JUST as it was a year ago, Gisborne and Sandhurst meet in the A-grade netball match on Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL preliminary final day at Queen Elizabeth Oval this Saturday.
Last September it was the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which beat the Bulldogs to advance to the grand final.
It also signals the finale to an intense rivalry built up across many seasons as Gisborne transfers to play in the Ballarat FNL from ’27.
For this preliminary final the Dragons are feeling the heat as the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has won the past two showdowns with the maroon and blue.
Gisborne fought on for a 55-52 win against Sandhurst in the qualifying final played on the neutral court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
When these teams last met on the QEO court it was Gisborne which beat the tenant, 44-40 in the 17th round.
It was the same scores, but different result in round eight when Sandhurst took the points at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval at Gardiner Reserve.
After its success in the second semi-final, Gisborne faced the unbeaten Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos took another big step toward back-to-back premierships as they won 51-37.
Sandhurst bounced back for a 72-56 win against South Bendigo in the first semi-final.
Defence is a major strength of the Gisborne line-up.
The Bulldogs have Tilly Shepherd as goalkeeper, Charlee Kemp at goal defence, and Kirby Elliott charging through mid-court as wing defence.
Tori Skrijel is a brilliant player in attack.
Gisborne is also represented by Amity Drayton, Charlee Duff-Tytler, Emerson Lakey and Emily Miles.
Key players for Sandhurst include centre Shae Clifford who earnt the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best last season.
Other players to watch in the maroon and blue are Meg and Darcy Williams, Ruby Turner, and Sophie James (Shoebridge).
Brilliant play by Harriet Whiteacre earnt the Bart ‘n’ Print Rising Star award.
Sandhurst has the big-game experience of Bec Smith and dual Betty Thompson medallist Heather Oliver as they team up with Claire McGee and Kelsey Ralph.
In the A-reserve competition it’s Gisborne against South Bendigo.
A goal separated these teams in the qualifying final where the Kayleen Elliott-coached Gisborne won 50-49.
The Bulldogs are on the rebound from a 45-40 loss to Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.
South Bendigo won the first semi against Sandhurst by 18 goals.
The Lauren Bowles and Amanda Walters-coached Bloods had beaten Gisborne by four goals in round two, and by three in the 11th round.
Strathfieldsaye Storm fronts up for the B-grade clash with Kangaroo Flat.
After a 50-33 win against South Bendigo in the qualifying final the Jo Artavilla-coached Strathfieldsaye could not halt Gisborne charging to a nine-goal victory in the second semi-final.
The Chelsea Sartori and Kate Newman-coached Kangaroo Flat has fought from the elimination final.
A 41-35 win against Sandhurst on day two of the finals series ended the Dragons’ run.
The Kangaroos then beat South Bendigo in the first semi-final by three goals.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between Storm and the Kangaroos.
Strathfieldsaye won 47-36 at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park in round nine.
The Roos bounced back for a 32-30 win in round 18 at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Kangaroo Flat takes on South Bendigo in the B-reserve match.
The Kangaroos will be determined to rebound from a 46-34 loss to Gisborne in the second semi-final.
After a 48-37 loss to Gisborne in the qualifying final the Sarah Dennis and Katie Richmond-coached South Bendigo won the first semi against Strathfieldsaye by 12 goals.
The Nina Cass-coached Kangaroos will start favourite as it beat the Bloods by four goals in round eight and by 17 in the 17th round.
It’s Sandhurst against Golden Square in the 17-and-under match.
After finishing the home-and-away series on top of the ladder, Sandhurst was beaten in last Saturday’s second semi-final showdown with Strathfieldsaye by four goals.
Golden Square was beaten, 42-40 in the qualifying final clash with Strathfieldsaye.
The Jody Richards-coached Golden Square fought on for a 41-40 win against South Bendigo in the first semi-final.
The Bulldogs won the round four match with Sandhurst at the QEO by five goals.
Next time around it was the Carol Cathcart and Rose Gallagher-coached Sandhurst which won 49-37 at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Golden Square will play South Bendigo in the 15-and-under preliminary final from 8.40am.
When they met in the qualifying final at Harry Trott Oval it was the Clare Hope and Sharni McPherson-coached Golden Square which claimed a 56-46 victory.
The blue and gold is on the rebound from a 39-25 loss to Sandhurst in the second semi.
South Bendigo scored a 37-25 win against Eaglehawk in the first semi-final.
Golden Square starts as favourite as it beat the Rox Hayes-coached South Bendigo by 25 and 22 goals in the home-and-away series.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
15-and-under at 8.40am: Golden Square v South Bendigo.
17-and-under at 10am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.
B-reserve at 11.20am: Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo.
B-grade at 12.40pm: Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat.
A-reserve at 2pm: Gisborne v South Bendigo.
A-grade at 3.20pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
