Kangaroo Flat

Fight for top spot rages on

THE fight for top spot on the A-grade netball ladder rages on in Saturday’s 16^th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

Leading teams Kangaroo Flat, Gisborne and Sandhurst will start favourites to continue their winning streak.

The ladder-leading Kangaroo Flat heads down the Calder Highway to play at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve from 2.30pm.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have won 10 matches and start this round locked on 40 premiership points, but 15 per cent clear of second-placed Gisborne.

When the Roos and Magpies met in round seven it was Kangaroo Flat which scored an 86-33 victory at Dower Park.

The Kangaroos will be determined to put in another strong performance as they have the bye in the 17^th round and are then at home a week later to face Gisborne.

The Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine had the bye last round.

It’s fourth against second as Strathfieldsaye faces Gisborne at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.

Storm is on the rebound from a 37-goal loss to Kangaroo Flat.

Latest hit-out for Gisborne ended in a 54-goal victory against Eaglehawk.

Massive test for the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm against the reigning premier.

Strathfieldsaye will be keen to play well in the lead-up to an elimination final showdown with Eaglehawk on September 1.

Just 11 goals separated Storm and Gisborne in the round seven clash.

The run for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne in its build-up to another finals campaign involves the August 17 clash at home with Castlemaine, and August 24 showdown on Kangaroo Flat’s court.

Eaglehawk will be back on its court at Canterbury Park to take on Sandhurst.

When these teams met in round seven the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won 75-36 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It’s the start of a testing two rounds for Storm which plays Gisborne and then travels to the QEO on August 17 to play Sandhurst.

The clash with the Dragons will be Storm’s latest before finals as it has the bye in the 18^th round.

It’s a rest for Golden Square in A-grade, but the Bulldogs will play Maryborough in the other grades of netball at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

South Bendigo has the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 198 per cent, 40 points; Gisborne 183, 40; Sandhurst 175, 36; Strathfieldsaye 95, 24; Eaglehawk 74, 24; Golden Square 63, 12; South Bendigo 66, 8; Castlemaine 55 ,4

Kangaroos dominate clash on Castlemaine’s court

KANGAROO Flat almost marked a 100-goal victory on Castlemaine’s court in Saturday’s 16^th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The ladder-leading Kangaroos continued a strong build-up to another finals campaign as they poured in 115 goals at Camp Reserve.

Just as impressive was the defensive intensity of the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos to hold the Magpies to a tally of 17 goals.

Was another tough afternoon for the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine.

At Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park it was fifth against third as the Hawks took on Sandhurst.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks struggled to stop Sandhurst’s slick movement from mid-court to attack.

At the final whistle the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Dragons led 73-28.

Strathfieldsaye had home-court advantage at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane as it took on Gisborne.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne doubled Storm’s score in the opening term to lead 16-8 at quarter-time.

Term two was to be the Bulldogs’ best of the contest as they scored 19 goals and held Strathfieldsaye to a tally of five.

It was more of the same in the third as Gisborne led 52-17 at a quarter to play.

The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm lifted to achieved a match-high nine goals in the last, but Gisborne added 13 on the way to a 65-26 victory.

It was  a rest for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold played Maryborough in all other grades at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

South Bendigo had the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 218 per cent, 44 points; Gisborne 187, 44; Sandhurst 180, 40; Strathfieldsaye 88, 24; Eaglehawk 70, 24; Golden Square 63, 12; South Bendigo 66, 8; Castlemaine  49, 4.

In next Saturday’s 17^th round, Golden Square will fight to hold sixth place as it plays on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.

Sandhurst will be back at Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on Strathfieldsaye.

Gisborne plays Castlemaine on the Bulldogs’ court at Gardiner Reserve.

It’s a rest for Eaglehawk in A-grade, but the Hawks will head west to Maryborough’s Princes Park to play the Magpies in all other netball grades.

Kangaroo Flat has the bye.

Round 16 scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Strathfieldsaye 49 lt Gisborne 71, Eaglehawk 16 lt Sandhurst 70, Castlemaine 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 68, Golden Square 46 d Maryborough 34, South Bendigo bye.

B-grade:

Strathfieldsaye 34 lt Gisborne 58, Eaglehawk 41 lt Sandhurst 62, Castlemaine 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 47, Golden Square 60 d Maryborough 41, South Bendigo bye.

B-reserve:

Strathfieldsaye 45 lt Gisborne 46, Eaglehawk 31 lt Sandhurst 54, Castlemaine 25 lt Kangaroo Flat 54, Golden Square 56 d Maryborough 36, South Bendigo bye.

17-and-under:

Strathfieldsaye 50 d Gisborne 42, Eaglehawk 18 lt Sandhurst 68, Castlemaine 58 d Kangaroo Flat 26, Golden Square 55 d Maryborough 31, South Bendigo bye.

League ladders:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 217 per cent, 56 points; Kangaroo Flat 129, 42; Sandhurst 140, 40; Strathfieldsaye 126, 40; Maryborough 97, 34; South Bendigo 74, 16; Castlemaine 69, 12; Eaglehawk 63, 8; Golden Square 61, 8.

B-grade:

Gisborne 189 per cent, 52 points; Kangaroo Flat 145, 52; Sandhurst 161, 48; Strathfieldsaye 111, 36; South Bendigo 89, 22; Castlemaine 82, 20; Eaglehawk 77, 14; Golden Square 74, 12; Maryborough 43, 0.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 225 per cent, 56 points; Gisborne 179, 48; Strathfieldsaye 131, 40; Kangaroo Flat 129, 40; South Bendigo 118, 28; Eaglehawk 98, 20; Golden Square 67, 16; Castlemaine 55, 8; Maryborough 34, 0.

17-and-under:

Golden Square 161 per cent, 56 points; Sandhurst 232, 52; Maryborough 104, 40; Strathfieldsaye 109, 28; Castlemaine 104, 24; Gisborne 103, 24; South Bendigo 81, 20; Eaglehawk 48, 12; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0

Gisborne fights Kangaroos for top spot

GISBORNE will fight to hold top spot on the A-grade netball ladder when it meets Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s 18^th and final round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL home-and-away series.

It’s a big task for the ladder-leading Gisborne as it makes its way to the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park.

The match of the day will start at 2.30pm.

Sole defeat for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne in 13 matches was against Kangaroo Flat in the ninth round.

When the Bulldogs and Kangaroos met at Gardiner Reserve it was the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat which marked a 49-43 victory.

Latest hit-out for Gisborne was at home where it won 106-12 against Castlemaine.

Two defeats mean the Roos are in second place, but a chance to jump to the top rung.

By finishing in first place the Roos will earn a rest for qualifying and elimination final weekend on August 31 and September 1.

The only opponent Kangaroo Flat has not beaten this season was Sandhurst.

In both meetings it was the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Dragons which won 46-39 at Dower Park in round one, and 47-42 at Queen Elizabeth Oval in the 10^th round.

The Roos will have been freshened up by the bye last round.

Sandhurst will warm up for a qualifying final against Gisborne or Kangaroo Flat by taking on Castlemaine this Saturday at Camp Reserve.

An 11-2 record has last season’s runner-up in third place.

Sandhurst’s defeats were against Gisborne by margins of four and 11 goals in rounds two and 11.

The Dragons dominated last Saturday’s home game against Strathfieldsaye Storm at the QEO to win by 55 goals.

Eaglehawk will be back on its court at Canterbury Park to take on South Bendigo.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks will be aiming for a confidence-lifting win as they prepare to meet Strathfieldsaye in an elimination round.

The round nine match between the Hawks and Bloods went Eaglehawk’s way, 45-35, at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

A South Bendigo team coached by Alicia McGlashan will be determined to rebound from a 40-42 loss to Golden Square last round.

It’s a rest for the Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm will be home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to play Maryborough in all other grades.

Golden Square has the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Gisborne 210 per cent, 48 points; Kangaroo Flat 218, 44; Sandhurst 188, 44; Strathfieldsaye 81, 24; Eaglehawk 70, 24; Golden Square 65, 16; South Bendigo 68, 8; Castlemaine 45, 4

Gisborne outplays Flat on Kangaroos’ court

REIGNING premier Gisborne showed in Saturday’s 18^th round it’s going to be tough to topple in the upcoming Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball finals series.

A 53-31 victory on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Dower Park meant Gisborne finished the home-and-away series on top of the ladder and has a rest when the finals start next weekend.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was determined to take the points after a 43-49 loss to Kangaroo Flat in round nine at Gardiner Reserve.

This time it was the team in red, white and blue which controlled a lot of the play to inflict the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos third defeat of the season.

As Gisborne takes a break, Kangaroo Flat will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval next Saturday to face Sandhurst in a qualifying final.

Sandhurst warmed up for another finals campaign by dominating play at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

The Tamara Gilchrist also reached the century mark against the Magpies.

At the final siren the Dragons led 96-23 to complete what a tough afternoon for the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine.

