ROUND 3 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Dogs fire up for clash with Storm

BY NATHAN DOLE

GISBORNE has eyes on a chance to continue Strathfieldsaye Storm’s winless start to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season in Saturday’s round three clash.

Stung by a 27-point loss at home to South Bendigo on Good Friday, Gisborne will be fired up for another home game at Gardiner Reserve.

The Bulldogs and Storm clash will start at 2.20pm.

There is a fierce rivalry between these clubs who have met in many finals.

Gisborne on-ballers Braidon Blake, Brad Bernacki, Dylan Johnstone and Jacob  Murphy were outplayed by the Bloods, especially in the final quarter.

A talented Bulldogs’ squad coached by Rob Waters includes captain Jack Reaper, Jed Denany and Zach Vescovi in defrence, Thomas Werner in midfield, Harry Luxmoore, Matt Merrett and Boyd Nalder in attack.

A preliminary finalist in ’24, Strathfieldsaye has had a gruelling start.

The Luke Freeman-coached Storm took on South Bendigo in round one and then met reigning premier Sandhurst in the Good Friday match at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye.

Best in Storm’s latest hit-out were Jye Formosa, Ben Lester, Pat Blake, Riley Wilson, Bode Stevens and Riley Mulquiny.

Storm’s squad includes Mitch Hallinan, Sam Heavyside, Cooper Jones, Hunter Lawrence and Lahclan Ratcliffe.

Another big match will be at Golden Square’s Wade Street ground where the Bulldogs take on Sandhurst.

The Brad Eaton-coached Golden Square has met Eaglehawk, home, and Castlemaine, away, so far.

The Bulldogs were held to a tally of three goals at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

Key players for the blue and gold include Jon Coe  and Zack Shelton in defence, Jordan Rosengren, Terence Reeves, Tom Strauch and captain Jayden Burke.

It’s another big test for the many talented youngsters in Golden Square’s line-up.

Sandhurst has made an impressive start in its quest for back-to-back premierships.

Bryce Curnow, non-playing, and Lachlan Tardrew, playing, have teamed up as the Dragons’ coaches.

A broken leg to Ron Best medallist and co-captain Fergus Greene is a huge blow for the club.

At Strathfieldsdaye it was Hugh Schmetzer, Cobi Maxted and Tom Campbell who led Sandhurst’s attack.

The Dragons’ squad includes Seb Collins, Caleb Connick, Liam Ireland, Tanner Nally, captain Cooper Smith, Nick Stagg and Lachlan Wright.

Kangaroo Flat will be back on its ground at Dower Park to take on Castlemaine.

The young Kangaroos who are being coached by Tyrone Downie were outgunned by Eaglehawk in the Good Friday match at Canterbury Park.

Best for the Roos in that match were Pat Murphy, Jay Newman, Luke Stagg, Angus Macpherson, Kyle Symons and Ethan Roberts.

The Roos’ squad includes Xavier Dingfelder-Hope, Jake Hywood, Nick Lang, Josh Leersen, Sam Pitson and Toby Roberts.

Castlemaine will aim to build on the momentum gained from finally breaking its hoodoo against Golden Square.

Best for the Michael Hartley-coached Magpies in their first win of the season were Hunter Staples, Liam Wilkinson, defender Brodie Byrne and Ryan Eyre.

The Magpies’ squad includes ruckman Patrick Balta, Matt Filo, Callum McConachy, Will Moran, Darby Semmens and John Watson.

Castlemaine captain Bailey Henderson will be on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder last round.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Eaglehawk 395 per cent, 8 points; Sandhurst 205, 8; South Bendigo 118, 8; Gisborne 189, 4; Castlemaine 96, 4; Strathfieldsaye 71, 0; Golden Square 40, 0; Kangaroo Flat 18, 0.

Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:

8 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.

7 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.

7 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.

6 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.

6 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.

5 Seb Bell-Bartels, Gisborne.

5 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.

5 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.

5 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.

5 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.

4 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.

4 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.

4 James Gray, Gisborne.

4 Fergus Greene, Sandhurst.

3 Sam Dean, Eaglehawk.

3 Jack Fallon, South Bendigo.

3 Matt Filo, Castlemaine.

3 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.

3 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.

3 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.

3 Jack McMahon, Golden Square.

3 Charlie Robinson, Sandhurst.

3 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.

3 Jack Thompson, Eaglehawk.