WEEK 1 FINALS NETBALL PREVIEW | Sandhurst renews fierce on-court rivalry with Gisborne
A FIERCE on-court rivalry between Sandhurst and Gisborne plays out in Saturday’s start to the A-grade finals series in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League.
The Dragons and Bulldogs will meet in the qualifying final at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.
First pass in the big clash between two clubs which have featured in many great finals across 20 years will be at 3.20pm.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between Sandhurst and Gisborne who ended the home-and-away series on win-loss tallies of 13-3.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst scored a 44-40 victory in the eighth round on Gisborne’s court at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve.
Scores were identical, but flipped as the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne took the points from Queen Elizabeth Oval in the 17th round.
The Sandhurst team is Shae Clifford, Sophie James (Shoebridge), Claire McGee, Heath Oliver, Kelsey Ralph, Rebecca Smith, Ruby Turner, Harriet Whiteacre, Darcy Williams, and Meg Williams.
Key players for Gisborne include co-captains Kirby Elliott and Charlee Kemp, Amity Drayton and Torie Skrijel.
The team in red, white and blue also has Charlee Duff-Tytler, Emerson Lakey, Emily Miles and Tilly Shepherd to take to the court.
An unbeaten Kangaroo Flat awaits to face Gisborne or Sandhurst in the second semi-final on September 5.
A Kangaroos’ team coached by Jayden Cowling is chasing back-to-back premierships.
On Sunday it will be South Bendigo and Eaglehawk fighting to stay in the premiership race when they contest the elimination final at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The showdown between the Bloods and Hawks will start at 3.20pm.
These teams met on Anzac Day where the Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo won 58-52 under the lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Next time around was in the 13th round where the Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk marked its best performance of the home-and-away series.
The Hawks swooped for a 75-60 victory at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
South Bendigo has the experience and on-court leadership of co-captains Steph Greene and Gabe Richards, and Steph MacCallum as vice-captain.
The Bloods’ squad includes Carissa Brook, Kyla Byrne, Isabel Coutts, Tegan Elliston, Eliza Hynes, Gabby Moore, Sarah Nash, and Andrea Wilson.
On the sideines South Bendigo has the experience of assistant coach Mel Dillon to draw on.
A superb coaching career for Janelle Hobbs across the Bendigo FNL includes stints with Kangaroo Flat, South Bendigo, and now Eaglehawk.
Players to watch for the Two Blues include Ella Flavell, Sienna Hobbs, Allira Holmes and Chloe Langley.
Eaglehawk is also represented by Gracie Berryman, Kate Clow, Briella Gibbs, Morgan Keating, Rani Madden and Mia McCrann-Peters.
In the A-reserve competition it will be South Bendigo against Gisborne in the qualifying final from 2pm.
A South Bendigo team coached by Lauren Bowles and Amanda Walters completed the home-and-away series on a 12-2 record.
The Kayleen Elliott-coached Gisborne has a nine-five record.
Both contests in the run to the finals were incredibly close.
South Bendigo scored a 50-46 victory in the round two match at Harry Trott Oval.
In round 11 the Bloods fought on to net a 55-52 win at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
South Bendigo is led by captain Sarah Nash and co vice-captains Katelyn Parry and Olivia Treloar.
Also in the Bloods’ squad are Kira Baldwin, Lauren Bowles, Carissa Brook, Shelley DeAraugo, Remi Kuhne, Olivia Mason and Avy Morrissey.
Gisborne has Eloise Rodda as captain to team with Charlotte Crook, Nirvana Martin and Emily McDonald.
The Bulldogs are also represented by Alexandra Russ, Reece Sutton, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier and Demi Young.
The winner will meet Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.
On Sunday it will be Sandhurst against Eaglehawk in the A-reserve elimination final.
Play at Triple M Park will start at 2pm.
The Tamara Gilchrist and Gabriella Greene-coached Sandhurst has a nine-rive record.
An Eaglehawk team coached by Paige Combridge has had six wins, a draw, seven losses in its run to grab fifth place.
Sandhurst won both duels with Eaglehawk in the home-and-away series by 10 goals both times.
The Dragons won 50-40 in the first round at C and M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
It was 54-44 the way of the Dragons at the end of the round 10 clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Sandhurst’s team is Reese Gilchrist, Maggie Keating, Tess Keating, Lila Kelly, Diana Napoleon, Alexis Phillips, Neve Pinner, Lucy Sherriff and Katherine Winwood.
