Bloods buzzing ahead of finals

SOUTH Bendigo coach Lauren Bowles has hailed her A-grade side’s BFNL elimination final clash against Eaglehawk this Sunday as part of a wider more exciting picture at Harry Trott Oval.

For the first time in a long time – likely ever – the Bloods will have all five netball teams participating in finals, as well as all three football sides.

It has fuelled an amazing buzz around the club in what has been an exciting first year under new leaders Bowles (netball) and Troy Coates and Jack Fallon (football).

An A-grade finals appearance will be South Bendigo’s first since their 2023 elimination final loss to Castlemaine and ticks off one of the key goals set by Bowles upon her arrival at South Bendigo from Heathcote District league powerhouse White Hills.

Back in the BFNL for the first time since 2016, Bowles – who will play in Sunday’s A-reserve elimination final between the Bloods and Strathfieldsaye – can’t help but be excited by what awaits South Bendigo this weekend.

“There’s a real buzz around the club and it’s really exciting,” she said.

“Everyone’s excited. There’s a really great atmosphere around the club, as everyone is still training.

“It’s what I was used to at White Hills, the excitement being shared by everyone at the club.

“It feels quite similar and I for one feel quite relaxed going into the weekend.”

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, the Bloods are bracing for a tough challenge from Eaglehawk, under the guidance of dual BFNL premiership coach Jannelle Hobbs.

Little has separated the teams this season, with the Bloods and Hawks playing out a draw in the rain on Anzac day, and South Bendigo winning at home in round 10 by five goals.

Bowles said the Bloods would go into the clash at the QEO with confidence, but still with plenty of scope for improvement.

“There are still some things that we continue to do wrong every week and we struggle with that possession game,” she said.

“Our execution too has been inconsistent.

“But we have set ourselves for a very good finals series.

“It was one goal to make finals, but we’re not content with that.

“We’re pretty keen to go deep and go as far as we can.

“But I’m sure Jannelle will be doing her homework. There really is nothing much between the two teams. We match up really well.”

A likely wildcard for the Bloods will be goal attack Bridgette Furphy, who did not play in either of the home and away matches against the Hawks.

“She just makes a real difference to our attack end,” said Bowles of the Bendigo Strikers-listed player.

“Bridgette is so calm and her feeds into Gabe (Richards) are beautiful.

“That will add a different dynamic for Eaglehawk to counter.

“We are just so lucky to have her.”

Despite being well beaten by premiership favourites Kangaroo Flat in a 94-50 defeat last Saturday, the Bloods can take plenty heart in the fact their score would have been more than competitive, or even a winning one, most weeks in the BFNL.

They will regain two key pieces in their midcourt, after Andrea Wilson and Kyla Byrne both missed last week’s match with niggles.

Eaglehawk is coming off a bye but was beaten 94-28 by Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park in round 15.

Meanwhile, Gisborne dual premiership coach Tarryn Rymer is backing her side to rebound after coming up short against Sandhurst for the third time this season last week at the QEO.

In a repeat of their round 16 clash, the Dragons and Bulldogs will go head-to-head in this Saturday’s qualifying final, with the winner to advance to a second semi-final showdown against undefeated Kangaroo Flat the following weekend.

The winner of that clash will be grand final bound.

Rymer said the Bulldogs certainly had their chances in last Saturday’s four-goal loss, but had failed to capitalise, particularly early, when they lead 5-0 on the back of a blistering start.

“Consistency is the key for us. We played patches of good netball, but patches don’t get you a win,” she said.

“We were great out of the blocks, scoring the first five goals, but we just stopped winning ball and let Sandhurst have their way.

“It wasn’t our best game, but it’s better to get it out of the way now.

“It was a nice little reality check.”

Round 16 recap: Sandhurst 48 defeated Gisborne 44; Strathfieldsaye 67 defeated Golden Square 46; Kangaroo Flat 94 defeated South Bendigo 50.

Week one finals tips: Sandhurst, South Bendigo.