A HAT-TRICK of defeats is a prospect Sandhurst’s senior footy teams have not faced in many Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL seasons.
The Dragons confront that scenario this Saturday in the King’s Birthday holiday weekend match on Gisborne’s turf at Gardiner Reserve.
Heat’s on the Dragons after they were beaten by South Bendigo in the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup match, and then in last Sunday’s clash with Strathfieldsaye to complete Indigenous Round.
Fighting to regain confidence and form, Sandhurst faces arguably the most daunting road trip in the competition.
A Gisborne line-up packed with on-ball stars Brad Bernacki, Adam Brancatisano and James Gray awaits for another big challenge.
The Bulldogs will be without number one ruckman Braidon Blake and ruck-rover Dylan Johnstone.
Boyd Nalder again steps up to play in the ruck against Lachlan Watson.
Gun forward Pat McKenna kicked 14 goals in the win at Broadford and looms as a huge threat to Sandhurst’s chances of claiming the four points.
The Bulldogs had plenty of players slot goals at Broadford.
Multiple goalkickers in the big win were Campbell Johns, Zac Denahy, Lucas Hannon, Dominic Sullivan, Thomas Werner, and Kobe Zerafa.
Bulldogs’ captain Zach Vescovi is having an outstanding season in defence.
For a Sandhurst team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, it will be pressure and workrate that play a major part in their game.
Key players in the maroon and blue include ruck-rover Lachie Hood, Lachlan Wright at centre half-back, James Coghlan in the centre, Cobi Maxted and Hugh Schmertz in attack.
Inclusions for Sandhurst include Oscar Cail who kicked 57 goals in 20 matches as the under-18s team won last season’s premiership and .
Cail has played six matches for the La Trobe University Bendigo Pioneers in this year’s Talent League action and also in the under-18 state trial match against the VFL Young Guns.
Will be massive test for the Dragons who have several key players out injured.
In defence Sandhurst will look to Jaxon Howard, Darcy Mills and Cooper Smith to shut down their opponents, but also link in the chain on counter-attacks.
Strathfieldsaye tackles Golden Square in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Strathfieldsaye has moved to the third rung and will fight to hold a double chance at finals time.
Since a 35-point loss at Gisborne in round three Storm has struck back to beat Castlemaine, Eaglehawk, Broadford and Sandhurst.
Highs for Strathfieldsaye include the form of key forward James Schischka who kicked six goals in the latest victory on Sandhurst’s turf.
There’s plenty of running power and skill in a Storm line-up that includes co-captain Daniel Clohesy, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy in the centre, Pat Blake, Hunter Lawrence, and Darcy and Riley Mulquiny.
Strathfieldsaye also has the marking power of Jed Brereton and Zach Charles in attack.
In defence it’s Cooper Jones, Kya Lanfranchi and Lachlan Ratcliffe who lead the way for Strathfieldsaye.
Another big test for Golden Square following its home game against South Bendigo.
Key players in a Bulldogs’ line-up coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, include ruck-rover Jordan Rosengren, Harry and Jayden Burke, Jack McMahon and Jack Stewart.
Golden Square regains Isaac Corvo for his first game in the blue and gold since the fourth round.
Crucial roles will be played by Noah Warfe and James Wilkinson in the key defensive posts for the Bulldogs.
Carson James will be keen to perform well against his former club.
Castlemaine takes on Broadford at The Railway Hotel in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Magpies had a tough run in May as they played Strathfieldsaye, Gisborne, and reigning premier Eaglehawk.
The Magpies start hot favourite to take the points against the Kangaroos.
Best for Castlemaine in the clash with the Hawks were Michael Hartley, Dylan Landt, Zavier Murley and Darby Semmens.
The Magpies’ squad includes Zack Derksen and Archie Rixon in attack, Kalan Huntly, Hunter Staples and John Watson.
Castlemaine starts this round a win and seven per cent behind the fifth-placed Eaglehawk.
Broadford faced a red-hot Gisborne on the Kangaroos’ ground at Harley Hammond Reserve last Saturday.
Every match is a learning experience for a young Broadford team coached by Nathan Thompson.
Key players for the Kangaroos include Jay Eager, Seb Morris, captain Adam Miles, Ben and Louis Thompson, Rhys Carman and Taiten Thomas.
The ladder-leading South Bendigo is back on its turf at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to play Kangaroo Flat.
Competition for places in the Bloods’ best is hot.
As such co-coaches Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, will be keen to see the team sustain its high level of intensity and skill.
In-form players for South Bendigo include Tom Templeton, on-ballers Brody Haddow and Coen Harker, and Will Allen at centre half-back.
The ‘ins’ for the Bloods include athletic ruckman/forward Zaydyn Lockwood who earnt the Neville Strauch Medal as the Bendigo Pioneers fairest and best last season.
Lockwood also played for the VFL Young Guns against the Talent League Young Guns in the under-18s state trial match on Anzac Day.
Big test for Lockwood pitted in the ruck against Kangaroo Flat gun Angus Macpherson who starred for the Bendigo FNL in the inter-league win against Ovens and Murray.
Another big test for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat.
The Roos’ play at centre ball-ups and stoppages will be crucial in limiting the Bloods having an easy run into attack.
A strong forward line for South Bendigo includes Brock Harvey, Logan Howell, Alex Smith and Anthony Zimmerman.
Kangaroo Flat had the bye last round following a 39-point loss to Golden Square.
Players to watch for the Roos include Nick Keogh and Nick Lang in attack, Jordan Rouse, Zac Featherby and Daniel Stagg in defence.
Kangaroo Flat will look for big games from the likes of Aaron Nevins, Mitch Collins, Mitch Rovers and Kyle Symons.
The Roos also have the talented Jeremy Rodi in for his third game of the season.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
South Bendigo 171 per cent, 24 points; Gisborne 200, 20; Strathfieldsaye 166, 20; Sandhurst 174, 16; Eaglehawk 103, 12; Golden Square 109, 8; Castlemaine 96, 8; Kangaroo Flat 59, 4; Broadford 12, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
28 Pat McKenna, Gis.
24 James Schischka, S’saye.
19 Brock Harvey, SB.
15 Fergus Greene, Sh; Nick Keogh, KF.
13 Brody Haddow, SB; Ben Thompson, Eh.
12 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Archie Eaton, GS; James Frawley, SB; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Alex Smith, SB.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Pat Blake S’saye; Michael Hartley, Cm.
10 Bailey Henderson, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Jordan Rosengren, GS; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Tom Strauch, GS.
