Big clashes at Square, Borough

THERE’S plenty at stake in Saturday’s senior footy matches at Eaglehawk and Golden Square as the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL marks the 12th round.

Eaglehawk will be on home turf at Canterbury Park to take on Strathfieldsaye.

The Hawks start the round in fourth place on a win-loss tally of five-four.

Victory against the third-placed Storm, eight-two, would strengthen the Hawks position on the ladder.

It’s been an extended break for the Hawks who had the bye after a round 10 defeat at Golden Square.

When the Hawks and Storm met in round three it was Strathfieldsaye which won by nine points.

Key players for the Two Blues include Billy Evans, Joel Mullen, Bailey Ilsley and Clayton Holmes.

A crucial match-up will be against Storm’s in-form forward James Schischka.

The task could go to Charlie Langford or to Oscar Madden.

Storm’s attack includes Caleb Ernst and Malik Gordon.

There’s plenty of run and skill through Strathfieldsaye’s midfield as Dylan Clohesy, Lachlan Gill, Cooper Jones and Matt Harvey lead the way.

At Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in Wade Street it’s fifth against sixth as the Bulldogs take on a resurgent Castlemaine.

The Bulldogs are on a five-five record and five per cent clear of the Magpies.

Just two goals separated these clubs when they met at Camp Reserve earlier in the season.

Bulldogs’ on-baller Ricky Monti was Bendigo’s best in last Saturday’s inter-league showdown with the Victorian Amateurs at Brighton.

The play of Monti, Jordan Rosengren, Tom Strauch, captain Jayden Burke and Jon Coe will test Castlemaine all match.

Injury meant Castlemaine coach Michael Hartley could not play in the inter-league contest.

Hartley is a vital cog in the Magpies’ attack.

Players to watch for the ‘Maine include Ryan Eyre, captain Bailey Henderson, Zavier Murley, Callum McConachy and Liam Wilkinson.

Maryborough will be on home turf at Princes Park to take on Gisborne which ended Sandhurst’s unbeaten run last round.

South Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat clash at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Roos beat the Bloods by 27 points in round three at Dower Park.

Sandhurst has the bye.