ROUND 7 NETBALL PREVIEW
BY NATHAN DOLE
Sister pits coaching skills against brother
IT WILL be an historic moment at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval when Lauren Bowles, nee Cowling, pits her coaching skills against younger brother Jayden in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball.
Sibling rivalry will be on show when the Bowles-coached South Bendigo strives to end Kangaroo Flat’s unbeaten run at the Neale Street ground.
The Bloods and Roos clash starts at 1pm.
The Bendigo FNL will also mark Indigenous Round at matches being played in Eaglehawk, Gisborne, Kennington and Strathfieldsaye.
In her first season coaching South Bendigo after a successful run at White Hills, Lauren Bowles has returned to the Bendigo competition this season.
A superb on-court career for Lauren Cowling included a premiership victory with Kangaroo Flat.
The brilliant centre was joint recipient of the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best with Maryborough’s Krystal Doherty in 2008.
It was a memorable start for Bowles at South Bendigo as the Bloods won the season-opener against Strathfieldsaye Storm at Harry Trott Oval.
Since then the Bloods have chalked up a draw with Eaglehawk on Anzac Day at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Bloods were stung by a five-goal loss at Golden Square last Saturday.
A tally of six points has South Bendigo holding fifth place on the ladder and under pressure from Golden Square to stay there.
As the red and white was beaten last round, Kangaroo Flat dominated on its court at Dower Park to beat Strathfieldsaye Storm by 55 goals.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won all quarters in a 79-24 victory.
Throughout Cowling’s coaching reign the Roos have been runner-up in 2019, ’22 and last September.
Strong in all thirds of the quarter, Kangaroo Flat has shown it’s a strong contender to net the premiership cup this season.
Eaglehawk will embrace the challenge of playing Sandhurst this Saturday as fourth faces second at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 2.30pm.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Hawks will have sights on what would be an upset victory against the maroon and blue.
It was a rest for Eaglehawk in A-grade last round because Castlemaine is not fielding a team in the top grade this season.
As the Hawks rested, Sandhurst scored a 50-32 win against Gisborne.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached maroon and blue won three of four quarters against the reigning premier.
Outpointed by Sandhurst on the QEO court last round, Gisborne has a home game against Golden Square at Gardiner Reserve.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne will start favourite to win the match between the league’s two breed of Bulldog which tips off at 2.30pm.
Gisborne’s win-loss tally of three-two includes victories against South Bendigo, Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk.
Confidence in Golden Square’s line-up will have risen sharply after the 44-39 win at home in Wade Street against South Bendigo.
The Teigan Redwood-coached team will be determined to take it right up to Gisborne in every quarter.
It’s a rest for the Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm will take on Castlemaine in all other grades at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 256 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 168, 16; Gisborne 98, 12; Eaglehawk 80, 10; South Bendigo 81, 6; Golden Square 63, 4; Strathfieldsaye 59, 4.
League ladders after six rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 158 per cent, 22 points; Kangaroo Flat 146, 20; Sandhurst 151, 18; South Bendigo 109, 12; Strathfieldsaye 94, 12; Eaglehawk 76, 8; Castlemaine 58, 4; Golden Square 62, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 225 per cent, 24 points; South Bendigo 122.7, 20; Kangaroo Flat 122.5, 20; Sandhurst 114, 12; Strathfieldsaye 93, 8; Eaglehawk 76, 8; Golden Square 80, 4; Castlemaine 44, 0.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 213 per cent, 24 points; Sandhurst 157, 20; Strathfieldsaye 113, 16; Kangaroo Flat 158, 12; South Bendigo 118, 12; Eaglehawk 72, 8; Golden Square 88, 4; Castlemaine 16, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 193 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 236, 20; Strathfieldsaye 177, 16; Gisborne 124, 16; Castlemaine 64, 8; Eaglehawk 65, 6; Kangaroo Flat 61, 6; South Bendigo 30, 0.
