EAGLEHAWK’S Canterbury Park will be packed this Easter Saturday for the rematch of last season’s Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior football grand finalists.
The Hawks take on Sandhurst in a stand-alone clash after three contests are played on Good Friday.
There’s been changes to the Eaglehawk and Sandhurst line-ups which met in last September’s clash for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.
On that occasion it was Eaglehawk which fought from 25 points down at the start of the last quarter to score a 94-84 victory before its parochial and passionate fans.
Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes again team up to coach the Hawks in their quest for back-to-back premierships.
Among the key inclusions for the Two Blues was the return of Michelsen medallist Noah Wheeler.
A strong on-ball and midfield group for Eaglehawk includes captain and last season’s Michelsen medallist in Billy Evans, Joel Mullen and Ben Thompson.
The Hawks also welcome back Lewin Davis to a squad that includes Charlie Langford, Jonty Neaves and Jack O’Shannessy.
Sandhurst made a change to its coaching panel as Bryce Curnow, non-playing, joins forces with key forward Fergus Greene to lead the Dragons in ’26.
The height and marking power of Tom Campbell and Lachlan Wright will test the Hawks.
At ground level the Dragons have the skilful James Coghlan, Cooper Smith, Nick Stagg and Dayten Uerata in their squad.
On Good Friday it’s Strathfieldsaye Storm on home turf at Triple M Park against South Bendigo.
Jeff Andrews is now coach of a Storm line-up determined to climb from last season’s fifth placing.
Huge plus for Strathfieldsaye is the return of key forward James Schischka and on-baller Daniel Clohesy from long-term injuries.
This season it will be Clohesy and Lachlan Ratcliffe who are Storm’s co-captains.
Strathfieldsaye’s squad includes Jed Brereton, Cooper Jones, Zane Keighran, Hunter Lawrence, Drew Lloyd and Riley Wilson.
South Bendigo dominated last Saturday’s stand-alone match at Broadford to win by 205 points.
Bloods’ coaches Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, will stress the pressure will be much higher and last a lot longer than it did against the league newcomer.
Key players for South Bendigo include Mac Cameron, Callum Crisp, Coen Harker, Brock Harvey, Brody Haddow and Nathan Kay.
After spending most of his career in defence, Bloods’ captain Zac Hare showed his pace and skill from a wing in the season opener.
Castlemaine’s Bailey Henderson marks his senior coaching debut as the Magpies host Golden Square at The Railway Hotel Reserve in Camp Reserve.
The Magpies are determined to make their way into the top five.
Wins at home will be crucial in being able to achieve that goal.
Key forward Michael Hartley stays with the Magpies after being coach the previous two seasons.
Castlemaine’s squad includes Jack Chester, Kalan Huntly, Callum McConachy, Zavier Murley, Hunter Staples and John Watson.
The Bulldogs from Golden Square are just as desperate to feature in finals once again.
Brad Eaton lines up for a third season as non-playing coach.
The club welcomes back Liam Barrett as playing co-coach.
The Bulldogs’ squad includes Drew Barrett, Harry and Jayden Burke, Terry Reeves, Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch and Noah Warfe.
Gisborne is on home turf at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve to take on Kangaroo Flat.
The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs finished third last season and still have a line-up capable of being a strong contender.
Gisborne’s squad includes Michelsen medallists Brad Bernacki and Braidon Blake, Shane Clough, Jed and Zac Denahy, Harry Luxmoore, Matt Merrett, and gun forward Pat McKenna.
It’s a big test for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroo Flat.
The Roos have been bolstered by the return of Mitch Collins, Max Johnson and Mitch Rovers to the club.
Captain Ethan Roberts and ruckman Angus Macpherson are capable of winning many contests as centre clearances and stoppages.
The Roos have the experience of ruckman/forward Nic Lang in their squad, and height of Jordan and Zach Rouse.
A key for Kangaroo Flat will be creating and capitalising on more scoring chances and also limiting the damage when Gisborne has control of the play.
