CASTLEMAINE’S fighting to prove it belongs in the top five when it tackles Sandhurst in this Saturday’s ninth round of Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Magpies are perched on the fifth rung following a big win against Broadford last round.
Now it’s a massive test on Sandhurst’s turf when the clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo kicks off at 2.20pm.
By Saturday evening the Magpies may have slipped down as the sixth-placed Eaglehawk plays at Broadford.
Castlemaine showed plenty of attacking flair as it kicked 35 goals against Broadford last Saturday at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve.
Coach of the previous two seasons, Michael Hartley led the way on 15 majors.
The Bailey Henderson-coached Magpies face an opponent which will bring a lot more pressure to every contest.
As Castlemaine dominated against the Roos, Sandhurst made a brilliant second-half fightback at Gisborne to beat the Bulldogs by 11 points.
The Dragons also avoided a hat-trick of defeats as Lachie Hood, Lachlan Wright, Cooper Smith and Jack Keating inspired team-mates.
Sandhurst’s line-up to take on the Magpies includes James Coghlan, co-coach Fergus Greene, Caleb Connick and Cobi Maxted.
The Dragons have Bryce Curnow as non-playing co-coach.
In-form players for Castlemaine include Harrison Sheahan, Zavier Murley, Hunter Staples and John Watson.
The Magpies also have Brodie Byrne, Jack Chester, Will Marks and captain Darby Semmens in their squad.
It’s the battle of two Bulldogs litters as Golden Square faces Gisborne at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Huge task for a Golden Square team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, against a Gisborne team fighting to hold onto third place and the double chance at finals time.
A two-five record has Golden Square in seventh place, but the blue and gold is a tough prospect on home turf.
Best for Golden Square in a 39-point loss at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park were Bailey and Noah Warfe, Macey Eaton, Isaac Corvo and Jordan Rosengren.
The play of Harry Burke, Archie Eaton, Terry Reeves and Jack Stewart will be crucial to Golden Square’s chances.
Gisborne will be determined to hit back from just its second defeat of the season.
A strong squad coached by Rob Waters includes Michelsen medallist Brad Bernacki, Shane Clough, captain and key defender Zach Vescovi, Jed and Zac Denahy, and gun goalkicker Pat McKenna.
Kangaroo Flat will be determined to build on the momentum from last week’s performance against South Bendigo when it takes on Strathfieldsaye at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
Although the Roos were beaten by 32 points by the ladder-leading Bloods there was plenty to like about the effort across four quarters.
A key for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat is not allowing Storm to slam on four goals or more in quick succession.
It’s going to be a huge task as Storm rolls into this match on a five-match winning streak.
Best for Kangaroo Flat against South Bendigo were the classy Aaron Nevins, ruckman Angus Macpherson, Jake Hywood and Zach Bird.
The Roos’ squad includes Mitch Collins, Zac Featherby, Nick Keogh, Nick Lang and Mitch Rovers.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Strathfieldsaye has James Schischka, Tyson McKenzie and Zach Charles leading the attack.
Storm also welcomes back ruckman Tim Hosking for his first senior game of the season.
Drew Lloyd is also back in the Storm line-up since the round one victory against South Bendigo.
Players to watch in the blue and white hoops include Pat Blake, Daniel Clohesy, Kay Lanfranchi, Darcy and Riley Mulquiny, and Lachlan Ratcliffe.
Broadford is back on its ground at Harley Hammond Reserve to take on Eaglehawk.
Another big test on a steep learning curve for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford team.
Key match-ups for the Kangaroos include Oliver Lubeck in the ruck against Callum Heath, Riley Edwards roving against Joel Mullen, and Louis Thompson opposed to Ben Thompson at centre ball-ups and stoppages.
In defence Broadford has Bryce Fleming, Adam Miles and Mitch Barclay to take on Jack Thompson, Jack O’Shannessy and Nick Thompson.
Huge challenge for Kangaroos forwards in Jarrah Younger, Jake Hibbs-Hall and C.J. Brill being given enough opportunities to test Hawks’ defenders Charlie Langford, Jonty Neaves and Sam Thompson.
An Eaglehawk team coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes will be aiming for a big lift in percentage.
South Bendigo has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
South Bendigo 167 per cent, 28 points; Strathfieldsaye 166, 24; Gisborne 179, 20; Sandhurst 163, 20; Castlemaine 135, 12; Eaglehawk 103, 12; Golden Square 101, 8; Kangaroo Flat 60, 4; Broadford 11, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
28 Pat McKenna, Gis.
26 Michael Hartley, Cm; James Schischka, S’saye.
25 Brock Harvey, SB.
17 Nick Keogh, KF.
16 Tyson McKenzie, S’saye.
15 Pat Blake, S’saye; Fergus Greene, Sh.
14 Brody Haddow, SB.
13 Zac Denahy, Gis.; Cobi Maxted, Sh; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Ben Thompson, Eh.
12 Archie Eaton, GS; James Frawley, SB; Alex Smith, SB.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Coen Harker, SB; Jordan Rosengren, GS; Archie Rixon, Cm.
10 Bailey Henderson, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.; Tom Strauch, GS.
