WEEK 2 FINALS FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Gisborne under pressure from Bloods
BEATEN in both showdowns with South Bendigo this season, Gisborne faces a huge challenge in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy first semi-final on Sunday.
The Bulldogs and Bloods will fight to stay in the race for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup when they clash from 2.20pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo’s View Street.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne kicked off its finals campaign against Eaglehawk in last Saturday’s qualifying final.
A hard-fought contest went the the way of the Hawks, 65-56.
On Sunday it was a South Bendigo team coached by Troy Coates, non-playing, and Jack Fallon, playing, which won a dramatic elimination final against Strathfieldsaye by 10 points.
A new-look South Bendigo stunned Gisborne as it won the round two clash in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Gardiner Reserve by 27 points.
When they met again in round nine it was the Bloods who powered to a 115-73 victory on their turf at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
On-ball and midfield duels will again play a crucial role in whether it’s Gisborne or South Bendigo which keeps its season rolling.
Gisborne named Hugo Olive as ruckman to team up with Michelsen medallist Brad Bernacki, Patrick Trotta and James Gray.
Bloods’ ruckman Callum Crisp has had an outstanding season, along with ruck-rover Brody Haddow.
South Bendigo named Anthony Zimmerman as rover and Joel Swatton in the centre.
A talented Gisborne attack is led by Pat McKenna, 35 goals; , Harry Luxmoore 24, Dylan Johnstone 23, Brad Bernacki 21, and Matt Merrett 20.
Huge challenge for a South Bendigo defence which includes Andrew van Heumen, Isaiah Miller, Jack Fallon and Alex Davis.
The Bloods will be without James Davies as he starts a two-match ban after an early guilty plea to rough conduct in the elimination final.
Among the changes for South Bendigo is the return of brilliant small forward Kaiden Antonowicz who has not played since the round 16 win against Kangaroo Flat.
A previous winner of the Ron Best Medal as the competition’s leading goalkicker, Antonowics has kicked 37 goals in 14 matches.
This season’s Ron Best medallist, Brock Harvey has slotted 49 goals and will be a major threat to Gisborne along with Steven Stroobants who has kicked 48 goals.
Massive blow for Gisborne is key defender and captain Jack Reaper being out.
The Bulldogs will rely a lot on the defensive play of Zach Vescovi, Elijah Bretherton, Jed Denahy and Ryan Bourke.
The athleticism of Zaydn Lockwood from the Bendigo Pioneers in a key position role in attack or defence is another huge plus for South Bendigo.
The Bloods’ best in the elimination final included Josh Nitschke and Alex Davies.
On Saturday it will be Sandhurst against Eaglehawk in the second semi-final from 2.20pm.
The Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes-coached Hawks will have gained plenty of confidence from the hard-fought win against Gisborne in the qualifying final.
Massive test for the Two Blues as Sandhurst won both contests in the home-and-away series.
The Dragons won the Indigenous Round match at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park by 33 points.
When they met in round 14 on the QEO it was the Bryce Curnow and Lachlan Tardrew-coached Sandhurst which marked a 71-52 victory.
The Dragons achieved a 14-2 record across the home-and-away series as they pursue back-to-back premierships.
A powerful attack for Sandhurst is led by co-captain Fergus Greene, 38 goals; and Tom Campbell, 34.
Other dangers in the forward 50m arc include Cobi Maxted, Nick Stagg and Matt Wilkinson.
Hawks’ defenders Jonty Neaves, Jack Donat, Dylan Hanley and Charlie Langford were superb last Saturday and will need to be again.
Eaglehawk has the marking power of Jack O’Shannessy, 37 goals; Clayton Holmes, 22 goals; and Bailey Ilsley to test the Dragons.
A key will be quick movement against a Sandhurst defence led by Lachlan Wright, Liam Ireland and Bryce Curnow.
The Dragons named Sean O’Farrell at full-back.
In the ruck, Sandhurst has Hugh Schmetzer to take on Brayden Frost who returns after a one-match suspension.
