ROUND 5 FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Wright Memorial Cup up for grabs
BY NATHAN DOLE
THE Graeme Wright Memorial Cup will be up for grabs as South Bendigo takes on Sandhurst in Saturday’s start to the split fifth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
It’s a big day for both clubs, especially South Bendigo as it honours a legendary defender and clubman at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.
The Bloods will be trying to prise the Cup from the Dragons’ grasp when the contest begins at 2.20pm.
The Graeme Wright Memorial Cup was first played for in 1998 and continues the family’s long and successful stint with South Bendigo which stretches back more than four decades.
On field the Bloods will be determined to end the unbeaten run of the reigning premier.
Stung by a 37-point loss to Eaglehawk on Anzac Day at Queen Elizabeth Oval, South Bendigo struck back to score a 56-point win at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve last Saturday.
Small forwards Kaiden Antonowicz and Brock Harvey combined to boot seven and five goals respectively and will be a huge test for the Sandhurst defence.
A much shorter and narrower ground than what it’s used to at the QEO will be another challenge for the Dragons line-up.
In the on-ball duels South Bendigo has Callum Crisp, Joel Swatton, Anthony Zimmerman and Brody Haddow up against Seb Collins, Lachlan Tardrew, Cooper Smith and James Coghlan.
In attack the Bloods have Will Allen and Luke Darling as key targets.
Big roles will be played in South Bendigo’s defence by Andrew van Heumen, captain Zac Hare and Hayden Geddes against a strong Dragons’ attack that includes Hugh Schmetzer, Cobi Maxted and Tom Campbell.
South Bendigo has the running power and skill of Thomas Brereton and co-coach Jack Fallon from half-back or a wing.
In his return to coaching in the Bendigo FNL after a successful stint with Kerang, non-playing coach Troy Coates has the Bloods on a three-one record and in fourth place.
Although he had called an end to his playing days after last September’s grand final, Bryce Curnow is back on field and co-coach of Sandhurst with Michelsen medallist Lachlan Tardrew.
Players to watch for the Dragons include Nick Stagg, Lachlan Wright and Matt Wilkinson.
The George Symons medallist as as fairest and best in last season’s Bendigo FNL under-18s competition, Jack English is another of the Dragons’ young guns.
Saturday’s other match will be at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve where the Bulldogs take on Castlemaine.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne overcame injuries in a hard-fought 11-point win at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park last Saturday.
There were two forced changes to Gisborne’s winning line-up as gun ruckman Braidon Blake, concussion, and midfielder Patrick Trotta, broken wrist, will be on the sidelines.
This round it’s Boyd Nalder who makes his way into the Bulldogs team to be number one ruckman.
Nalder will join forces with Shane Clough, Dylan Johnstone and Brad Bernacki at the centre ball-ups.
Brilliant forward Pat McKenna kicked five goals in Gisborne’s latest victory and is a key target in an attack that includes Matt Merrett, Harry Luxmoore and Campbell Johns.
It will be a big day for Jed and Zac Denahy as they take on their former club.
Castlemaine will be smarting after a nine-goal loss to South Bendigo on home turf.
Key players for the Magpies include coach Michael Hartley, Will Marks and Ronald Fejo in attack, Liam Wilkinson, Brodie Byrne and Darby Semmens in defence.
Huge challenge for ruckman Josh Eyre and on-ballers Zavier Murley, Kalan Huntly and Callum McConachy as they try to inflict Gisborne’s second defeat at home this season.
Round five will be completed on May 17 when Kangaroo Flat tackles Golden Square on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park, and Eaglehawk hosts Strathfieldsaye in the clash of the Hawks and Storm at Canterbury Park.
Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:
Sandhurst 277 per cent, 16 points; Eaglehawk 206, 12; Gisborne 150, 12; South Bendigo 116, 12; Castlemaine 88, 8; Strathfieldsaye 86, 4; Golden Square 50, 0; Kangaroo Flat 25, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race for the Ron Best Medal:
15 Kaiden Antonowicz, South Bendigo.
11 Tom Campbell, Sandhurst.
11 Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk.
10 Brock Harvey, South Bendigo.
10 Hugh Schmetzer, Sandhurst.
9 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
9 Jonty Neaves, Eaglehawk.
8 Michael Hartley, Castlemaine.
8 Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne.
8 Thomas Werner, Gisborne.
7 Pat McKenna, Gisborne.
7 Matt Wilkinson, Sandhurst.
6 Billy Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 Tyh Evans, Eaglehawk.
6 James Gray, Gisborne.
6 Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne.
6 Cobi Maxted, Sandhurst.
6 Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye.
6 Ben Thompson, Eaglehawk.
5 Jack Fallon, South Bendigo.