At Eaglehawk the Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks won a closely-fought clash with South Bendigo.

Just five goals separated the teams at the final siren as the Two Blues held on for a 34-29 victory against the Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods.

It was a rest for Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm played Maryborough in all other netball grades at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.

The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm will play Eaglehawk in Sunday’s elimination final.

Golden Square had the bye and ends the season on a much-improved win-loss tally of 4-10 for the Teigan Redwood-coached team.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Gisborne 207 per cent, 52 points; Sandhurst 200, 48; Kangaroo Flat 199, 44; Eaglehawk 72, 28; Strathfieldsaye 81, 24; Golden Square 65, 16; South Bendigo 69, 8; Castlemaine 43, 4.

Round 18 scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 36 lt Gisborne 47, Eaglehawk 23 lt South Bendigo 42, Castlemaine 30 lt Sandhurst 63, Strathfieldsaye 56 d Maryborough 38, Golden Square bye.

B-grade:

Kangaroo Flat 40 d Gisborne 31, Eaglehawk 37 lt South Bendigo 46, Castlemaine 29 lt Sandhurst 44, Strathfieldsaye 62 d Maryborough 23, Golden Square bye.

B-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 25 lt Gisborne 58, Eaglehawk 31 lt South Bendigo 40, Castlemaine 36 lt Sandhurst 72, Strathfieldsaye 107 d Maryborough 20, Golden Square bye.

17-and-under:

Kangaroo Flat 30 lt Gisborne 70, Eaglehawk 27 lt South Bendigo 32, Castlemaine 38 lt Sandhurst 62, Strathfieldsaye 45 d Maryborough 44, Golden Square bye.

Schedule for Saturday’s qualifying finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Maryborough.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.

A-reserve at 1pm: Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst.

A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.

Schedule for Sunday’s elimination finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

17-and-under at 10am: Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Strathfieldsaye v South Bendigo.

A-reserve at 1pm: Kangaroo Flat v Maryborough.

A-grade at 3.20pm: Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye.

League ladders:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 217 per cent, 64 points; Strathfieldsaye 125, 48; Sandhurst 138, 44; Kangaroo Flat 125, 42; Maryborough 97, 38; South Bendigo 79, 24; Castlemaine 64, 12; Eaglehawk 64, 8; Golden Square 63, 8.

B-grade:

Gisborne 188 per cent, 56 points; Sandhurst 161, 56; Kangaroo Flat 144, 56; Strathfieldsaye 111, 40; South Bendigo 93, 30; Castlemaine 75, 20; Eaglehawk 82, 18; Golden Square 74, 12; Maryborough 43, 0.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 216 per cent, 64 points; Gisborne 185, 56; Strathfieldsaye 140, 44; Kangaroo Flat 121, 40; South Bendigo 120, 36; Eaglehawk 103, 24; Golden Square 67, 16; Castlemaine 54, 8; Maryborough 32, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 219 per cent, 60 points; Golden Square 168, 60; Maryborough 106, 44; Strathfieldsaye 105, 32; Gisborne 108, 30; Castlemaine 100, 26; South Bendigo 77, 24; Eaglehawk 50, 12; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.

Kangaroos stun South Bendigo at Dower Park

KANGAROO Flat scored a stunning 27-point victory against South Bendigo in Saturday’s third round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season.

The Kangaroos turned a two-goal deficit at quarter-time into 27-point triumph on their ground at Dower Park in Anzac round.

It was a brilliant start by the Bloods as they scored eight straight goals in the first term.

From there it was the Michael Ellings-coached Roos who won the next three quarters – 20-13, 27-7, and 38-26.

Justin Bateson led the winners’ attack on five goals as Harry Whitty added four.

The in-form Brock Harvey kicked eight goals for the Bloods.

Kangaroo Flat’s best were Jake Hywood, Luke Ellings, Justin Bateson, Ethan Roberts, Lachlan Dalziel and Xav Dingfelder-Hope.

Best for the Bloods were Brock Harvey, Aidan Avery, Brody Haddow, Cody Brooks, Zac Hare and Isaiah Miller.

Strathfieldsaye turned a five-point deficit at the start of the final term into a nine-point lead by the end of its clash with Eaglehawk at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

The Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk led 41-35 at half-time and 49-44 by the last change.

In the final quarter it was Storm which scored 4.3 to 2.1 to complete a 71-62 victory.

James Schischka and Abe Sheahan kicked three goals each for Storm.

Bailey Ilsley, Joel Mullen, Jonty Neaves and Darcy Richards all kicked two goals for the Hawks.

Strathfieldsaye’s best were Cooper Jones, Malik Gordon, Lachlan Gill, Riley Wilson, Shannon Geary and Patrick Blandford.

Billy Evans, Bailey Ilsley, Joel Mullen, Clayton Holmes, Brayden Frost and Ben Thompson were the Borough’s best.

Golden Square outplayed and outran Castlemaine in the final term on the Magpies’ turf at Camp Reserve.

Defences were well on top across the opening three quarters as Castlemaine led 39-34 at the final change.

In the last it was the Brad Eaton-coached Bulldogs who slammed on 7.2 and held the Pies to a tally of 4.3.

A 78-66 victory was Golden Square’s first of the season.

Co-captain Jayden Burke, Jordan Rosengren and Jack Stewart led the Bulldogs attack on three goals apiece.

Multiple goalkickers for Castlemaine were Jack Chester, coach Michael Hartley, Bailey Henderson and Tyson Hickey.

Golden Square’s best were Tom Strauch, Kai Daniels, Macey Eaton, Dylan Hird, Jack Stewart and Harrison Burke.

Lloyd Butcher, Tyson Hickey, Jack Sutherland, Jack Chester, Kalan Huntly and Brodie Byrne were Castlemaine’s best.

Gisborne racked up 63 scoring shots in a big win at home at Gardiner Reserve against Maryborough.

The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs scored 9.6 to a goal in the opening term.

By half-time Gisborne had almost hit the 150-point mark as it led 23.9 (147) to 1.3 (9).

On-ballers Brad Bernacki and Flynn Lakey racked up plenty of disposals and gun ruckman Braidon Blake was in hot form.

The classy Pat McKenna kicked a match-high eight goals as Harry Luxmoore, seven; Sam Graham, five; Zac Denahy and Harry Thomas, four, capitalised on the Dogs’ dominance.

Co-coach Matt Johnston and Fraser Russell goaled for Maryborough.

Best for Gisborne included Harry Luxmoore, Zac Denahy and Pat McKenna.

Maryborough’s best were Tom Myers, Kya Lanfranchi, Alex Brown, Mitchell McClure, co-coach Coby Perry and Josh Britten.

Sandhurst had the bye.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 136 per cent, 12 points; Sandhurst 253, 8; Kangaroo Flat 82, 8; Gisborne 335, 4; Eaglehawk 107, 4; Castlemaine 105, 4; South Bendigo 95, 4; Golden Square 84, 4; Maryborough 28, 0.

In next Saturday’s fourth round, Eaglehawk and Castlemaine meet in the Pat Cronin Foundation Round feature match at Canterbury Park.

South Bendigo takes on Gisborne at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Golden Square faces Kangaroo Flat on the Bulldogs’ turf in Wade Street.

Maryborough is home at Princes Park to tackle Sandhurst.

Strathfieldsaye has the bye.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

19 - (8) - Brock Harvey - South Bendigo 
14 - (2) - Michael Hartley - Castlemaine 
13 - (8) - Pat McKenna - Gisborne 
8 - (2) - Steven Stroobants - South Bendigo 
8 - (3) - James Schischka - Strathfieldsaye 
8 - (2) - Bailey Henderson - Castlemaine 
8 - (5) - Justin Bateson - Kangaroo Flat 
8 - (7) - Harry Luxmoore - Gisborne 
7 - (3) - Jayden Burke - Golden Square 
7 - (4) - Harry Whitty - Kangaroo Flat 
7 - (0) - Fergus Greene - Sandhurst 
7 - (0) - Joel Wharton - Sandhurst 
6 - (3) - Abe Sheahan - Strathfieldsaye 
5 - (2) - Malik Gordon - Strathfieldsaye 
5 - (0) - Zachary Greeves - Castlemaine 
5 - (3) - Jordan Rosengren - Golden Square 
5 - (1) - Fraser Russell - Maryborough 
5 - (3) - Jack Stewart - Golden Square 
5 - (0) - Lachlan Tardrew - Sandhurst 
5 - (4) - Zac Denahy - Gisborne 
5 - (5) - Sam Graham - Gisborne 

McGlashan leads Bloods on Roos’ court

A PREMIERSHIP star with Kangaroo Flat, Alicia McGlashan returns to Dower Park as playing coach of South Bendigo for Saturday’s third round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

One of the league’s best across many seasons, McGlashan has stepped up from being star player to be the on-court coach for Bloods.