The Dragons’ on-ball group is brilliantly led by Lachlan Tardrew, Lachie Hood and co-captain Cooper Smith.
They will be up against Joel Budarick, Hawks’ captain Billy Evans and Ben Thompson.
In the Drummond Golf reserves competition, Golden Square and Sandhurst will contest Saturday’s second semi-final from 12.15pm.
Although the Dragons finished below the Bulldogs on the ladder, Sandhurst has a two-one record against the blue and gold.
In round three, Sandhurst won 46-39 at Golden Square’s Wade Street ground.
The Bulldogs dominated the round 10 clash at the QEO to mark a 74-25 victory.
In round 15, Sandhurst won 59-46 in the kennel.
The Dragons fired up to win last Saturday’s qualifying final against South Bendigo by 13 points.
Golden Square’s team for the second semi includes co-captains Sheldon Burke and Dean Norris, Matt Compston, Seb Pellegrino, Tanner Rayner, Zac Tickell, Tommi Turner and Noah Warfe.
Players to watch for Sandhurst include Jack English, captain Patrick O’Farrell, James Vlaeminck, Charlie Robinson, Connor Sexton, Wil Pinniger, and Alex and Joel Wharton.
On Sunday it will be South Bendigo and Castlemaine fighting to stay in the premiership race.
The Bloods and Magpies will contest the first semi from 12.15pm.
South Bendigo beat Castlemaine by 40 and 30 points in rounds four and 11.
When they met in round 15 it was the Magpies who swooped to a 45-25 victory on their ground at Camp Reserve.
Castlemaine marked a long-awaited to finals action at open-age level by winning last Sunday’s elimination final against Eaglehawk by 17 points.
The Bloods are on the rebound from a 46-59 loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final.
South Bendigo’s squad to tackle the Pies includes Darcy Backway, Regan Harvey, Zavier Holmes, Max McMurray, Blake Poyser, Braydan Torpey and Bailey Waterman.
The Castlemaine line-up will look to Ben Jardine, Brad Keogh, Ben McConachy, Riley Pedretti, Declan Slingo, Rhys Smith, Campbell McLennan and Will Marks to lead the way.
In the SportsPower under-18s competition it will be Sandhurst against Golden Square in Saturday’s second semi-final from 10.15am.
The Dragons and Bulldogs have played in many memorable under-18s finals across many seasons.
In ’25 it’s been Sandhurst which has a three-nil record against the blue and gold.
The Dragons won 85-35 at Golden Square in round three and 53-45 in the 10th round on the QEO turf.
Most recent hit-out between the second semi-finalists was in the 15th round where Sandhurst won 62-40 at Golden Square.
The Dragons’ line-up is brilliantly led by Harvey White, Shannon Tardrew and Darby Whatley.
Players to watch in the maroon and blue include Lachlan Borchard, Oscar Cail, Charles Duke and Gus Hay.
Best for Golden Square in the qualifying final were Josh Cail, Xavier Cain, Byron Ritchie and Archie Eaton.
The Bulldogs’ squad includes Billy Buhagiar, Axel Drummond, Melvic Pambai and Mehtaab Sandhu.
On Sunday it will be South Bendigo against Strathfieldsaye in the first semi-final from 10.15am.
It was one-all in the home-and-away series.
The Bloods beat the Storm by 55 points in round one at Harry Trott Oval.
Strathfieldsaye surged to a 55-50 victory against South Bendigo in round eight at Triple M Park.
Key players for South Bendigo include Sonny Cluff, Louis Eddy, Luke Feuerherdt, Toby Hardingham, Jasper Irwin, Sam Power and Campbell Wood.
Storm’s best in a 64-37 win against Gisborne in the elimination final were Jack Molloy, Scout Hatcher, Archie Stevens and Ezekiel Cousins.
Co-captains Hugh Behrens and Jack Molloy, along with Phoenix Gordon, Tyce Griffin and Alex Wingrave will play key roles in Storm’s push to reach the preliminary final.
