ROUND 9 NETBALL PREVIEW | Bloods ready for test against reigning champs

Bloods ready for test against reigning champs

SOUTH Bendigo will be ready for another testing hit-out against reigning A-grade premier Gisborne in Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Bloods and Bulldogs will play on South Bendigo’s court at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington’s Neale Street.

When these teams met in round two it was Gisborne which won 51-35 at Gardiner Reserve.

The Lauren Bowles-coached South Bendigo netted its second victory of the season in last Saturday’s match against Strathfieldsaye at Triple M Park.

The Bloods moved to 2 ½ wins following the 59-49 victory in Storm territory.

It was South Bendigo’s first triumph since a drawn match against Eaglehawk on Anzac Day at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Gisborne is on the rebound from its second loss to Kangaroo Flat this season.

An eight-goal margin at home was a dramatic improvement of when the Roos dominated the season opener on their court in Dower Park.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has won four matches and holds third place in a premiership race led by Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst.

This round it’s Eaglehawk which faces Kangaroo Flat.

Massive test for the Two Blues on the Kangaroos’ court and against a team which won by 53 goals when they met in round two.

Eaglehawk coach Jannelle Hobbs was a multiple premiership-winning coach at Kangaroo Flat and returns to a venue she knows well.

The ability of the Two Blues to maintain a high level of pressure and capitalise on scoring chances will be crucial against a red-hot Kangaroos team.

The Hawks and Kangaroos both won last round.

As Eaglehawk netted a 14-goal win at home against Golden Square the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos took the points on Gisborne’s court.

Refreshed by a rest as Castlemaine is not fielding an A-grade team, Sandhurst will be back at Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on Strathfieldsaye.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst won on Storm’s court by 37 goals in round two.

Huge task for the Jess Mangan-coached Strathfieldsaye against one of the league’s long-time powers.

There will be plenty of interest in two other matches leading into the A-grade match between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.

Second in B-reserve, Sandhurst takes on a Strathfieldsaye team which is third and just a win behind the maroon and blue.

The ladder-leading Sandhurst meets the third-placed Storm in the 17-and-under competition.

It’s a rest for the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square in A-grade, but the blue and gold will play Castlemaine in all other grades at Wade Street in Golden Square.

In A-reserve, Golden Square will be fighting to end its winless streak.

Castlemaine’s sole win of the season was a 49-34 victory against the Bulldogs in round two at Camp Reserve.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kangaroo Flat 225 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 166, 20; Gisborne 108, 16; Eaglehawk 84, 14; South Bendigo 73, 10; Golden Square 64, 4; Strathfieldsaye 62, 4.

Bendigo FNL netball ladders after eight rounds:

A-reserve:

Kangaroo Flat 142 per cent, 28 points; Sandhurst 152, 26; Gisborne 143, 26; South Bendigo 102, 16; Strathfieldsaye 95, 16; Eaglehawk 88, 12; Castlemaine 60, 4; Golden Square 63, 0.

B-grade:

Gisborne 220 per cent, 32 points; Kangaroo Flat 116, 24; Sandhurst 130, 20; South Bendigo 105, 20; Strathfieldsaye 110, 16; Golden Square 76, 8; Eaglehawk 74, 8; Castlemaine 44, 0.

B-reserve:

Gisborne 203 per cent, 32 points; Sandhurst 184, 28; Strathfieldsaye 138, 24; Kangaroo Flat 133, 16; South Bendigo 104, 12; Golden Square 86, 8; Eaglehawk 70, 8; Castlemaine 18, 0.

17-and-under:

Sandhurst 190 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 218, 28; Strathfieldsaye 181, 24; Gisborne 123, 20; Kangaroo Flat 70, 10; Castlemaine 66, 8; Eaglehawk 61, 6; South Bendigo 35, 0.