A one-one record has the Bloods in sixth place on the A-grade ladder.

McGlashan’s coaching debut began with a hard-fought win against Strathfieldsaye on Storm’s court at Triple M Park.

In round two it was Castlemaine which beat South Bendigo, 41-27 in the Bloods’ home at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Defeated by seven goals in the round one clash with Sandhurst, Kangaroo Flat had a rest last Saturday because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team.

A skilful Kangaroos’ line-up coached by Jayden Cowling will start favourite to take the points against the Bloods.

Among the players to watch for the Roos will be goaler Chloe Langley who crossed from South Bendigo.

Mid-court duels will be crucial and it’s where Flat may hold an edge through the play of Chelsea Sartori, Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks.

Key players for the Bloods include Ella Flavell, Steph Goode, Chloe Gray, and goaler Olivia Mason.

The ladder-leading Strathfieldsaye is at home in Tannery Lane to take on Eaglehawk.

Storm teamed superbly on Golden Square’s court last Saturday to record a 56-36 victory.

The Steph Freemantle-coached Storm will be aiming to bring a high level of defensive intensity and slick teamwork to a showdown with the Two Blues.

Best in Strathfieldsaye’s win at Golden Square were Brooke Mangan and goaler Claire Gibbs.

An Eaglehawk team coached by Kylie Piercy started the season with an 11-goal win against Golden Square on the Borough’s court in Canterbury Park.

Eaglehawk had the bye last round.

The Hawks’ squad includes Tiarni Baxter, Morgan Keating, Elley Lawton and Rani Madden.

The Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine will chase consecutive wins when it hosts Golden Square at Camp Reserve.

After a delayed start to the ’24 campaign as it was drawn to play Maryborough in the stand-alone match on Good Friday, Castlemaine played well to beat the Bloods in round two.

Although it’s winless the Chris O’Sullivan-coached Golden Square has put in some strong quarters against Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye.

Reigning premier Gisborne has a rest this round because Maryborough is not fielding an A-grade team.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs scored a 42-38 victory against Sandhurst on the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval last Saturday.

All other grades of netball between Gisborne and Maryborough will be played at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

Sandhurst has the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Castlemaine 151 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 133, 4; Strathfieldsaye 125, 4; Gisborne 110, 4; Sandhurst 103, 4; South Bendigo 84, 4; Kangaroo Flat 84, 0; Golden Square 69, 0.

A BIG match will be played on Kangaroo Flat’s netball court at Dower Park in Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

Kangaroo Flat takes on Gisborne as the league marks Pat Cronin Foundation Round.

The Roos and the Bulldogs feature in the game of the round as more than 1800 players across the league wear yellow armbands, colour of the Melbourne-based anti-violence charity.

The day also recognises and promotes the vital work the Pat Cronin Foundation has done and will do to highlight the dangers of the coward punch.

For the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat it’s a massive test after big wins against South Bendigo and Maryborough.

The Roos were beaten in the rematch of the ’22 grand final when Sandhurst again triumphed, 47-37 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Gisborne has made an impressive start to the season.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat Strathfieldsaye at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round one and won a closely-fought contest at Castlemaine a week later.

The team in red, white and blue goes into this match after a 23-goal win at home against Eaglehawk last Saturday.

Last time the Roos played Gisborne was in the ’22 preliminary final.

Kangaroo Flat won 52-49 to progress to the season decider.

Strathfieldsaye is at home at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to take on Sandhurst.

Another massive test for the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm which has improved in many areas, but just not been able to put four quarters together.

Storm has a 1-2 record, but has faced two of last year’s finalists in Gisborne and Castlemaine in away games.

A red-hot Sandhurst passed the century mark in last Saturday’s showdown with Golden Square on Ron Best Memorial Shield day.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst looks to have too much attacking flair for Storm to stop.

Kyneton and Maryborough meet in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers will be determined to mark their second win and keep the heat on those in fourth and fifth place.

After a slow start against South Bendigo, Kyneton did lift but the Bloods’ eight-goal buffer it gained in the first term proved too much.

At the final whistle the Tigers were down 44-48 at South Bendigo’s new home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

Key players for Kyneton include Bec Ingleton, Brooke and Rachelle Mangan, Michelle Fletcher and Tilly Shepherd.

The Jordan Macilwain-coached Maryborough has a 1-2 record and will be keen to show it learnt plenty from last week’s hit-out against the powerful Kangaroo Flat team.

Golden Square is at home to face South Bendigo at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

The Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square will have worked a lot on defensive skills and strategy in the lead-up to this match.

South Bendigo has a 2-1 record and will be determined to build on last week’s hard-fought win against Kyneton.

A talented Bloods’ line-up coached by Jannelle Hobbs includes the classy Chloe Gray in mid-court, Steph Goode and Alicia McGlashan.

Eaglehawk is up against Castlemaine at Canterbury Park.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks have played South Bendigo, Maryborough and Gisborne so far.

A big test for the Two Blues against a Castlemaine team which Caitlin Richardson and Jane O’Donohue in top form.

Magpies’ coaches Gary Cooke and Fiona Fowler will not want a drop in standards leading into the round five match against Kangaroo Flat at Camp Reserve.

Standings after three rounds in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 204 per cent, 12 points; Gisborne 165, 12; Kangaroo Flat 150, 8; South Bendigo 124, 8; Castlemaine 116, 8; Kyneton 113, 4; Strathfieldsaye 105, 4; Maryborough 76, 4; Eaglehawk 55, 0; Golden Square 31, 0.

KANGAROO Flat overcame a half-time deficit of three goals to beat Gisborne in Saturday’s fourth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs have played out many great matches in recent years and Saturday’s clash on the Roos’ court at Dower Park did not disappoint.

The Roos led 12-10 at quarter-time, but the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne lifted in the second to win it 12-7 and hold a three-goal buffer by the main break.

Kangaroo Flat fought back strongly to 33-32 at a quarter to go.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos held their nerve and with precise passes through the mid-court were able to  win the final term, 11-10, and claim the premiership points in a 44-42 victory.

South Bendigo dominated its showdown with Golden Square at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods made it a 3-1 record after an 81-28 victory.

After a closely-fought opening three quarters, Castlemaine surged clear in the last for a 50-37 win at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

Scores were locked on 11-all at quarter-time as the Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine was under pressure from the Two Blues.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks worked hard to be within four goals at half-time and within two going into the last.

Castlemaine capitalised on turnovers and more entries to its attacking third to score 18 goals and held the Two Blues to just seven to complete a 13-goal win.

A tally of 17 goals in the first quarter gave Kyneton an eight-goal buffer in the clash with Maryborough at Kyneton Showgrounds.

It was high-scoring match between the Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers and the Jordan Macilwain-coached Magpies.

Kyneton led 32-19 at half-time, but the Pies did well in a 12-15 run in the third.

The yellow and black finished strongly to complete a 64-47 victory.

Sandhurst’s unbeaten streak kept rolling as the maroon and blue marked a 30-goal win at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 13-6 at quarter-time and then dominated the second to lead 25-9 by the main break.

The Dragons won the third, 14-6, and the last, 14-8, for a 53-23 result against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:

Sandhurst 205 per cent, 16 points; South Bendigo 156, 12; Gisborne 141, 12; Kangaroo Flat 136, 12; Castlemaine 121, 12; Kyneton 122, 8; Strathfieldsaye 87, 4; Maryborough 73, 4; Eaglehawk 59, 0; Golden Square 32, 0.

Highlight of Saturday’s fifth round will be South Bendigo against Sandhurst on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day in the Bloods’ new home at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.

Another big match will be at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve where the Magpies face Kangaroo Flat in the showdown between fourth and fifth.

Maryborough is home at Princes Park to play Golden Square.

Strathfieldsaye is back at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to host Eaglehawk.

Gisborne and Kyneton fight for premiership points at Gardiner Reserve.

Round four scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 38 lt Gisborne 51, Golden Square 30 lt South Bendigo 51, Eaglehawk 52 d Castlemaine 48, Strathfieldsaye 26 lt Sandhurst 59, Kyneton bye.

B-grade:

Kangaroo Flat 47 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 33 lt South Bendigo 34, Eaglehawk 45 d Castlemaine 43, Kyneton 44 d Maryborough 29, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 53.

B-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 59 d Gisborne 42, Golden Square 21 lt South Bendigo 25, Eaglehawk 48 d Castlemaine 24, Kyneton 41 d Maryborough 33, Strathfieldsaye 30 lt Sandhurst 36.

17-and-under:

Kangaroo Flat 36 lt Gisborne 50, Golden Square 67 d  South Bendigo 15, Kyneton 14 lt Maryborough 58, Eaglehawk 30 lt Castlemaine 37, Strathfieldsaye 38 lt Sandhurst 58.

