Bloods and Dragons to do battle

STAKES are always high when QEO co-tenants South Bendigo and Sandhurst do battle in the Bendigo Bank Football League’s senior action.

There’s added pressure in the Anzac round game this Saturday as both clubs strive to break their season duck.

It’s been a disappointing start for South Bendigo which has battled to kick goals, but also conceded plenty in losses to Golden Square and Eaglehawk.

The Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods need many more players to lift their intensity and work rate, not just for a quarter or two, but the whole match.

Sandhurst is also winless, but gained a lot of merit from hit-outs at Gisborne and then against Strathfieldsaye.

A 0-3 start is what both teams will be hellbent on avoiding.

Kangaroo Flat is on home turf at Dower Park to take on Eaglehawk.

The Roos’ round one victory was followed by a thumping loss at Golden Square on Easter Saturday.

Players to watch for the Roos include Mitch Rovers, Liam Collins, Nic Lang, Mitch Trewhella and Hakeem Johnson.

Eaglehawk was in top form on Good Friday as Darcy Richards kicked six goals against the Bloods and Noah Wheeler, Joel Mullen, Kobe Lloyd and Oscar Madden won plenty of the footy.

Strathfieldsaye and Kyneton clash at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

The Storm having shown plenty of fight in their two victories and Lachlan Sharp and James Schischka have lead their attack.

The Paul Chapman-coached Tigers put in a superb first quarter under lights against Gisborne, but were overpowered across the next three quarters.

Rhys Magin has kicked eight goals for the Tigers and will test Storm, along with Cameron Manuel and Guy Dickson.

Golden Square will be eyeing another big win against Maryborough at Fur Life Oval.

Their powerful line-up includes Jack Geary, Joel Brett, Jayden Burke, Hamish Morcom and Jake Thrum.

The Rick Andrews-coached Borough is on the rebound from defeat to Castlemaine.

After a long-awaited victory Castlemaine make the trek to Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

Callum McConachy, Bailey Henderson, Tommy Horne and Brendan Josey led the way for the league’s other Magpies, Castlemaine will be confident of a much stronger showing this time.

It’s a daunting task for their line-up in trying to stop the impact Gisborne forwards Pat McKenna and Josh Kemp have on the contest.

Brad Bernacki, Sam Graham, Flynn Lakey and Jack Scanlon are other key players in Gisborne’s line-up.