LONG-TIME co-tenants at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Sandhurst and South Bendigo renew their A-grade netball rivalry in Saturday’s 15th round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
The Dragons and Bloods will play at the iconic venue from 2.30pm.
On-court Sandhurst will be aiming to continue its winning streak against the and white.
When they met in round six it was the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which won 60-47 on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
The Dragons are on the rebound from a four-goal loss to Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s match on the Kangaroos’ court at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Dower Park.
A top contest between the ’25 grand finalists ended in a 64-60 victory for the reigning premier.
South Bendigo dominated its home game against Broadford to win by 67 goals.
The Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo will expect their opponents to again bring a high level of pressure and fast-paced play to the court.
Fifth in the premiership race, Eaglehawk faces a tough task against Gisborne at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
The clash of the Hawks and Bulldogs will start at 2.30pm.
The Janelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk rolls into this match a win and nine per cent clear of the sixth-placed Strathfieldsaye.
Was a superb effort by the Two Blues to win last Saturday’s match on Storm’s court in Triple M Park by 10 goals.
Another big best for the Borough as the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne won the round six showdown with Eaglehawk at Melbourne North Truck Centre Oval in Gardiner Reserve by 27 goals.
The Bulldogs won their latest hit-out at home against Castlemaine by 40 goals.
First of the A-grade matches on Saturday will start at 2pm when Broadford hosts Strathfieldsaye at Harley Hammond Reserve.
A young Broadford team coached by Jaimie Hooper has learnt plenty in its debut season in the Bendigo FNL.
Strathfieldsaye will be eyeing a chance to close the percentage gap to Eaglehawk by a significant margin.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm scored 80 goals against the Kangaroos in round six.
Golden Square will be on its court at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street to play the unbeaten Kangaroo Flat from 3.20pm.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square had the bye last round as the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos won a closely-fought contest with Sandhurst.
In round six the powerful Kangaroo Flat team passed the 80-goal mark against the blue and gold.
Castlemaine has the bye.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 202 per cent, 52 points; Sandhurst 169, 40; Gisborne 174, 36; South Bendigo 133, 32; Eaglehawk 98, 24; Strathfieldsaye 89, 20; Golden Square 99, 16; Castlemaine 43, 4; Broadford 28, 0.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after 14 rounds:
A-reserve:
South Bendigo 147 per cent, 40 points; Kangaroo Flat 150, 38; Gisborne 141, 28; Sandhurst 113, 28; Eaglehawk 91, 22; Strathfieldsaye 72, 8; Castlemaine 62, 8; Golden Square 65, 4.
B-grade:
Gisborne 214 per cent, 48 points; South Bendigo 134, 40; Strathfieldsaye 122, 36; Kangaroo Flat 128, 34; Sandhurst 123, 28; Golden Square 90, 20; Eaglehawk 83, 10; Broadford 57, 8; Castlemaine 42, 0.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 177 per cent, 48 points; South Bendigo 153, 40; Gisborne 166, 38; Sandhurst 131, 32; Strathfieldsaye 122, 30; Golden Square 105, 16; Eaglehawk 87, 16; Castlemaine 51, 4; Broadford 23, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 186 per cent, 40 points; Golden Square 180, 40; Strathfieldsaye 163, 40; Kangaroo Flat 122, 30; Gisborne 120, 24; South Bendigo 101, 24; Eaglehawk 88, 22; Castlemaine 48, 4; Broadford 25, 0.
15-and-under:
Sandhurst 333 per cent, 36 points; Golden Square 191, 28; South Bendigo 110, 28; Eaglehawk 78, 20; Strathfieldsaye 92, 12; Kangaroo Flat 59, 8; Castlemaine 36, 0.