Bendigo FNL ladders after four rounds of netball:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 211 per cent, 16 points; Sandhurst 203, 16; South Bendigo 138, 16; Castlemaine 84, 8; Kyneton 74, 8; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Kangaroo Flat 75, 4; Strathfieldsaye 67, 4; Golden Square 64, 0.

B-grade:

Sandhurst 192 per cent, 16 points; Gisborne 155, 12; Kangaroo Flat 116, 12; South Bendigo 109, 12; Strathfieldsaye 94, 8; Eaglehawk 81, 8; Kyneton 82, 4; Golden Square 79, 4; Castlemaine 74, 2; Maryborough 62, 2.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 224 per cent, 16 points; Kangaroo Flat 166, 12; Gisborne 129, 12; Eaglehawk 123, 12; Strathfieldsaye 145, 8; South Bendigo 128, 8; Golden Square 59.6, 4; Castlemaine 59.1, 4; Kyneton 45, 4; Maryborough 42, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 187 per cent, 16 points; Maryborough 179, 16; Gisborne 174, 16; Golden Square 204, 12; Kangaroo Flat 100, 4; Castlemaine 78, 4; Strathfieldsaye 77, 4; Eaglehawk 71, 4; South Bendigo 57, 4; Kyneton 23, 0.

CASTLEMAINE outpointed Kangaroo Flat across the final three quarters to mark a 16-goal victory in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball match on Saturday.

A full-strength Castlemaine was down by three goals at quarter-time after the Kangaroos made a strong start on the Magpies’ court at Camp Reserve.

After the first break it was the Magpies who lifted their defensive intensity and run through the mid-court.

Castlemaine went from 8-11 at the first break to hold a 24-20 lead by half-time.

A high-scoring third term also went in the Magpies’ favour, 14-10.

In the last it was the team in black and white which kept peppering the attacking third.

The Magpies scored 17 goals and held the Flat to just nine in the final quarter to seal a 55-39 victory.

Castlemaine co-coach Fiona Fowler teamed with Shaid Sasalu to shut down many of the Kangaroos’ attacking moves.

A Magpies’ line-up jointly coached by Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke surged clear to claim a 55-39 victory against last season’s runner-up.

Castlemaine moved to the second rung of the ladder going into next weekend’s general bye as the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos slipped to fifth place.

In other A-grade matches, South Bendigo met Sandhurst on Graeme Wright Memorial Cup day at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst made a brilliant start to lead 17-5 at quarter-time.

Although the Bloods tried they could not match the hot Dragons in terms of pressure and ability to force or capitalise on turnovers.

Sandhurst led 34-9 at half-time and won the next two terms, 14-4 and 14-9, against the Jannelle Hobbs-coached Bloods.

At the final whistle the Dragons led 62-22.

Gisborne won every quarter on its way to a 54-26 win against Kyneton at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne led 17-6 at quarter-time and 28-15 by the main break.

It was a tough afternoon for the Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Tigers as Gisborne won this contest by 28 goals.

Closest result of the afternoon was at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane where the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm faced Eaglehawk.

Strathfieldsaye led 11-8 at quarter-time and won the second term, 11-8.

In the crucial third quarter, Storm added 15 goals and kept the Hawks to a tally of 10.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks matched Storm’s tally of nine goals in the final term as Strathfieldsaye marked a 46-35 victory.

It was a high-scoring contest at Maryborough’s Princes Park where the Magpies took on Golden Square.

The Jordan Macilwain-coached Maryborough led 18-15 at quarter-time and 35-29 by the long break.

The Magpies scored 18 goals in the third and 20 in the last to the 73-goal mark.

A return of 53 goals by the Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square was well above its best this season.

Previous scores for the blue and gold had been 23, 29, 21, and 28.

Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball ladder:

Sandhurst 217 per cent, 20 points; Gisborne 152, 16; Castlemaine 125, 16; South Bendigo 119, 12; Kangaroo Flat 118, 12; Kyneton 104, 8; Strathfieldsaye 94, 8; Maryborough 85, 8; Eaglehawk 62, 0; Golden Square 40, 0.

The Bendigo FNL has a general bye on May 20.

The season resumes on May 27.

Golden Square is at home at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street to face Gisborne in the round six contest.

South Bendigo versus Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street, Kennington.

Kangaroo Flat plays Eaglehawk on the Roos’ court at Dower Park.

Kyneton faces Castlemaine at Kyneton Showgrounds.

Sandhurst takes on Maryborough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Round five scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Castlemaine 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 40, South Bendigo 26 lt Sandhurst 45, Gisborne 82 d Kyneton 22, Strathfieldsaye 51 d Eaglehawk 33, Golden Square bye.

B-grade:

Castlemaine 20 lt Kangaroo Flat 64, South Bendigo 32 lt Sandhurst 46, Gisborne 71 d Kyneton 37, Strathfieldsaye 33 d Eaglehawk 21, Maryborough 22 lt Golden Square 52.

B-reserve:

Castlemaine 20 lt Kangaroo Flat 61, South Bendigo 29 lt Sandhurst 62, Gisborne 63 d Kyneton 18, Maryborough 32 lt Golden Square 43, Strathfieldsaye 33 dr Eaglehawk 33.

17-and-under:

Castlemaine 35 dr Kangaroo Flat 35, South Bendigo 18 lt Sandhurst 63, Gisborne 92 d Kyneton 9, Strathfieldsaye 42 d Eaglehawk 33, Maryborough 37 lt Golden Square 50.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL netball competitions after five rounds:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 238 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 198, 20; South Bendigo 117, 16; Castlemaine 86, 8; Kangaroo Flat 81, 8; Strathfieldsaye 79, 8; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Kyneton 57, 8; Golden Square 64, 4.

B-grade:

Sandhurst 181 per cent, 20 points; Gisborne 163, 16; Kangaroo Flat 139, 16; Strathfieldsaye 101, 12; South Bendigo 100, 12; Golden Square 97, 8; Eaglehawk 78, 8; Kyneton 74, 4; Castlemaine 63, 2; Maryborough 57, 2.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 221 per cent, 20 points; Kangaroo Flat 185, 16; Gisborne 153, 16; Eaglehawk 119, 14; Strathfieldsaye 134, 10; South Bendigo 101, 8; Golden Square 72, 8; Castlemaine 52, 4; Kyneton 41, 4; Maryborough 48, 0.

17-and-under:

Gisborne 230 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 207, 20; Golden Square 188, 16; Maryborough 145, 16; Strathfieldsaye 84, 8; Kangaroo Flat 100, 6; Castlemaine 82, 6; Eaglehawk 72, 4; South Bendigo 50, 4; Kyneton 19, 0.

Kangaroos dominate on Storm’s court

KANGAROO Flat won every quarter on its way to a 28-goal victory against Strathfieldsaye Storm in Saturday’s start to the split sixth round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball action.

The Kangaroos charged to a 16-9 lead by quarter-time of the match on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

By half-time the Jayden Cowling-coached Roos led 32-19.

A Storm line-up coached by Steph Freemantle kept working hard, but the Roos were superb in all thirds of the court.

Kangaroo Flat won the third quarter, 13-6, and the last, 14-6.

At the final whistle the Roos led 59-31.

In the other A-grade match played on Saturday, Gisborne scored a 28-goal win at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne marked a 53-25 result against the Kylie Piercy-coached Two Blues.

South Bendigo had a rest in A-grade, but the Bloods played Maryborough in all other grades of netball at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Castlemaine had the bye.

Round six will be completed next Saturday when Golden Square faces Sandhurst at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

Plenty at stake across all grades of netball as the clubs mark the Ron Best Memorial Shield day to honour the legendary goalkicker of the 1970s and 80s.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 210 per cent, 16 points; Gisborne 163, 16; Strathfieldsaye 112, 12; Sandhurst 155, 8; Eaglehawk 72, 8; Castlemaine 78, 4; Golden Square 61, 4; South Bendigo 54, 4.

Split sixth round, week one scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Eaglehawk 24 lt Gisborne 76,

Strathfieldsaye 63 d Kangaroo Flat 38,

South Bendigo 49 lt Maryborough 50,

Castlemaine bye.

B-grade:

Eaglehawk 31 lt Gisborne 64,

Strathfieldsaye 43 lt Kangaroo Flat 44,

South Bendigo 66 d Maryborough 28,

Castlemaine bye.

B-reserve:

Eaglehawk 34 lt Gisborne 49,

Strathfieldsaye 54 d Kangaroo Flat 32,

South Bendigo 72 d Maryborough 25,

Castlemaine bye.

17-and-under:

Eaglehawk 31 lt Gisborne 58,

Strathfieldsaye 64 d Kangaroo Flat 22,

South Bendigo 26 lt Maryborough 41,

Castlemaine bye.

League ladders:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 217 per cent, 20 points; Strathfieldsaye 154, 20; Kangaroo Flat 106, 14; Maryborough 100, 14; Sandhurst 107, 8; Castlemaine 90, 8; South Bendigo 72, 4; Eaglehawk 67, 4; Golden Square 63, 0.

