SANDHURST will be aiming to extend its winning streak against Eaglehawk when they meet in Saturday’s second semi-final in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy action.
After kicking off the finals series at Harry Trott Oval and Triple M Park last weekend it’s back to Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street.
It’s the home of Sandhurst FNC which ended the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
The Dragons will take on the Borough from 2.20pm.
Sandhurst and Eaglehawk met on Easter Saturday where the maroon and blue won by 38 points on the turf of the Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Eaglehawk at C and O Oval in Canterbury Park.
In round 10 the Dragons won 69-48 against the Two Blues on the QEO.
As Sandhurst had a rest last weekend Eaglehawk dominated the second half of the qualifying final against Strathfieldsaye to win by 29 points.
A key factor for a Dragons’ team coached by Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Fergus Greene, playing, will be the workrate of the on-ballers and midfield.
Sandhurst ruckman Connor Sexton faces a huge challenge against the in-form Callum Heath.
At ground level the Dragons have captain Cooper Smith, Matt Wilkinson and Dayten Uerata up against Joel Mullen, captain Billy Evans and Ben Thompson.
Sandhurst defenders Jaxon Howard, Liam Ireland and Jack Keating are up against the in-form Jacquin Mifsud, Nick Thompson and Lewin Davis.
The Hawks welcome back Holmes to the attack, but will be without talented forward Bailey Ilsley who starts a two-match ban after an early guilty plea for rough conduct.
Eaglehawk regains Noah Wheeler from suspension, but is without talented defender Charlie Langford because of concussion protocols.
A strong Sandhurst attack has the marking power of Cobi Maxted, Hugh Schmetzer and Lachlan Wright and the skill of Nick Stagg, Jacob Austin and Oliver Morris at ground level.
Massive roles will be played in the Hawks’ defence by Jonty Neaves, Dylan Hanley and Tyh Evans.
On Sunday it will be Strathfieldsaye and Gisborne fighting to stay in the race for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup when they contest the first semi-final from 2.20pm.
Storm is on the rebound from a qualifying final defeat and has a re-jigged forward line following the suspensions of James Schischka, three matches for rough conduct; and Drew Lloyd, one game for striking.
Gisborne rolls into this contest following a 52-point win against South Bendigo in the elimination final.
A key for the Jeff Andrews-coached Storm will be control of play through stoppages and the midfield.
Strathfieldsaye has Jed Brereton in the ruck to team with Daniel Clohesy, Riley Mulquiny and Jaidi Jackson-Leahy.
It will be a terrific contest between Storm’s on-ballers and the in-form Lucas Carnell, Brad Bernacki, Adam Brancatisano and Dylan Johnstone for the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne.
A lot of the responsibility in Strathfieldsaye’s attack will now be shouldered by Zach Charles, Siologa Siu, Tyson McKenzie and Riley Wilson.
Storm also has talented youngsters Hugh Behrens and Tyce Griffin capable of having an impact in attack.
They take on a Gisborne defence led by Zach Vescovi, Harry Thomas, Will Elliott and Frank Schipano.
Strathfieldsaye defenders Archer Lancaster, Ben Lester, Kya Lanfranchi, Lachlan Ratcliffe and Hunter Lawrence face a huge challenge against Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore, Shane Clough, Zac Denahy and Matt Merrett.
For the winner it’s a preliminary final showdown with the Dragons or Hawks.
Defeat will mark the end of Gisborne’s run as the club joins the Ballarat FNL from next season.
In the Drummond Golf reserves competition it’s South Bendigo against Sandhurst from 12.15pm.
A win-loss tally of 14-1 meant South Bendigo finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
The Bloods’ only defeat was to Sandhurst by 17 points at the QEO in the 15th round.
Sandhurst won last Saturday’s qualifying final against Eaglehawk by 29 points as Gus Hay, Finlay Lockhart, Will Long, Charlie Robinson, Jonty Davis and Fraser Walsh were best.
The Dragons’ squad for the second semi includes Oscar Cail, Patrick O’Farrell, Wil Pinniger and Daniel Noden.
Players to watch for South Bendigo include Cohen Balnaves, Toby Hardingham, Regan Harvey, Wil McCaig, Will Purcell and Thomas Starr.
On Sunday it will be Eaglehawk against Strathfieldsaye in the reserves.
The Hawks will be keen to hit back from their qualifying final defeat.
Strathfieldsaye won the elimination final against Kangaroo Flat by two goals.
The Hawks beat Storm by five and 16 points in the regular season.
Eaglehawk’s squad includes Cahlan Blandthorn, Aydan, Ethan and Jakeb Hanley, Jordan Mangan, Jack O’Shannessy, Jackson Vroom and Ryan Wellington.
Players to watch for Storm include Sam Heavyside, Jai Featherby, Charles Dole, Jordan Wilson, Marco Mentha, Scout Hatcher, Declan Lowther, Nate Rodda and Alex Wingrave.
In the Sportspower under-18s it’s Strathfieldsaye against South Bendigo in the second semi-final which starts at 10.15am.
A 15-1 run by Strathfieldsaye includes wins against the Bloods by 38 and six points.
As Storm had a rest last weekend, South Bendigo scored a 15-point win against Sandhurst in the qualifying final.
Best for the Bloods were Logan Howell, Lachlan Magee, Campbell Wood, Rylan Newman, Riley Davey and Sebastian Gray.
South Bendigo’s squad to front Storm includes Max Kornmann, Zavier Ralphs and Harry Warne.
Strathfieldsaye has Riley O’Donnell and Jake Schubert as captain and vice-captain.
Storm’s squad includes Ezekiel Cousins, Jack DeAraugo, Mack Elkington, Charlie Elliott, Ben Jorgensen and Sam O’Bree.
On Sunday it will be Sandhurst and Castlemaine fighting to stay in the premiership race.
In round nine it was Castlemaine which soared for a 38-35 win against the Dragons on the QEO.
Sandhurst won at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve in the 18th round by 43 points.
Best for Sandhurst in the qualifying final were Drew Warren, Thomas Smith, Jaxon Kelly, Luke Cameron, Patrick McNamara and Harry Byrne.
The Magpies won the elimination final against Golden Square by 49 points as Brian Shafik-Eid, gun forward Jack Archer, Angus Fitzgerald, Harper Kneebone, Ben Lalit and Riley Skinner led the way.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
Sportspower under-18s at 10.15am: Strathfieldsaye v South Bendigo.
Drummond Golf reserves at 12.15pm: South Bendigo v Sandhurst.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
Sportspower under-18s at 10.15am: Sandhurst v Castlemaine.
Drummond Golf reserves at 12.15pm: Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne.
