ROUND 8 NETBALL PREVIEW
BY NATHAN DOLE
Bulldogs striving to end Kangaroos streak
GISBORNE will be striving to end Kangaroo Flat’s unbeaten streak in Saturday’s eighth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
It’s a rematch of the ’24 grand finalists on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve.
Runner-up last September, Kangaroo Flat bounced out of the blocks in this season’s opening round.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos thrashed Gisborne in the grand final rematch by 46 goals.
As the Roos racked up 64 goals they kept the Bulldogs to a tally of 18 goals at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
It’s been an incredible run by the Flat which has won by margins of 46, 53, 10, 51, 55 and 64 goals.
Highest score was 83 goals against South Bendigo in the seventh round at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.
Lowest goals tally for the Roos stands at 64 in round one against Gisborne, and in round four against Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It’s a massive challenge for the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne in trying to curb the impact of Flat’s mid-court and goalers.
Stung by the 46-goal loss in round one, Gisborne struck back to beat South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye by 16 and 28 goals at Gardiner Reserve.
A 16-goal win on Eaglehawk’s court at Canterbury Park was followed by an 18-goal loss to Sandhurst on the QEO court in round six.
Latest hit-out for the red, white and blue ended in a 19-goal win against Golden Square in Gisborne.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane where Storm takes on South Bendigo.
The Storm and Bloods are seventh and fifth in league standings.
Although it has just one victory so far, Strathfieldsaye starts this round just two points behind the fifth-placed South Bendigo.
The Jess Mangan-coached Storm has had an extended break.
A 55-goal loss at Kangaroo Flat in round six on May 24 was followed by a rest as Storm was drawn to play Castlemaine which is not fielding an A-grade team.
The league then had a rest on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Massive test for Storm in being able to pressure South Bendigo in every quarter.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Bloods beat Storm by 15 goals in the first round at Harry Trott Oval.
Eaglehawk will be on its court at Canterbury Park against Golden Square.
A record of two wins, a draw and three defeats has the Jannelle Hobbs-coached Eaglehawk in fourth place.
In round one the Hawks soared to a 60-43 victory on Golden Square’s court.
The Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square upset South Bendigo by five goals in the sixth round.
Although the Two Blues start favourite at home the blue and gold will be confident of marking its second win of the season.
It’s a break for Sandhurst in A-grade, but the Dragons will play in all other grades on Castlemaine’s court at Camp Reserve.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 281 per cent, 24 points; Sandhurst 166, 20; Gisborne 106, 16; Eaglehawk 77, 10; South Bendigo 67, 6; Golden Square 63, 4; Strathfieldsaye 59, 4.
Bendigo FNL netball ladders after seven rounds:
A-reserve:
Gisborne 160 per cent, 26 points; Kangaroo Flat 151, 24; Sandhurst 147, 22; Strathfieldsaye 98, 16; South Bendigo 99, 12; Eaglehawk 77, 8; Castlemaine 62, 4; Golden Square 61, 0.
B-grade:
Gisborne 234 per cent, 28 points; Kangaroo Flat 126, 24; South Bendigo 109, 20; Sandhurst 121, 16; Strathfieldsaye 109, 12; Eaglehawk 73, 8; Golden Square 71, 4; Castlemaine 43, 0.
B-reserve:
Gisborne 208 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 162, 24; Strathfieldsaye 135, 20; Kangaroo Flat 150, 16; South Bendigo 112, 12; Eaglehawk 68, 8; Golden Square 82, 4; Castlemaine 18, 0.
17-and-under:
Sandhurst 197 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 223, 24; Strathfieldsaye 170, 20; Gisborne 115, 16; Kangaroo Flat 73, 10; Castlemaine 66, 8; Eaglehawk 62, 6; South Bendigo 34, 0.