B-grade:

Gisborne 216 per cent, 20 points; Kangaroo Flat 133, 20; Strathfieldsaye 133, 16; Sandhurst 146, 12; South Bendigo 87, 8; Castlemaine 83, 8; Eaglehawk 81, 8; Golden Square 65, 0; Maryborough 39, 0.

B-reserve:

Strathfieldsaye 145 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 213, 16; Gisborne 192, 16; Kangaroo Flat 132, 12; South Bendigo 114, 12; Eaglehawk 114, 8; Golden Square 67, 4; Castlemaine 59, 4; Maryborough 29, 0.

17-and-under:

Golden Square 201 per cent, 20 points; Sandhurst 240, 16; Maryborough 103, 16; Strathfieldsaye 138, 12; Castlemaine 97, 8; South Bendigo 93, 8; Gisborne 90, 8; Eaglehawk 47, 4; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.

Round seven will be played on June 1.

Gisborne plays Strathfieldsaye at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

Sandhurst and Eaglehawk clash at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Kangaroo Flat will be home at Dower Park to play Castlemaine.

It’s a rest for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold will be bound for Maryborough’s Princes Park to play the Magpies in the lower grades of netball.

South Bendigo has the bye.

Roos meet Magpies in Indigenous Round match

IT’S the Kangaroos against the Magpies as Kangaroo Flat faces Castlemaine in the A-grade netball match in this Saturday’s Indigenous Round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The ladder-leading Kangaroos will start favourite on their court at Dower Park as the league marks the seventh round.

Since a seven-goal loss to Sandhurst in round one and then a bye, Kangaroo Flat is on a four-game winning streak.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat has shown it has plenty of scoring power but is also strong defensively.

Highest score against the Roos was 46 by Sandhurst in the season opener at Dower Park.

The Roos defeated South Bendigo, 60-27, and then won 90-35 on Golden Square’s court at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

Arguably the most impressive performance was the 76-15 result at home against Eaglehawk in the fifth round.

On day one of the split sixth round, Kangaroo Flat won 59-31 against Strathfieldsaye at Triple M Park.

The rampaging Roos take on an opponent determined to regain confidence.

Castlemaine made a great start when it won 41-27 on South Bendigo’s court at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval in round two.

The Chloe Hughes-coached Magpies have since endured home-court losses to Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye.

The Pies were also defeated in the Pat Cronin Foundation feature round match at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

Huge challenge for Castlemaine, especially in mid-court against a confident and skilful Kangaroos’ trio.

It’s second against fourth as Gisborne is home at Gardiner Reserve to take on Strathfieldsaye.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne is unbeaten as it chases back-to-back premierships.

A great run for the red, white and blue began with a 42-38 victory against Sandhurst in the ’23 grand final rematch at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

After a rest for A-grade in round three as the club was drawn to play Maryborough, Gisborne has beaten South Bendigo, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.

The Bulldogs achieved scores of 61, 58 and 53 goals in wins by 24, 27 and 28 goals.

Strathfieldsaye Storm rolls into Gisborne following a tough round six clash with Kangaroo Flat.

Another big test for the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm which bounced back from a two-goal loss to South Bendigo at Triple M Park to win its next three matches.

The Sandhurst and Eaglehawk rivalry always generates a hard-fought match.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst will start favourite to take the points against the Borough at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It’s been a disjointed season for Sandhurst which after being defeated by Gisborne had a two-week break because of a bye and then drawn to play at Maryborough the following round.

Latest hit-out for the maroon and blue ended in a 72-26 result at Golden Square on Ron Best Memorial Shield day.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk completes a tough three-match streak which began at Kangaroo Flat and was followed by a home game against Gisborne and now faces last season’s runner-up.

It’s a rest for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold will trek across to Maryborough to play in the lower grades on the Princes Park courts.

South Bendigo has the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 210 per cent, 16 points; Gisborne 163, 16; Sandhurst 181, 12; Strathfieldsaye 112, 12; Eaglehawk 72, 8; Castlemaine 78, 4; Golden Square 56, 4; South Bendigo 54, 4.

Kangaroos claim Wirama Shield against Magpies

KANGAROO Flat outplayed Castlemaine in the A-grade netball match to claim the Wirama Shield as the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL marked Indigenous Round on Saturday.

The Roos and Magpies contested the round’s feature match on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Dower Park.

An 86-33 victory was a fifth win of the season for the ladder-leading Kangaroos who are coached by Jayden Cowling.

It’s been a tough run for the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine which has not won since the second round against South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Reigning premier Gisborne won a hard-fought match on its court at Gardiner Reserve against Strathfieldsaye Storm.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne led 11-10 at quarter-time and 21-17 by the long break.

In the third the team in red, white and blue took control as it scored 11 goals and kept Storm to a tally of six.

Gisborne went on to claim a 40-29 victory against the Steph Freemantle-coached Storm.

A red-hot Sandhurst starred in the cool conditions at Queen Elizabeth Oval against Eaglehawk.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst raced to a 19-8 lead by quarter-time.

Term two was the Dragons most dominant of the match as they poured in 23 goals and held the Two Blues to a score of eight.

By the long break the maroon and blue led 42-24.

The Dragons led 58-24 going into the final term.

An Eaglehawk team coached by Kylie Piercy scored a match-high 12 goals in the last as Sandhurst netted a 75-36 victory.

It was a bye for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold did play Maryborough on the Princes Park courts in the lower grades.

South Bendigo had a bye.

Standings in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 219 per cent, 20 points; Gisborne 158 20; Sandhurst 187, 16; Strathfieldsaye 105, 12; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Castlemaine 66, 4; Golden Square 56, 4; South Bendigo 54, 4.

A highlight of King’s Birthday holiday weekend will be Saturday’s round eight match between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.

Castlemaine will be on its court at Camp Reserve against Gisborne.

Golden Square takes on South Bendigo at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

It’s a rest for the A-grade team from Eaglehawk, but the Borough’s teams will be on their courts at Canterbury Park to play Maryborough in the lower grades.

Kangaroo Flat has the bye.

Round seven scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 67 d Castlemaine 27, Gisborne 53 d Strathfieldsaye 38, Sandhurst 57 d Eaglehawk 36, Maryborough 45 d Golden Square 33, South Bendigo bye.

B-grade:

Kangaroo Flat 60 d Castlemaine 17, Gisborne 63 d Strathfieldsaye 38, Sandhurst 57 d Eaglehawk 27, Maryborough 34 lt Golden Square 49, South Bendigo bye.

B-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 56 d Castlemaine 38, Gisborne 55 d Strathfieldsaye 34, Sandhurst 68 d Eaglehawk 31, Maryborough 33 lt Golden Square 44, South Bendigo bye.

17-and-under:

Kangaroo Flat 25 lt Castlemaine 57, Gisborne 47 d Strathfieldsaye 31, Sandhurst 68 d Eaglehawk 17, Maryborough 35 lt Golden Square 44, South Bendigo bye.

League ladders

A-reserve:

Gisborne 201 per cent, 24 points; Strathfieldsaye 136, 20; Kangaroo Flat 119, 18; Maryborough 105, 18; Sandhurst 130, 16; Castlemaine 79, 8; South Bendigo 72, 4; Eaglehawk 66, 4; Golden Square 60, 0.

B-grade:

Gisborne 205 per cent, 24 points; Kangaroo Flat 149, 24; Sandhurst 174, 20; Strathfieldsaye 115, 16; South Bendigo 87, 8; Eaglehawk 74, 8; Castlemaine 70, 8; Golden Square 66, 4; Maryborough 43, 0.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 230 per cent, 24 points; Gisborne 186, 20; Strathfieldsaye 126, 20; Kangaroo Flat 134, 16; South Bendigo 114, 12; Eaglehawk 97, 8; Golden Square 66, 8; Castlemaine 60, 4; Maryborough 34, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 244 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 156, 24; Maryborough 99, 16; Strathfieldsaye 123, 12; Castlemaine 109, 12; Gisborne 97, 12; South Bendigo 93, 8; Eaglehawk 43, 4; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.

Top teams clash on Gisborne’s court

TOP teams Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat meet in this Saturday’s ninth round of A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The ladder-leading Gisborne has home-court advantage at Gardiner Reserve as first takes on second from 2.30pm.

In last year’s run to premiership glory, Gisborne was beaten in both home-and-away contests by the Kangaroos.

The Bulldogs’ tally of five defeats in ’23 included a 42-44 result on the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park in round four, and 25-32 loss at home in the 13^th round.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne turned things around to beat Flat, 37-31 in the qualifying final.

A week later and the Roos premiership race was ended in a one-goal loss to Castlemaine in the first semi-final.

Just as they have done for several seasons, Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat are among the leading pack in this year’s race for premiership glory.

The unbeaten Gisborne won last Saturday’s hard-fought match at Castlemaine by 14 goals as the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat had the bye.

