Round 10 Football Preview | Dragons, Bulldogs honour legendary goalkicker
THE Ron Best Memorial Shield is up for grabs as Sandhurst and Golden Square clash in Saturday’s 10th round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
A big day at Queen Elizabeth Oval will include a reunion of Golden Square’s 1975 premiership team which beat Sandhurst for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.
The Bulldogs’ team of ’75 was coached by legendary ruckman Tony ‘Bluey’ Southcombe.
Among the silverware in Sandhurst’s den is the Ron Best Memorial Shield.
From the late 60s through the 70s and early 80s, Ron Best was a dominant force in Bendigo footy, firstly with Golden Square, Sandhurst, back at Golden Square, and then Northern United.
A remarkable career of 270 games included 1624 goals and four premierships.
The ladder-leading Sandhurst will start favourite to take the points against the Bulldogs this round.
The Dragons will be wary of the young Golden Square team which finished strongly to beat Castlemaine by 23 points last Saturday.
Highlights of this contest include the on-ball duels between Sandhurst co-coach Lachlan Tardrew, James Coghlan and co-captain Cooper Smith with Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves and Tom Strauch.
In attack Sandhurst has the marking power of Tom Campbell and co-coach Bryce Curnow, and the smarts of Dayten Uerata and Nick Stagg at ground level.
A strong Sandhurst defence led by Lachlan Wright, Liam Ireland and Matt Wilkinson will not make it easy for their opponents.
Golden Square has Jack Stewart, Xavier Carter and Jack McMahon as main targets in the forward 50m arc.
The Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs will be determined to put on a strong showing on such a big occasion for both clubs.
Another big match will be at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park where the Hawks take on South Bendigo.
Both teams are in form.
On Anzac Day it was Eaglehawk which adapted to the wet conditions superbly to win by 37 points.
The Hawks have plenty of parochial support, especially at home.
The Two Blues take on a Bloods’ line-up which beat Gisborne by seven goals last round.
On-ball contests will be a significant factor in this showdown between the Hawks and Bloods.
Eaglehawk ruckman Brayden Frost will join forces with Joel Budarick, Tyh and Billy Evans.
Bloods’ ruckman Callum Crisp in in great form and has great support from Jesse Collins, co-coach Jack Fallon and Brody Haddow.
Massive test for Hawks’ defenders Charlie Langford, Jack Donat and Sam Thompson against the pace and skill of Steven Stroobants, Kaiden Antonowicz and Brock Harvey.
Another crucial match-up will be Jonty Neaves against the height and marking strength of Mac Cameron.
The Hawks go into this match without in-form forward Jack O’Shannessy and will rely a lot on the play of Bailey Ilsley and Ben Thompson in attack.
Eaglehawk is jointly coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes.
In his first year as South Bendigo’s non-playing coach, Troy Coates returns to a ground where he excelled as a player.
Strathfieldsaye Storm fronts up to Gisborne at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Five points was the margin in Gisborne’s favour at Gardiner Reserve in round three.
Storm and the Bulldogs are both on the rebound from defeat.
Highlight of this contest will be the possible match-up between Michelsen medallists Jake Moorhead for Storm and Gisborne gun Brad Bernacki.
Strathfieldsaye ruckman Tim Hosking faces a big challenge against another Michelsen medallist in Braidon Blake.
Keys to the chances of the Luke Freeman-coached Storm include the play of Sam Heavyside, Hunter Lawrence, Bode Stevens, Ben Lester and Jed Brereton.
A Strathfieldsaye defence led by Lachlan Ratcliffe, Kya Lanfranchi and Patrick Blandford takes on Pat McKenna, Harry Luxmoore and Zac Denahy.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne has Dylan Johnstone, James Gray and Thomas Werner teaming up in midfield.
Castlemaine will be back on home turf at Camp Reserve to take on Kangaroo Flat.
The Michael Hartley-coached Magpies beat the Kangaroos by 21 points in round three at Dower Park.
Last Saturday’s loss at Golden Square will make it difficult for Castlemaine to make the top five.
All is not lost, though.
Best in the Magpies’ latest hit-out were Ryan Eyre, Callum McConachy, Patrick Balta and Hunter Staples.
The Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos have played some fine quarters, but just not enough.
Kangaroo Flat will eye a great chance to end its winless streak.
Key players for the Flat include ruckman Angus Macpherson, Zach Bird, Nick Lang, Ethan Roberts, Zach Rouse and Kyle Symons.
The inclusion of Jeremy Rodi for his second match for the Roos is another huge plus.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 241 per cent, 32 points; Eaglehawk 186, 28; Gisborne 142, 28; South Bendigo 138, 24; Strathfieldsaye 90, 16; Castlemaine 67, 8; Golden Square 66, 8; Kangaroo Flat 28, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
27 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
25 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
25 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
25 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
23 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
16 Clayton Holmes, Eaglehawk.
16 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
16 Steven Stroobants, South Bendigo.
15 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
14 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.
13 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
13 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
13 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
13 Cooper Jones, Strathfieldsaye.
13 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
12 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
12 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
11 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
11 Josh Eyre, Castlemaine.
11 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.
11 Jordan Rosengren, Golden Square.
11 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
10 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
10 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.
10 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
9 Nick Lang, Kangaroo Flat.
9 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
9 Nick Stagg, Sandhurst.
8 Xavier Carter, Golden Square.
8 Jack Fallon, South Bendigo.
8 James Gray, Gisborne.
8 Tom Strauch, Golden Square.
8 John Watson, Castlemaine.
7 Sam Barnes, Kangaroo Flat.
7 Lachie Hood, Sandhurst.
7 Nick Keogh, Kangaroo Flat.
7 Luke Meletis, Gisborne.
7 Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.
7 Riley Wilson, Strathfieldsaye.
