FANS can expect plenty of fierce contests as Golden Square and Gisborne meet in Saturday’s 17th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season.

The battle of the league’s Bulldogs on Golden Square’s turf in Wade Street carries huge importance for both clubs.

A Golden Square victory would end Gisborne’s charge to the finals.

The Gardiner Reserve Bulldogs know a win would draw level with Square on 40 points ahead of the final round in which Gisborne is at home to South Bendigo, and Golden Square has to play at Kyneton.

With stakes so high, Golden Square regains several key players.

Jayden Burke, Brayden Dorrington, Brad Eaton, Hamish Morcom, Shaun Young and Bailey George are the ‘ins’.

The returns of Dorrington to defence, the versatile Eaton and Morcom, the classy Burke in attack, and the skilful Young are a huge plus for Square.

Gisborne coach Clinton Young is back from a calf injury, while Ethan Minns and Jarrad Lynch add to the team’s on-ball strength.

When these clubs met in round nine, Gisborne won by 29 points.

The play of Golden Square on-ballers Jack Geary, Adam Baird, Dale Lowry, Jake Thrum and ruckman Matt Compston will be a key, as will Dylan Johnstone, Burke and Tom Paterson in attack.

A talented Gisborne midfield is led by the likes of Matt Goodyear, Ross Celano, Thomas Wood, Shaun Comerford , Trent Crosbie and ruckman Jack Grabham.

Gisborne has shown it has a great spread of goalkickers with Jake Conolan, 31; Thomas Wood, 24; Jaidyn Owen, 22; and Jack Scanlon, 17; leading the way.

Kangaroo Flat takes on a red-hot Eaglehawk at Dower Park.

The Roos have shown a lot of positive signs in the past month.

Nick Lang in the ruck, Ross Turner, Corey Greer, Dylan Klemm, Liam Collins and Jonathan Lanyon will all need to play big games for the Roos to keep the heat on the Two Blues.

The Borough has shown it does not rely on three or four players to dominate.

The teamwork of coach Josh Bowe, Ben McPhee, Sam Harper, Sean Williams and Jack Fallon has played a big part in Eaglehawk’s success.

A no-fuss defence led by Glenn Daly, Tyler Miles and Brenton Conforti just keeps on keeping on.

Castlemaine faces a huge task trying to stop Kyneton from marking another 100-plus win at Camp Reserve.

Kalan Huntly, Braidon Blake and Darby Semmens have been among the most consistent for a young Magpies line-up all season.

Kyneton’s Ethan Foreman goes into this match on 49 goals and could be set for another big afternoon.

Harrison Huntley, Billy Mahony, Max O’Sullivan, Gareth Bowes, and ruckman Jordan Mangan are likely to figure in plenty of the Tigers attacks.

Maryborough is at home to Sandhurst at Barker’s Trailers Oval in Princes Park.

The Magpies have been competitive in a lot of matches this season.

Lachlan Bond, Luke Bucknall, Coby Perry, Jacob Long and Brady Neill have been in fine form for the Ben Lavars-coached Maryborough.

Sandhurst regains ex-Richmond player Daniel Connors from a hamsting injury to strengthen its attack.

Dragons’ coach Andy Collins leads the attack on 42 goals, while Zac East, Lee Coghlan and Nick Stagg will be roving many contests in the forward 50m arc.

A line-up that includes Blair Holmes, Zeb Broadbent, Matt Thornton and Taylor Strachan should earn the premiership points.

The ladder-leading Strathfieldsaye takes on South Bendigo under the QEO lights from 5.30pm.

The young Bloods have played some great football in recent weeks, with full-forward Kaiden Antonowicz in hot form.

Antonowicz has kicked 69 goals.

South Bendigo coach Brady Childs will be urging the team to bring the same level of intensity that upset Golden Square on the QEO just three weeks ago.

The pace of Joel Swatton, Mitch Rogerson, Nick Howe, Zack Hare and Will Keck will test Storm.

Greatest danger to South is stopping a powerful Storm attack.

Last season’s Michelsen medallist and Ron Best medallist Lachlan Sharp is back in Storm’s attack after an injury-riddled season.

Despite being limited to just eight games, Sharp has kicked 60 goals.

Sharp, Bryce Curnow and Hugh Robertson often finish off a lot of Storm’s attacking moves.

The run and creativity of Kallen Geary, Shannon Geary, Kellan Smith, Sam Heavyside, Tom Dowd and Josh Formosa is one of many strengths for the Troy Coates-coached Storm.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 56 points, 217 per cent; Eaglehawk 52, 181; Kyneton 42, 134; Sandhurst 40, 167; Golden Square 40, 152; Gisborne 36, 132; South Bendigo 30, 97; Kangaroo Flat 16, 54; Maryborough 4, 44; Castlemaine 4, 25.