The squad from Eaglehawk is Macey Brereton, Imogen Brown, Kate Clow, Charli Crawford, Montana Davies, Briella Gibbs, Darcey Lloyd, Rani Madden, Abbey McLean, Sophie McLean and Josie Walsh.
It will be South Bendigo against Strathfieldsaye in the B-grade qualifying final.
Play starts at 12.40pm.
The Bloods and Storm roll into the finals on 12-4 record.
In round one it was the Marita Eddy and Shannyn Keely-coached South Bendigo which charged to a 44-29 victory on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park.
The Jo Artavilla and Carlie Brennan-coached Storm struck back for a 49-39 victory on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in the 10th round.
Players to watch for South Bendigo include captain Danni Fallon, vice-captain Allana Swatton, Paige Campbell and Matilda Osborne.
The Bloods have Bella Eddy, Holly Giddings, Amanda Hollis, Shannyn Keely, Casey Mitchell, Eliza Richmond, Phoebe Van Huemen and Amanda Walters in their squad.
Storm’s line-up includes Chiara Artavilla, Maeve Cass, Imogen Currie and Makayle Dole.
Strathfieldsaye will also Sienna Eddy, Olivia Erwin, Macey Murphy, Macey O’Shea and Ella Pitson take to the court.
The winner meets Gisborne in the second semi-final.
On Sunday it will be Kangaroo Flat against Sandhurst in the elimination final.
A record of 11 wins, four defeats and a draw by the Chelsea Sartori and Kate Newman-coached Kangaroo Flat includes defeating Sandhurst both times.
The Roos won the round five match on the QEO court by 10 goals.
It was seven-goal margin as the Kangaroos claimed a 44-37 victory at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park in the 14th round.
The Sophie James and Rebecca Smith-coached Sandhurst has an eight-eight record rolling into Sunday’s match.
Kangaroo Flat’s squad is Isabella Allen, Taylah Collins, Lily Dickson, Molly Drum, Darcie Fry, Zali Hocking, Gemma Roberts, Alex Rusbridge and Claudia Shelton.
The Sandhurst squad is Erica Dalrymple-Monro, Lucia Dyer, Sophie Giles, Tess Mills, Meg Pearce, Ava Perez, Sahara Rodda, Milla Sherriff, Bridget Turner and Ruby Walsh.
In B-reserve, Gisborne and South Bendigo meet in Saturday’s qualifying final at 11.20am.
The Shelley Farrugia-coached Gisborne has a record of 13 wins, one draw, two defeats.
South Bendigo ended the home-and-away series in third place with an 11-3 record.
The Sarah Dennis and Katie Richmond-coached South Bendigo played in a 46-all draw at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round 11.
The Bulldogs won the round two match with the red and white at Harry Trott Oval by 13 goals.
Gisborne’s squad captained by Caytlyn Walker is Holly Brewer, Macey Drayton, Shelley Farrugia, Sapphy McCarthy, Bec Merrett, Lily Prater and Bridget Salter.
The Bloods have Caitlyn Bowe and Montana Pinchbeck as co-captains.
South Bendigo’s squad is Jorja Brown, Sunny Childs, Sarah Dennis, Simone Edgley, Laura Power, Ariana Ralph, Kirsanda Shepherd, Mia Smith and Emma Tomlins.
The winner meets Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.
Strathfieldsaye faces Sandhurst in the B-reserve elimination final from 11.20am.
The Jo Artavilla and Charlie Brennan-coached Strathfieldsaye has a record of 10 wins, five losses, and a draw.
Sandhurst has a nine-seven record.
In round seven the Jarileey Scholtes-coached Sandhurst scored a 46-42 win against Storm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Storm struck back to claim a 48-44 victory against the Dragons in the 16th round at Triple M Park.
Strathfieldsaye’s squad is Bridget Abe, Jazna Austin, Chelsea Crapper, Lana Marsh, Charli McInerney, Renn Minne, Ella O’Gorman, Madison Poke and Mackenzie Strawbridge.
Sandhurst will be represented in this match by Laila Day, Tahli Gilchrist, Abbey Howard, Tarryn Knights, Isabella Kulhe, Ella Maxted, Tahlia Maxted, Abbey McCarthy, Brooke McClelland, Annie Palmer and Jarileey Scholtes.
