ROUND 2 NETBALLPREVIEW - Hawks, Bloods prepare for netball tests
BY NATHAN DOLE
EAGLEHAWK and South Bendigo face crucial tests on the netball court when second round matches for A-grade in the the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL are played on Good Friday.
The Hawks have home-court advantage at Canterbury Park for their clash with Kangaroo Flat.
South Bendigo makes its way down the Calder Highway to play at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
The Jannelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk made a great to the season as it scored a 60-43 victory on Golden Square’s court.
A multiple premiership-winning coach at Kangaroo Flat, Hobbs has returned to the Bendigo FNL.
Her most recent stint in the league was with South Bendigo.
Eaglehawk’s squad includes Allira Holmes, Chloe Langley, Kayla Cox and Lucy Morcom.
The Hawks are up against a Kangaroo Flat line-up which jumped to top of the ladder.
In a rematch of the ’24 grand final, Kangaroo Flat netted a 64-36 victory against Gisborne which is chasing a hat-trick of A-grade titles.
The Roos have plenty of goalscoring power, so Eaglehawk’s ability to raise the pressure through mid-court and in the defensive third will be vital in every quarter.
Players to watch for the Kangaroos include Chelsea Sartori, Milly Wicks, Abbey and Ash Ryan, and Alicia McGlashan.
Stung by a 28-goal loss on the Kangaroos’ court, Gisborne will be determined to bounce back.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne faces a new-look South Bendigo which is keen to make an early statement.
After a great run of success as a player and coach at White Hills, Lauren Bowles (nee Cowling) has taken on the A-grade coaching role at South Bendigo.
Cowling’s first match as Bloods’ coach was capped with a 59-44 victory against Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
Gisborne will look for big games from the likes of Claudia Mawson, Charlee Kemp, Torie Skrijel and Zoe Davies.
Key players for the Bloods include goalshooter Gabe Richards, Stephanie Goode, Ella Flavell, Chloe Gray and Andrea Wilson.
Strathfieldsaye will be on its court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane against Sandhurst.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm take on an opponent which had a first-round bye.
Key players in Strathfieldsaye’s squad include Brooke and Rachelle Mangan, Steph Freemantle, Claire Gibbs and Paynton Jolliffe.
After missing out on reaching last season’s grand final, Sandhurst will be fired up to regain its place at or near top of the ladder.
A strong Sandhurst squad coached by Tamara Gilchrist includes Bec Smith, Heather Oliver, Ruby Turner, Meg Williams, Kelsey Meade and Shae Clifford.
It’s a bye for Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold will play Castlemaine in all other grades on the Magpies’ court at Camp Reserve.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 177 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 139, 4; South Bendigo 134, 4; Strathfieldsaye 74, 0; Golden Square 71, 0; Gisborne 56, 0; Sandhurst 0, 0.
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 218 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 158, 4; Gisborne 132, 4; Strathfieldsaye 104, 4; South Bendigo 95, 0; Kangaroo Flat 75, 0; Golden Square 63, 0; Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 225 per cent, 4 points; Gisborne 137, 4; South Bendigo 126, 4; Eaglehawk 116, 4; Golden Square 86, 0; Strathfieldsaye 79, 0; Kangaroo Flat 72, 0; Castlemaine 44, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 2766 per cent, 4 points; Strathfieldsaye 144, 4; Eaglehawk 116, 4; Gisborne 115, 4; Kangaroo Flat 86, 0; Golden Square 85, 0; South Bendigo 69, 0; Castlemaine 3, 0.
17-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 557 per cent, 4 points; Golden Square 394, 4; Sandhurst 338, 4; Gisborne 180, 4; Kangaroo Flat 55, 0; Castlemaine 29, 0; Eaglehawk 25, 0; South Bendigo 17, 0.
