THERE’S more than four premiership points to be won as South Bendigo fights Sandhurst in this Saturday’s sixth round in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy.
The Bloods will be striving to regain the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup and in the process end Sandhurst’s unbeaten run.
The showdown between the great rivals starts at 2.20pm at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
It’s a significant day for the red and white as the club honours Graeme Wright, a key defender through the 80s who later became senior coach and also played a crucial role with the club’s junior development.
It’s been an extended break for South Bendigo since its 17-point win against Eaglehawk on Anzac Day under the lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Bloods had a rest last round as they played at Broadford in the stand-alone season opener on March 28.
On field the Bloods have the on-ball group and forwards to test Sandhurst.
A South Bendigo attack which has Brock Harvey, James Davies and Alex Smith is strengthened by the inclusion of Hawthorn premiership player James Frawley at full-forward.
Sandhurst defenders Jack Keating, Lachlan Wright, Liam Ireland and Wilson Butler face a huge challenge.
South Bendigo ruckmen Callum Crisp and Mac Cameron will look to provide first use of the footy to the likes of Brody Haddow, Coen Harker and Nathan Kay.
Huge plus for Sandhurst is the return of ruckman Lachlan Watson, but the Dragons also have Connor Sexton to contest centre ball-ups and stoppages.
At ground level the maroon and blue has Cooper Smith, :Lachie Hood, Caleb Connick and Nick Stagg.
A South Bendigo defence led by Alex Davis, Will Allen and Hayden Geddes takes on Cobi Maxted, Tom Campbell and Jonty Davis.
Bloods co-coaches Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, will have put plenty of work into the match-up on Sandhurst co-coach Fergus Greene who is starring on a wing, but can be a strong marking option in attack.
A Sandhurst line-up which has Bryce Curnow as non-playing co-coach will be determined to extend its winning streak against the Bloods.
Another big match will be at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve where the Bulldogs take on reigning premier, Eaglehawk.
It’s a huge challenge for the Hawks at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval.
A three-one record has the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne in third place.
The Bulldogs showed plenty of fight in last Saturday’s one-point win on Castlemaine’s turf at Camp Reserve.
The Hawks team coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes will be desperate for victory and to hold its place in the five.
On-ball duels will be a highlight between the Bulldogs and Hawks.
In the ruck, Gisborne has Boyd Nalder to take on Callum Heath.
The Bulldogs’ on-ball group of Brad Bernacki, Dylan Johnstone and James Gray takes on Joel Mullen, Ben Thompson and Billy Evans.
Gisborne may have too much scoring power for the Hawks to stop.
Key targets in Gisborne’s forward line include Zac Denahy, Harry Luxmoore, Adam Brancatisano and Pat McKenna.
Big roles will be played by Hawks’ defenders Jonty Neaves, Aydan Hanley, Jack Donat and Charlie Langford.
Bulldogs’ captain Zach Vescovi is likely to start at full-back against Bailey Ilsley who marks his first match of the season.
Ilsley earnt the Nalder Medal as best afield in last September’s grand final victory.
Another change at the Borough is talented Connor Evans on a half-forward flank.
Gisborne defenders Lachlan Evans, Frank Schipano and Will Elliott will work hard to limit the impact Nick Thompson, Nick Hoare and Lewin Davis have on this match.
Kangaroo Flat takes on long-time nemesis Golden Square at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
The Roos have been defeated in the past 48 showdowns with the Bulldogs.
A key for the Kangaroos will be to bring the intensity it played with against Eaglehawk in the fourth round.
Key players for the Tyrone Downie-coached Kangaroos include ruckman Angus Macpherson, Mitch Collins, Nick Keogh, Aaron Nevins, Mitch Rovers and Nick Lang.
Jordan Rouse returns to the senior team for the first time since round one.
The Golden Square team coached by Brad Eaton, non-playing, and Liam Barrett, playing, has a strong chance of moving into the five by the end of the day’s play.
Inaccuracy cost the Bulldogs as they racked up 6.13 in a 28-point loss to Sandhurst in the Pat Cronin Foundation Round match.
There’s a lot to like about the play of Golden Square youngsters Archie and Ollie Eaton, Noah Warfe and Jack McMahon.
An experienced core led by Jayden and Harrison Burke, Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch, Terry Reeves and ruckman Liam Hoy will play key roles for the blue and gold.
Strathfieldsaye Storm is back on its turf at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Broadford from 2.20pm.
The Jeff Andrews-coached Storm marked a crucial 69-62 win on Eaglehawk’s ground at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park last round.
It could be a big afternoon for Strathfieldsaye forwards James Schishcka, Zach Charles and Pat Blake.
Storm has also brought in Jed Brereton for his first senior game of the season after consecutive hit-outs with the reserves.
In-form players for Strathfieldsaye include Riley and Darcy Mulquiny, Tyson McKenzie, Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Cooper Jones and Zane Keighran.
A goal for the Nathan Thompson-coached Broadford will be to limit the tally of goals Strathfieldsaye scores when in control of the play.
Lowest score against Broadford is 151.
Key players for Broadford include Jaiden Magor, Adam Miles, Rhys Carman, Seb Morris, Louis Thompson and Isaac Smithwick.
Castlemaine has the bye.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 299 per cent, 16 points; South Bendigo 168, 16; Gisborne 154, 12; Strathfieldsaye 110, 12; Eaglehawk 101, 8; Castlemaine 100, 8; Golden Square 120, 4; Kangaroo Flat 58, 4; Broadford 17, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
15 Brock Harvey, SB.
12 Cobi Maxted, Sh; Pat McKenna, Gis.
11 Kaiden Antonowicz, SB; Nick Keogh, KF; Tyson McKenzie, S’saye; Alex Smith, SB.
10 Michael Hartley, Cm; Harry Luxmoore, Gis.
9 James Schischka, S’saye; Harrison Sheahan, Cm; Ben Thompson, Eh.
8 Archie Eaton, GS; Brody Haddow, SB; Archie Rixon, Cm.
7 Tom Campbell, Sh; Zac Denahy, Gis.; James Frawley, SB; Fergus Greene, Sh; Bailey Henderson, Cm; Jack Thompson, Eh.
6 Jacob Austin, Sh; Pat Blake, S’saye; Zach Charles, S’saye; Caleb Connick, Sh; Coen Harker, SB; Matt Merrett, Gis.; Oliver Morris, Sh; Jack Stewart, GS.