Most recent hit-out for the Roos was the Indigenous Round feature match against Castlemaine on June 1.

The Roos won by 53 goals.

It’s been a big year for Cowling who has taken on dual coaching roles.

The long-time coach of the Roos’ A-grade team is also in charge of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in the Victorian Netball League.

Cowling is not just on the sidelines.

He played a key role in Victoria’s charge to gold at the national men’s netball titles in Brisbane and was recently in Canberra for a national training camp which involved two of the Strikers train-on players in Will Whiteacre and Ollie Ryan.

In Saturday’s other matches, South Bendigo is home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to take on Eaglehawk.

The Alicia McGlashan-coached Bloods will be keen to bounce back after being overrun in the final quarter of the King’s Birthday holiday weekend match on Golden Square’s court at Fur Life Oval.

It was a rest for the Hawks in A-grade last week as Eaglehawk played Maryborough at Canterbury Park.

Most recent match for the Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk ended in a 36-75 loss to Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Sandhurst will be back on the QEO court to take on Castlemaine.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst showed its flexibility in last week’s 43-goal win on Strathfieldsaye’s court at Triple M Park.

Although it was beaten the Chloe Hughes-coached Castlemaine played one of its best matches of the season against Gisborne.

It’s another big test for the young Magpies against a league power.

Maryborough hosts Strathfieldsaye in the lower grades at Princes Park, but it’s a rest for Storm’s A-grade team which is coached by Steph Freemantle.

Golden Square has the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Gisborne 150 per cent, 24 points; Kangaroo Flat 219, 20; Sandhurst 199, 20; Strathfieldsaye 90, 12; Eaglehawk 66, 8; Golden Square 60, 8; Castlemaine 68, 4; South Bendigo 59, 4.

Kangaroos jump back to top after win at Gisborne

KANGAROO Flat jumped back to top spot on the A-grade netball ladder after Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos made their way down Calder Highway to take on Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.

A closely-fought first quarter ended with the Roos in front, 13-10.

In the second the Flat increased its buffer by a goal as it led 25-21 at half-time.

Quarter three was another great contest in all thirds of the court.

At a term to go it was the Roos who led 36-30.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne lifted its play in the last to score 13 goals, but the tally was matched by the visitors.

At the final whistle Kangaroo Flat led 49-43.

Sandhurst dominated its match against Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst led 25-11 at quarter-time and won the second term, 23-14.

A Magpies’ line-up coached by Chloe Hughes kept working hard, but Sandhurst’s slick teamwork and goaling accuracy was superb.

Sandhurst won the third term, 17-13, and then added 23 goals as it kept the Pies to a tally of seven in the last.

At the final whistle the maroon and blue led 88-45.

It was a closely-fought contest up to three quarter-time between South Bendigo and Eaglehawk at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks led 11-7 at quarter-time.

A Bloods’ team coached by Alicia McGlashan fought back to win the second, 11-9, as the Hawks held a 20-18 by the main break.

Eaglehawk led 32-29 going into the final term and then outscored the Bloods in the last, 13-6, to clinch a 45-35 victory.

It was a rest for the Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye in A-grade, but Storm did play in the lower grades on Maryborough’s court at Princes Park.

Golden Square had the bye.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 199 per cent, 24 points; Sandhurst 198, 24; Gisborne 138, 24; Strathfieldsaye 90, 12; Eaglehawk 72, 12; Golden Square 60, 8; Castlemaine 65, 4; South Bendigo 61, 4.

Round 10 begins with Friday night’s match between Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat from 7pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

In Saturday’s action, South Bendigo is home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to take on Strathfieldsaye.

Golden Square faces Eaglehawk at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.

Maryborough hosts Castlemaine in the lower grades at Princes Park, but there will be no A-grade match.

Gisborne has the bye.

Round nine scoreboard:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 53 d Kangaroo Flat 38, South Bendigo 51 d Eaglehawk 41, Sandhurst 70 d Castlemaine 35, Maryborough 39 lt Strathfieldsaye 43, Golden Square bye.

B-grade:

Gisborne 48 d Kangaroo Flat 31, South Bendigo 52 dr Eaglehawk 52, Sandhurst 63 d Castlemaine 40, Maryborough 36 lt Strathfieldsaye 71, Golden Square bye.

B-reserve:

Gisborne 50 d Kangaroo Flat 36, South Bendigo 40 d Eaglehawk 21, Sandhurst 77 d Castlemaine 27, Maryborough 27 lt Strathfieldsaye 96, Golden Square bye.

17-and-under:

Gisborne 51 d Kangaroo Flat 23, South Bendigo 26 lt Eaglehawk 29, Sandhurst 70 d Castlemaine 41, Maryborough 49 d Strathfieldsaye 38, Golden Square bye.

League ladders:

A-reserve:

Gisborne 210 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 135, 24; Strathfieldsaye 127, 24; Maryborough 108, 22; Kangaroo Flat 112, 18; South Bendigo 80, 12; Castlemaine 64, 8; Eaglehawk 67, 4; Golden Square 63, 0.

B-grade:

Gisborne 196 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 166, 28; Kangaroo Flat 134, 24; Strathfieldsaye 117, 20; South Bendigo 90, 14; Eaglehawk 83, 14; Castlemaine 67, 8; Golden Square 69, 4; Maryborough 47, 0.

B-reserve:

Sandhurst 227 per cent, 32 points; Gisborne 195, 28; Strathfieldsaye 134, 24; South Bendigo 119, 20; Kangaroo Flat 123, 16; Eaglehawk 104, 12; Golden Square 68, 8; Castlemaine 51, 4; Maryborough 33, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 235 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 159, 28; Maryborough 108, 24; Gisborne 103, 16; Castlemaine 101, 16; Strathfieldsaye 97, 12; South Bendigo 85, 8; Eaglehawk 48, 8; Kangaroo Flat 41, 0.

THERE are some old faces among the new as Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League clubs build up for the start of the ’23 footy season.

It’s been a busy time on the recruiting front, especially at Sandhurst and Eaglehawk as they strive to improve on last year’s fifth and seventh placings.

Grand finalists Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye have made changes in a bid to stay at the top.

Brad Fox takes charge as Gisborne chases back-to-back premiership victories, while the Darryl Wilson coached Storm eyes a fifth consecutive grand final appearance.

A top contender for the past few years, Golden Square again looks strong as it strives to hit back from a two-point loss to Gisborne in last September’s preliminary final.

It’s a new era for South Bendigo which has made the move from Queen Elizabeth Oval to now be based at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

Sandhurst has welcomed back several premiership winners and also recruited versatile big man Bryce Curnow to be co-coach with Ash Connick.

Stung by missing the finals by percentage after a 10-8 run to be sixth, the Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton looms as a big threat to climb into the top five.

Kangaroo Flat, Maryborough and Castlemaine all have new coaches in charge.

The Roos have appointed Nathan Johns who brings a wealth of coaching experience to Dower Park.

Coby Perry steps up to be playing coach at Maryborough.

Premiership player Brendan Shepherd will be determined to mark a successful return at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

As reigning premier, Gisborne will be prepared for the heat.

It’s the third time in the club’s stint in the Bendigo FNL it starts a season chasing back-to-back premierships.

The Gardiner Reserve-based Bulldogs did so in 2002-03 and 2005-06.

A line-up that includes captain Pat McKenna, Braidon Blake, Flynn Lakey, Jack Reaper, Matt Merrett and Sam Graham will be tough to beat.

Those to have left Gisborne include Ethan Foreman, Kyneton; Josh Kemp, Aberfeldie; Ethan Minns, Woodend-Heskett; Matt Panuccio, Riddell;

Strathfieldsaye’s remarkable run since 2013 includes being in seven of eight grand finals and a win-loss tally of 4-3.

Key inclusions for Storm include running half-back Luke Webb as playing assistant coach.

Webb was on Geelong’s list in the VFL and also played for St Joseph’s.

A powerful attack is bolstered by the inclusion of Jack Exell who kicked 100 goals for Violet Town last season.

Storm also regains Alex Powell after stints at Tooleybuc and Bridgewater.

A triple premiership player and Nalder medallist for best afield in the 2017 grand final win, Kallen Geary has left Storm to play for Eaglehawk where his superb career kicked off.

Fergus Payne has gone to Inglewood as an assistant coach.

A formidable Storm line-up includes Michelsen medallists Lachlan Sharp at full-forward, and ruck-rover Jake Moorhead.

Golden Square has kept most of last year’s line-up which reached the preliminary final.

Christian Carter kicks off a third season in charge and has 2001 premiership winner Matt Dillon back at the club as assistant coach.

Most recent coaching stint for Dillon was in 2019 when North Bendigo won the Heathcote DFNL grand final.

Back in the blue and gold is Tom Toma from Cohuna Kangas.

A hard-at-it mid/onballer, Toma’s signing is a huge plus for the Bulldogs.

