by Nathan Dole

SANDHURST and Gisborne will aim to knock the other out of the premiership race when they meet in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s senior footy elimination final on Sunday.

The Dragons have beaten the Bulldogs in both matches in the home and away series and will start favourite on home turf at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Since a round 14 loss to Sandhurst at home, Gisborne has faced an elimination final each week.

The Clinton Young-coached Gisborne has played inspired football to win at Maryborough, beat Castlemaine at home, fight for a three-point win at Golden Square, and then defeat South Bendigo at home.

The Bulldogs completed the home and away series on an 11-7 record.

A young Gisborne line-up faces a daunting task against a team stacked with “big game” experience.

The Dragons scored an 81-47 win against the Bulldogs in the round five clash on the QEO, and triumphed 75-41 in the return meeting on Gisborne’s ground in the 14^th round.

On a ground where centre clearances and stoppages are crucial, Sandhurst may hold a significant edge through gun ruckman and dual Michelsen medallist Tim Martin.

The duel between Martin and Josh Grabham will be a highlight.

At ground level, Sandhurst has the likes of coach Andy Collins, Lee Coghlan, Zeb Broadbent, Zac East, Alex Wharton, Joel Wharton and Jed Zimmer to set up a lot of attacks.

The Dragons squad is bolstered by the return of captain Blair Holmes, Adam Parry and Pascale Craig.

A hard-working defence is led by Matt Thornton, Jake Wilkinson, Jake Pallpratt and Codie Price.

Collins leads Sandhurst’s goalkicking on 47 and the ex-Richmond and Carlton player will be a major threat to the Bulldogs wherever he is on the ground.

The Dragons will be without Daniel Connors because of a hamstring injury.

Limited to eight games, the ex-Richmond player has kicked 31 goals for Sandhurst.

Taylor Strachan, 23 goals; Broadbent, 17; Coghlan 16, ;and Nick Stagg, 14, are next best on the Dragons’ goalkicking list.

Gisborne’s run, pressure and never-give-up approach have been trademarks all season.

Injury has restricted Young to just eight games, but he has had impact in all.

A premiership-winning wingman with Hawthorn in 2008, Young knows a lot about what it takes to win a final.

A talented Gisborne line-up that includes Matt Goodyear, Jack Reaper, Shaun Comerford, Anthony Belcher and Heath Simpson is one to be reckoned with.

The Bulldogs also have the class of Ross Celano, Ethan Minns , Trent Crosbie and Eamon McKenna who could excel on the wide expanses of the QEO.

Plenty of players have contributed to Gisborne’s goalkicking.

Jake Conolan, 32 goals; Thomas Wood, 27; Jaidyn Owen, 23; and Jack Scanlon, 21, lead the way.

Finals action kicks off Saturday when Eaglehawk tackles Kyneton in the qualifying final.

This season’s record between the clubs stands at one-all.

Kyneton scored a 92-73 victory at Tigerland in round five.

Although the Tigers made a flying start to the 14^th round clash at Eaglehawk it was the Two Blues who clicked up a few gears to win 138-80 at Canterbury Park.

The Luke Beattie-coached Kyneton will be keen to prove it learnt a lot from that defeat.

The Hawks are bolstered by the return of coach Josh Bowe, Jesse Collins and Cam McGlashan for the qualifying final.

Kyneton regains classy on-baller Rhys Magin, Taylor Kelly and Tom O’Sullivan.

The midfield contests will play a big part in deciding the result.

Eaglehawk has the strength of Ben McPhee, Bowe, Brodie Collins, Riley McIvor and Sam Harper in and around the packs, and then the pacy Ged Hommelhoff, Jack Fallon and Joel Mullen on the outside.

They will be up against the likes of Billy Mahony, Josh Govan, Gareth Bowes, Max O’Sullivan, Leyton Chisholm, Fintan Brazil and Kevin Clark.

Oscar Madden has had a superb season in the ruck or key roles and faces another big challenge against Tigers’ in-form ruckman Jordan Mangan.

A no-frills Eaglehawk defence is led brilliantly by Tim Hill, Glenn Daly, Brenton Conforti and Tyler Miles.

They will need to play well as Kyneton has Ethan Foreman, 55 goals; Rhys Magin, 34; Jake Ward, 33; Max O’Sullivan, 33; and Nick Brazil, 17 goals, in fine form.

The strong-marking Dan Davie was among the Tigers best in last week’s win against Golden Square.

Although they are again without gun forward Matt Gretgrix, 26 goals in nine games, the Hawks have shown they have plenty of scoring power.

Sean Williams reached the 50-mark as he kicked his ninth goal in last Saturday’s win against Maryborough.

Hommelhoff, Shaun Knott, Riley Saunders, Harper, McPhee and Jesse Collins have capped many of the Borough’s moves with goals.

A Tigers defence led by Harrison Huntley, Patrick McCarthy, Hamish Govan and Jayden Exell has played well in the team’s run of 12 wins, five losses, and a draw.

Saturday’s qualifying finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street:

Seniors at 2.20pm: Eaglehawk v Kyneton.

Reserves at noon: South Bendigo v Kyneton.

Under-18s at 9.45am: Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst.

Sunday’s elimination finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street:

Seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

Reserves at noon: Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.

Under-18s at 9.45am: Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square.