The 17-and-under qualifying final featues Golden Square against Strathfieldsaye from 10am.
A Golden Square team coached by Jody Richards has a 13-3 record.
The Fiona Schubert and Julie Fennell-coached Storm has a 12-4 tally.
When these teams met in round eight it was Storm which surged to a 54-45 win at Triple M Park.
A top contest in round 17 at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street ended up 40-38 in favour of Golden Square.
The Golden Square squad is Anya Basilewsky, Rehmi Burke, Rachael Flood, Ginger Hay, Scout Hayes, Juliet Hogan, Grace Mulqueen, Mackenzie Trotter, Lily Wise and Corey Woods.
Strathfieldsaye will be represented by Lexi Arundell, Lexie Fennell, Chella Fitzgerald, Rania Jackson-Leahy, Sophie McDermott, Dempsey McDonnell, Ady Neilson, Eden Pollard and Chloe Tweed.
The Bulldogs or Storm will face Sandhurst in the second semi-final.
Eaglehawk and South Bendigo will contest the 17-and-under elimination final.
The Janelle Hobbs and Paige Combridge-coached Eaglehawk has an 8-7 record and one draw.
A South Bendigo team coached by Lauren Bowles and Gabe Richards is on an eight-eight tally.
When these teams met on Anzac Day it was the Hawks who soared to a 48-40 win at the QEO.
The round 13 match at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park ended in a 55-34 win for the Two Blues.
Eaglehawk’s squad is Lily Ancrum, Imogen Brown, Alexis Coates, Zara Crapper, Piper Farmer, Lexi Jones, Charli McQueen, Ashleigh Medhurst, D’Lilah Shatwell and Alyssa Wardell.
The Bloods’ line-up includes Macey Pinner as captain, Amalie Blanchard, Remy Kearns, Peyton Lakey and Jessica Leed.
Also in the red and white will be Sophie Mahony, Lily McKee, Harper Milroy, Mannon Milroy, Rosie Sheldrick, Mia Smith and Mahli Stone.
In the 15-and-under competition, Golden Square meets South Bendigo in the qualifying final at 8.40am on Saturday.
A 10-2 run by the Clare Hope and Shari McPherson-coached Golden Square includes wins against South Bendigo by 25 and 22 goals.
The winner meets Sandhurst in the second semi-final.
A strong squad for Golden Square is Daisy Costello, Milla Dalton, Regan Hay, Ava Hope, Indie Kramer, Alice McIntosh, Scarlett Ramsey, Maddison Ryan, Marlie Skinner, Thea Tobin, Ella Tyrrell and Livi Warfe.
The Rox Hayes-coached South Bendigo has Bella Cail as captain to team with Laila Cail, Indie Colley, Lily Diss, Emily Dullard and Eily Ellis-Fedke.
The Bloods will also be represented by Lily Hearps, Ivy Pinner, Ruby Polson, Harper Smith and Perry Westley.
On Sunday it will be Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye vying to stay in the race.
The Abbey McLean and Gracie Berryman has a six-six record.
It’s a four-eight tally for the Fiona Schubert and Makayle Dole-coached Strathfieldsaye.
The Hawks and Storm have played out two thrillers.
Eaglehawk won 41-39 at Canterbury Park in round five.
The Borough scored a 36-35 victory on Storm’s court in the 14th round at Triple M Park.
Eaglehawk’s squad is Nevaeh Coates, Lacey Ermel, Chelsea Korp, Willow Michielsen, Ruby Miller, Charlotte Morrissey, Lana Medhurst, Maggie Pollock, Olive Rhoden and Izzy Whelan.
Storm’s squad is Mia Behrens, Adeline Bennallack, Arie Dean, Molly Doherty, Cammie Fitzgerald, Alice Fraser, Adaysha Giles, Ava Green, Emma Hietbrink, Lily McMaster and Ella Schubert.
Schedule for Saturday’s qualifying finals at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington:
15-and-under at 8.40am: Golden Square v South Bendigo.
17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v South Bendigo.
B-grade at 12.40pm: South Bendigo v Strathfieldsaye.
A-reserve at 2pm: South Bendigo v Gisborne.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
Schedule for Sunday’s elimination finals at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane:
15-and-under at 8.40am: Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.
17-and-under at 10am: Eaglehawk v South Bendigo.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.
A-reserve at 2pm: Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.
A-grade at 3.20pm: South Bendigo v Eaglehawk.
