ROUND 3 NETBALL PREVIEW | Bulldogs keen to mark home-court wins
BY NATHAN DOLE
GISBORNE and Golden Square will be keen to mark home-court victories in Saturday’s finale to round three in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball competition.
After banking a 16-goal win against South Bendigo in last Saturday’s play at home, Gisborne is back on its court at Gardiner Reserve to play Strathfieldsaye.
The red, white and blue bounced back from 28-goal loss in the season opener on Kangaroo Flat’s court at Dower Park.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne will start favourite against a Storm line-up which has faced South Bendigo and Sandhurst in the opening two rounds.
Gisborne’s squad includes Charlee Kemp, Sheridan Townrow, Tori Skrijel and gun defender Zoe Davies.
It’s another big test for the Jess Mangan-coached Storm against the premier of the past two seasons.
Strathfieldsaye’s squad includes Brooke Mangan, Claire Gibbs, Paynton Jolliffe, Rachelle Mangan, Siarne Cass and Steph Freemantle.
The A-grade match between Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye starts at 2.30pm.
Golden Square renews its rivalry with Sandhurst on the Bulldogs’ court in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Massive challenge for a young Golden Square team which is coached by Teigan Redwood.
Key players in the Golden Square squad include Daisy Stringer, Holly Swatton and Mia McCrann-Peters.
It’s been a tough start to ’25 for the Bulldogs who met Eaglehawk in round one and then had a bye in A-grade last round because Castlemaine is not fielding a team in the top flight.
Stung by missing last year’s grand final, Sandhurst has started this season in fine style.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won last Saturday’s match on Strathfieldsaye’s court in Triple M Park by 37 goals.
As impressive as the Dragons’ attacking play was to net 60 goals, Gilchrist would have been rapt with the defensive intensity to hold Storm to a tally of 23 goals.
Players to watch for Sandhurst include Heather Oliver, Meg Williams, Bec Smith, Sophie Shoebridge and Kelsey Meade.
The A-grade match between the blue and gold against the maroon and blue starts at 3.20pm.
It’s a bye for the ladder-leading Kangaroo Flat in A-grade, but the Roos take on Castlemaine in all other grades.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 252 per cent, 8 points; Sandhurst 260, 4; South Bendigo 98, 4; Gisborne 87, 4; Eaglehawk 71, 4; Golden Square 71, 0; Strathfieldsaye 56, 0.
League ladders after two rounds:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 208 per cent, 8 points; Gisborne 132, 8; Kangaroo Flat 108, 4; Eaglehawk 100, 4; Castlemaine 77, 4; Strathfieldsaye 74, 4; South Bendigo 85, 0; Golden Square 66, 0.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 179 per cent, 8 points; Gisborne 170, 8; Golden Square 110, 4; Kangaroo Flat 103, 4; Eaglehawk 90, 4; South Bendigo 76, 4; Strathfieldsaye 76, 0; Castlemaine 52, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 364 per cent, 8 points; Gisborne 128, 8; Golden Square 158, 4; Kangaroo Flat 138, 4; Strathfieldsaye 104, 4; Eaglehawk 70, 4; South Bendigo 68, 0; Castlemaine 13, 0.
17-and-under:
Golden Square 381 per cent, 8 points; Gisborne 204, 8; Sandhurst 183, 8; Strathfieldsaye 212, 4; Kangaroo Flat 74, 2; Eaglehawk 53, 2; Castlemaine 28, 0; South Bendigo 26, 0.
