.
McKenzie’s play in his debut Bendigo FNL season also earnt selection for inter-league.
It’s been a superb run by Strathfieldsaye which is third on a four-one record.
Storm’s sole defeat was at Gisborne in round three.
The play of co-captain Daniel Clohesy, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy in the centre, Cooper Jones, Hunter Lawrence, Kya Lanfranchi, and Darcy and Riley Mulquiny is a key factor in Strathfieldsaye’s run so far.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
South Bendigo 172 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 205, 16; Strathfieldsaye 173, 16; Gisborne 142, 16; Golden Square 128, 8; Castlemaine 100, 8; Eaglehawk 99, 8; Kangaroo Flat 59, 4; Broadford 14, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
18 James Schischka, S’saye.
16 Pat McKenna, Gis.
15 Brock Harvey, SB; Nick Keogh, KF.
12 James Frawley, SB; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Archie Eaton, GS; Alex Smith, SB; Ben Thompson, Eh.
10 Pat Blake, S’saye; Fergus Greene, Sh; Michael Hartley, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Harrison Sheahan, Cm.
9 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Brody Haddow, SB; Tom Strauch, GS.
