BFNL ROUND 3 NETBALL PREVIEW
McGlashan leads Bloods on Roos’ court
A PREMIERSHIP star with Kangaroo Flat, Alicia McGlashan returns to Dower Park as playing coach of South Bendigo for Saturday’s third round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
One of the league’s best across many seasons, McGlashan has stepped up from being star player to be the on-court coach for Bloods.
A one-one record has the Bloods in sixth place on the A-grade ladder.
McGlashan’s coaching debut began with a hard-fought win against Strathfieldsaye on Storm’s court at Triple M Park.
In round two it was Castlemaine which beat South Bendigo, 41-27 in the Bloods’ home at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Defeated by seven goals in the round one clash with Sandhurst, Kangaroo Flat had a rest last Saturday because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team.
A skilful Kangaroos’ line-up coached by Jayden Cowling will start favourite to take the points against the Bloods.
Among the players to watch for the Roos will be goaler Chloe Langley who crossed from South Bendigo.
Mid-court duels will be crucial and it’s where Flat may hold an edge through the play of Chelsea Sartori, Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks.
Key players for the Bloods include Ella Flavell, Steph Goode, Chloe Gray, and goaler Olivia Mason.
The ladder-leading Strathfieldsaye is at home in Tannery Lane to take on Eaglehawk.
Storm teamed superbly on Golden Square’s court last Saturday to record a 56-36 victory.
The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm will be aiming to bring a high level of defensive intensity and slick teamwork to a showdown with the Two Blues.
Best in Strathfieldsaye’s win at Golden Square were Brooke Mangan and goaler Claire Gibbs.
An Eaglehawk team coached by Kylie Piercy started the season with an 11-goal win against Golden Square on the Borough’s court in Canterbury Park.
Eaglehawk had the bye last round.
The Hawks’ squad includes Tiarni Baxter, Morgan Keating, Elley Lawton and Rani Madden.
The Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine will chase consecutive wins when it hosts Golden Square at Camp Reserve.
After a delayed start to the ’24 campaign as it was drawn to play Maryborough in the stand-alone match on Good Friday, Castlemaine played well to beat the Bloods in round two.
Although it’s winless the Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square has put in some strong quarters against Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye.
Reigning premier Gisborne has a rest this round because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs scored a 42-38 victory against Sandhurst on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval last Saturday.
All other grades of netball between Gisborne and Maryborough will be played at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Castlemaine 151 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 133, 4; Strathfieldsaye 125, 4; Gisborne 110, 4; Sandhurst 103, 4; South Bendigo 84, 4; Kangaroo Flat 84, 0; Golden Square 69, 0.
