TOP teams Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst clash in this Saturday’s 14th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Kangaroos and Dragons will play at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park from 2.30pm.
The rematch of the ’25 grand finalists in round five ended in a 60-50 win for the Kangaroos at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Unbeaten in its quest for back-to-back premierships, Kangaroo Flat rolls into this contest following a 106-16 victory in last Saturday’s match on Broadford’s court at Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have played many great matches against Sandhurst in recent seasons and are likely to meet in another finals campaign.
A 10-1 record has the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst in second place on the ladder.
After a lengthy break on the sidelines, Sandhurst returned to the court last Saturday.
The maroon and blue charged to a 70-49 win at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street on a day the Dragons and Bulldogs senior footy teams played for the Ron Best Memorial Shield.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane where the Storm takes on Eaglehawk.
It’s sixth against fifth as the Storm and Hawks are locked on 20 premiership points.
The Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye has played one less match.
Eaglehawk jumped to the fifth rung as it scored a 15-goal win against South Bendigo last round.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Hawks marked their best performance for the season in a 75-60 victory against the Bloods at C and M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
In-form players for Eaglehawk include Sienna Hobbs, Chloe Langley and Mia McCrann-Peters.
Storm won a hard-fought match at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve last Saturday.
Strathfieldsaye led 44-38 at the end of its clash with the Magpies at The Railway Hotel Oval.
In round five, Storm fought on for a 49-48 win in Eagleahwk.
Stung by its loss on Eaglehawk’s court, South Bendigo will be back at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington to play Broadford from 10am.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods have a tough few weeks coming up as they play Sandhurst at the QEO in round 15, host Golden Square in Kennington a week later, and head to Kangaroo Flat on August 15.
The Jaimie Hooper-coached Broadford will be working hard to halt South Bendigo’s quick and precise passing from mid-court to attack where Gabe Richards is capable of scoring many goals.
Rested by the bye, Gisborne returns to its court at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve to play Castlemaine.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne won on the Magpies’ court in round five by 46 goals.
The Bulldogs have an experienced and well-drilled team.
Castlemaine will have gained plenty of confidence from last week’s match against Strathfieldsaye.
The Vanessa Saunders-coached Castlemaine worked hard in a 38-44 loss to Storm.
Golden Square has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition after 13 rounds:
Kangaroo Flat 215 per cent, 48 points; Sandhurst 180, 40; Gisborne 167, 32; South Bendigo 122, 28; Eaglehawk 97, 20; Golden Square 99, 16; Strathfieldsaye 88, 16; Castlemaine 42, 4; Broadford 28, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball, round 13 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Eaglehawk 41 lt South Bendigo 75, Golden Square 43 lt Sandhurst 60, Castlemaine 56 d Strathfieldsaye 43, Broadford 12 lt Kangaroo Flat 84, Gisborne bye,
B-grade:
Eaglehawk 39 lt South Bendigo 50, Golden Square 38 lt Sandhurst 61, Castlemaine 21 lt Strathfieldsaye 53, Broadford 37 lt Kangaroo Flat 56, Gisborne bye.
B-reserve:
Eaglehawk 35 lt South Bendigo 44, Golden Square 35 lt Sandhurst 38, Castlemaine 35 lt Strathfieldsaye 55, Broadford 12 lt Kangaroo Flat 84, Gisborne bye.
17-and-under:
Eaglehawk 55 d South Bendigo 34, Golden Square 37 lt Sandhurst 49, Castlemaine 34 lt Strathfieldsaye 62, Broadford 27 lt Kangaroo Flat 70, Gisborne bye.
15-and-under:
Eaglehawk 30 lt South Bendigo 31, Golden Square 43 lt Sandhurst 64, Castlemaine 23 lt Strathfieldsaye 55.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 13 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 148 per cent, 40 points; Kangaroo Flat 148, 34; Sandhurst 122, 28; Gisborne 132, 24; Eaglehawk 90, 18; Strathfieldsaye 69, 8; Golden Square 65, 4; Castlemaine 60, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 199 per cent, 44 points; South Bendigo 133, 36; Strathfieldsaye 124, 32; Kangaroo Flat 129, 30; Sandhurst 127, 28; Golden Square 90, 20; Eaglehawk 82, 10; Broadford 55, 8; Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 179 per cent, 44 points; South Bendigo 144, 36; Gisborne 164, 34; Sandhurst 141, 32; Strathfieldsaye 116, 22; Golden Square 105, 16; Eaglehawk 90, 16; Castlemaine 50, 4; Broadford 23, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 180 per cent, 40 points; Sandhurst 200, 36; Strathfieldsaye 165, 36; Kangaroo Flat 124, 30; Eaglehawk 90, 22; Gisborne 116, 20; South Bendigo 91, 20; Castlemaine 48, 4; Broadford 26, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 323 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 191, 28; South Bendigo 110, 28; Eaglehawk 76, 16; Strathfieldsaye 91, 12; Kangaroo Flat 65, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.