A multiple premiership winner, dual Nalder medallist for best afield in a grand final, and the 2018 Michelsen medallist, Jack Geary will again lead Golden Square.

The Dogs’ attack was brilliantly led by Joel Brett and Jayden Burke last season.

Those to have transferred from Square include Jarrod Fitzpatrick to Boort; Liam Jacques to Heathcote, and Will Thrum to Cohuna Kangas.

After marking a long-awaited finals appearance by winning the elimination, South Bendigo will be determined to keep rising.

The Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods welcome back classy small forward Steven Stroobants from Rochester.

The return of Stroobants off-sets the departure of Ron Best medallist Kaiden Antonowicz to White Hills.

Another key signing for the Bloods was ruckman Mac Cameron from Monash Blues.

The play of Brock Harvey in attack, Zac Hare, Cooper Leon, Will Allen, Braydan Torpey and Andrew van Heumen will have a major bearing on South’s run in ’23.

After a productive recruiting spree, Sandhurst could mark a rise from fifth to premier this season.

The Dragons gained Bryce Curnow who was the Nalder medallist in Strathfieldsaye’s grand final win in 2019 and played in Kerang’s premiership victory last season.

Also back at Sandhurst are Nick Stagg and Andy Collins from Kerang and Bridgewater respectively.

Another key recruit is Harrison Monk.

Gun midfielder Lachlan Tardrew is still on Collingwood’s list in the VFL, but has re-aligned with the Dragons.

The Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton again shapes as a tough opponent, especially at Tigerland.

A previous winner of the club’s goalkicking award, the classy Ethan Foreman is back in the yellow and black after premiership success at Gisborne.

Although he battled hamstring issues last season, Foreman’s skill and experience is a massive plus for the Tigers.

Kyneton has also gained another talented small forward in Thomas Quinn from the VAFA, but will be without Rhys Magin, Sunbury Kangaroos; and Guy Dickson, Leongatha.

The return of the Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen has generated plenty of excitement as Eaglehawk strives to fly from seventh position.

After a 207-game career with St Kilda, Jarryn Geary’s play across half-back or any other role decided by coach Travis Matheson is a massive plus for the Two Blues and the league.

Another key signing for the Borough was ruckman Connor Dalgleish from Montmorency.

Other players listed on the transfer list to Eaglehawk included Ryan Wellington from Mitiamo; Jack Daley and Jacob Greenwood from Calivil United.

Departures from Eaglehawk include Shaun Knott to Westmeadows, and Sean Williams to Rochester.

A 14^th year in coaching for Nathan Johns is likely to be one of his most challenging as he takes charge at Kangaroo Flat.

Key signings for the Roos were tall defenders Jordan and Zac Rouse to join what will be an extremely young team.

Long-time number one ruckman and captain Nick Lang has made the move from the Roos to Kerang.

Others to have left Dower Park include Brodie and Jackson Fry and Lachlan Wilson to Huntly; Max Johnson to Lockington-Bamawm; and Mitch Rovers to Mount Pleasant.

For the Roos’ coaching team, players and supporters it’s not focus on what we don’t have, but we do have.

A premiership winner as a teenager with Castlemaine in 2000, Brendan Shepherd returns to Camp Reserve as senior coach.

The Magpies re-appointed Brodie Martin as senior assistant coach, while Jackson Hood tackles a new role as playing assistant coach.

Signings for the Pies included Lloyd Butcher from Waverley Blues; Tom Wilson from Marong; and David Wilson after stints at Harcourt and Maldon.

Key players for Castlemaine include Bailey Henderson, Liam Wilkinson, David Stephens, Brad Keogh, and Brodie and Jackson Byrne.

A coup for Maryborough was the signing of Joel Swatton from South Bendigo to play in the midfield and also be strength and conditioning coach.

The Magpies also regain gun onballer and previous best and fairest winner in Bailey Edwards.

Based in Darwin, Edwards played the latest Northern Territory FL season with Nightcliff.

The Tigers were beaten in the first semi by St Mary’s in a season where Edwards played 16 games and kicked 11 goals.

Edwards was among Carisbrook’s best as it finished runner-up to Harcourt in last year’s Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL senior grand final.

Players on the transfer list to the Magpies included Darcy Bond, Sam Flynn, Brodie Quinlan, and James Woods.

The Pies will be without talented on-baller Aidan Hare who has headed west from Princes Park to Peel Thunder.

Maryborough will be desperate to hit back from a winless season.

CASTLEMAINE bounced Kangaroo Flat from the A-grade netball premiership race on Sunday.

The Magpies swooped for a 42-41 victory in the first semi-final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Last season’s runner-up and third at the end of the home-and-away series, Kangaroo Flat was beaten in consecutive weeks in the finals series.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos were on the rebound from a six-goal loss to Gisborne in the qualifying final.

Castlemaine had won the elimination final against South Bendigo by 23 goals.

The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine have moved to week three of the finals series where they take on Gisborne in the preliminary final.

In pursuit of a fifth consecutive A-grade premiership, Sandhurst showed it’s going to be extremely difficult to stop as it won Saturday’s second semi-final against Gisborne.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst fired up for a 44-38 victory.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne worked hard, but the maroon and blue was able to answer a spirited challenge.

Second semi-final day featured four matches between Sandhurst and Gisborne.

The Dragons won the A-reserve match by 11 goals, and the 17-and-under contest by three goals.

Gisborne marked a 48-46 win against the maroon and blue in B-grade.

In B-reserve, Sandhurst took on Kangaroo Flat where the Dragons won a closely-fought match, 45-43.

Fans were treated to dramatic finishes to Sunday’s first semi-finals.

In A-reserve, Kangaroo Flat beat South Bendigo by a goal.

The Kangaroos also took out the B-grade clash with Strathfieldsaye by two goals.

A tough day for Strathfieldsaye Storm included a five-goal loss to Gisborne in B-reserve.

Golden Square’s rising stars stayed in the premiership race when they scored a 48-41 win against Strathfieldsaye in the 17-and-under match.

Second semi-final scoreboard:

A-grade: Sandhurst 44 d Gisborne 38.

A-reserve: Gisborne 33 lt Sandhurst 44.

B-grade: Sandhurst 46 lt Gisborne 48.

B-reserve: Sandhurst 45 d Kangaroo Flat 43.

17-and-under: Sandhurst 46 d Gisborne 43.

First semi-final scoreboard:

A-grade: Kangaroo Flat 41 lt Castlemaine 42.

A-reserve: Kangaroo Flat 38 d South Bendigo 37.

B-grade: Kangaroo Flat 49 d Strathfieldsaye 47.

B-reserve: Gisborne 39 d Strathfieldsaye 34.

17-and-under: Golden Square 48 d Strathfieldsaye 41.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

A-grade at 3.20pm: Gisborne v Castlemaine.

A-reserve at 2pm: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.

17-and-under at 10am: Gisborne v Golden Square.

EIGHT clubs will feature in either netball qualifying or elimination finals in this weekend’s Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

On Saturday it’s Kangaroo Flat against Gisborne in the A-grade qualifying final.

The Roos and Bullogs clash starts at 3.20pm.

This season’s meetings stand at one-all.

Kangaroo Flat won the round four showdown on its Dower Park court, 44-42.

Defences were well on top in the 13^th round when Gisborne claimed a 32-35 victory at its Gardiner Reserve home.

Since the loss to Gisborne the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat is on a five-game winning streak.

Runner-up last season, the Kangaroos have a powerful team led by captain Chelsea Sartori, and co-captains Ashley Ryan and Carly Van Den Heuvel.

The Roos’ squad for the qualifying final includes Lou Dupuy, Ingrid Hopkins, Ava Lowndes, Emma Moroney, Ashlee O’Shea, Abbey Ryan, Annie Spear, Ella and Milly Wicks.

Gisborne ended the home-and-away series on a 14-4 record.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs have a win-loss tally of 3-2 across the past five rounds.

A 31-47 loss to Sandhurst at the QEO in the 16^th round was followed by a 28-32 upset to South Bendigo at home in the 17^th round.

Key players in the red, white and blue include co-captains Kirby Elliott and Claudia Mawson who has represented Victoria Fury at the past two Netball Australia championships.

Gisborne also has Kiralee Collings, Rylee Connell, Zoe Davies, Charlee Kemp, Emerson Lakey, Tiana Newman and Torie Skrijel to take to the court.

The winner of the Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne match meets unbeaten reigning premier in the second semi-final on September 9.

Eight days after they drew their final round clash, Castlemaine and South Bendigo meet again in Sunday’s elimination final.

The Magpies and Bloods match starts at 3.20pm.

When these clubs met in round four it was Castlemaine which scored a 44-31 win on its court at Camp Reserve.

Both teams warmed up for the finals by playing a round 18 thriller in the Bloods’ home at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

Scores were locked on 45-all at the final whistle.

The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine achieved a win-loss tally of 11-5 and two draws in the home-and-away series.

Among the highs was a 55-39 victory against Kangaroo Flat in the fifth round at Camp Reserve.

Castlemaine’s squad for Sunday will be led by captain Jane O’Donohue, playing coach Fiona Fowler, Caitlin Richardson, Montaya Sardi and Megan Wilson.

Goalshooter Mikaela Vaughan was superb against the Bloods last Saturday.

The Magpies will also be represented by Kyla Byrne, Madeline Carter, Meg Ginnivan, Charlotte McMurray and Emma Winfield.

A knee injury has put Tara Ford on the sidelines.

The record for the Jannelle Hobbs-coached South Bendigo is 9-7-2.

The Bloods win at Gisborne showed it could be a huge threat to those in the top four.

After a 41-44 loss at Eaglehawk in the 10^th round, South Bendigo was under intense pressure in the race to decide fifth place.

The Bloods lifted for a 61-52 victory on Strathfieldsaye Storm’s court at Triple M Park in the 15^th round.

A hat-trick of wins included taking the points against Maryborough and Gisborne.

The Bloods have great leadership provided by Stephanie Goode and Alicia McGlashan.

A key player is the classy Chloe Langley in attack.

Coach Hobbs is rapt with the development of teenagers Carissa Brook, Maggie Burke and Claudia Griffiths.

South Bendigo’s squad to face the Magpies includes includes Chloe Gray, Stephanie Greene, Olivia Mason, Morgan McClellan and Amanda Walters.

In the A-reserve competition, Sandhurst takes on Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s qualifying final at 2pm.

The Dragons have won both hit-outs against the Roos this season.

In round one, Sandhurst scored a 63-42 victory on the QEO court.

Scores were much closer in the 10^th round as the Dragons won 44-37 on the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park.

Sandhurst achieved 14 wins, a draw, and just one defeat in the run to the finals.

The Kangaroos’ record is 10-6.

It will be the Dragons or Kangaroos against Gisborne in the second semi-final.

On Sunday it’s South Bendigo against Castlemaine in the A-reserve elimination final from 2pm.

Although the Magpies finished a rung below the Bloods, Castlemaine scored a 33-29 win against South Bendigo in the ninth round, and marked a 42-40 victory at Harry Trott Oval last Saturday.

The Bloods’ tally in the regular season was 9-7.

In B-grade, Gisborne faces Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s qualifying final at 12.40pm.

It’s one-all in this season’s meetings.

Kangaroo Flat beat the Dogs, 47-42 in the fourth round.

The round 13 showdown at Gardiner Reserve ended in a 53-47 victory for Gisborne.

The Bulldogs had a win-loss tally of 15-2 and also drew a match in the home-and-away series.

Kangaroo Flat’s record is 14-4.

The winner meets Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

On Sunday, Strathfieldsaye plays South Bendigo in the B-grade elimination final from 12.40pm.

It was 42-all when the Bloods and Storm clashed in round six at Harry Trott Oval.

Storm surged to a 46-36 victory against the red and white in the 15^th round at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

Storm’s record is 10 wins, seven losses, and a draw.

The Bloods’ marked a win-loss tally of 8-7, but also drew matches with Storm in round six, Eaglehawk in the 10^th, and Kyneton in the 12^th round.

Beaten just once, Kangaroo Flat will start favourite in the B-reserve qualifying final.

The Roos and Bulldogs will play from 11.20am.

In round four, Kangaroo Flat beat Gisborne, 59-42 at Dower Park.

The Roos hopped to a 48-35 victory on Gisborne’s court in the 13^th round on the way to a 17-1 record this season.

Gisborne has a win-loss tally of 13-5.

The ladder-leading Sandhurst has advanced to the second semi.

It’s Strathfieldsaye against Eaglehawk in Sunday’s elimination final from 11.20am.

The Hawks won 33-32 at Triple M Park in the fifth round.

Storm was too strong in the return game played at Canterbury Park where it won 45-33.

The league’s young stars take to the court from 10am on Saturday and Sunday to contest the 17-under matches.

In the qualifying final it’s Gisborne against Golden Square.

The Bulldogs from the south won 58-47 at Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in Wade Street in the sixth round.

Golden Square won a great contest at Gardiner Reserve in the 15^th round, 49-44.

It’s a 16-2 record for Gisborne, and 14-4 for Golden Square across the home-and-away series.

Either Gisborne or Golden Square will face Sandhurst in the second semi.

On Sunday it will be Strathfieldsaye and Maryborough fighting to keep their season alive in the elimination final.

First pass in the match between Storm and the Magpies will be at 10am.

In round eight scores were locked at 36-all when the whistle sounded to end the match at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

The Magpies won 41-35 at Strathfieldsaye in the 17^th round.

Both elimination finalists have identical records of 10-7-1 win across the home-and-away series.

CASTLEMAINE ended South Bendigo’s run as they met in Sunday’s elimination final on two of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL netball finals action.

The Magpies and South Bendigo had drawn their previous contest just eight days earlier in the last round of the home-and-away series.

Jointly coached by  Fiona Fowler, playing, and Gary Cooke, Castlemaine made a great start to the elimination final.

The Magpies led 13-9 at quarter-time and then took control to win the second term, 15-7.

Winning the next two quarters, 13-7 and 16-11 meant the Magpies were up 57-34 at the final siren.

Castlemaine will now meet Kangaroo Flat in next Sunday’s first semi-final.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos will be on the rebound from a qualifying loss to Gisborne.

In Saturday’s start to the finals series it was the strong defence of the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne which played a big part in winning the A-grade clash with Kangaroo Flat.

The Bulldogs led 10-9 at quarter-time and 19-15 by the main break.

Gisborne then won the third term, 12-8.

Although the Flat outscored the red, white and blue in the last quarter, 8-6, it was Gisborne which advanced to the second semi after a 37-31 victory.

Gisborne will take on Sandhurst, the unbeaten reigning premier next Saturday.

In A-reserve, South Bendigo won a closely-fought elimination final against Castlemaine.

The Bloods were down 10-13 at quarter-time, but hit back to win the second term, 12-7.

Both teams scored 12 goals in the third quarter.

Pressure was high in the last as the Bloods poured in 10 goals and held the Magpies to a tally of nine.

At the final siren South Bendigo led 46-43.

Sandhurst dominated Saturday’s qualifying final showdown with Kangaroo Flat.

The maroon and blue led 7-6 at quarter-time and then unleashed a 14-5 blitz in the second.

A 10-goal buffer at the start of the third was 14 by the end it as the Dragons scored 13 goals to the Roos’ tally of nine.

Sandhurst went on to win 50-27 and set up a second semi-final meeting with Gisborne.

A great day for Strathfieldsaye in the elimination finals included three wins for Storm.

In B-grade, Storm faced South Bendigo.

Strathfieldsaye led 10-7 at quarter-time and then won the next three terms, 12-3, 14-10 and 14-7 for a 50-27 victory.

Storm will now take on Kangaroo Flat in the first semi-final.

The Roos were beaten by Gisborne in Saturday’s qualifying final by 14 goals.

Just a goal separated the teams at half-time as the Bulldogs led 22-21.

Gisborne dominated the third, 16-10, and then won the last, 17-10, for a 55-41 result.

Saturday’s second semi-final will feature Sandhurst against Gisborne.

In B-reserve, Strathfieldsaye surged to an eight-goal victory against Eaglehawk in the elimination final.

Storm led 19-17 at half-time and won the third quarter, 9-5.

It was a closely-fought last term as Storm led 37-29 at the final siren.

Strathfieldsaye now takes on Gisborne in the first semi.

The Bulldogs were beaten in two quarters, had a win in one, and drew the other in a 41-55 loss to Kangaroo Flat in the qualifying final.

The Kangaroos led 15-10 at quarter-time and 25-21 by the long break.

Both teams scored 13 goals in the third before the Roos poured in 17 goals and held Gisborne to just seven in the last.

A 55-41 victory put Kangaroo Flat into the second semi against Sandhurst.

Elimination final day began with a one-goal thriller between Strathfieldsaye and Maryborough in the 17-and-under competition.

Scores were eight-all at quarter-time and 16 apiece by the long break.

In the third term it was Strathfieldsaye which outscored the Magpies, 14-11.

Maryborough won the last, 8-6, but it was Storm which stayed in the premiership race in a dramatic 36-35 victory.

Strathfieldsaye will now play Golden Square in the first semi.

On Saturday it was Gisborne against Golden Square in the qualifying final.

Gisborne led 15-12 at quarter-time and then charged to a 28-17 lead by half-time.

The team in red, white and blue won the third term, 13-9.

Golden Square fought on well to win the last, 14-12, as Gisborne won the match, 53-40 to advance to a second semi-final clash with Sandhurst.

Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne

A-reserve at 2pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.

17-and-under at 10am: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

A-grade at 3.20pm: Kangaroo Flat v Castlemaine.

A-reserve at 2pm: Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.