Bloods fight Dragons for Graeme Wright Cup

THE Graeme Wright Memorial Cup is up for grabs when South Bendigo plays Sandhurst in Saturday’s fifth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

It’s the first time the match is not being played at Queen Elizabeth Oval after the Bloods made Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval in Neale Street their new home.

The Bloods showed plenty of fight in a 76-75 victory on Golden Square’s turf last round.

Among the many key duels in Saturday’s contest will be in the ruck where Bloods’ recruit Mac Cameron is up against Hamish Hosking.

Bloods’ small forwards in Steven Stroobants, Brock Harvey and Will Keck have lots of pace, skill and goal-smarts.

At the other end of the ground, Sandhurst has the marking strength of Matt Thornton and Lachlan Wright.

Strathfieldsaye is on the rebound from defeat when it plays the ladder leading Eaglehawk on Storm’s ground at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

The Darryl Wilson-coached Storm was far from full-strength but put in a great effort to be within eight points of Sandhurst at the last change before the Dragons kicked away for a 79-49 victory.

The Hawks marked a big win at home against Castlemaine but know the pressure will be much higher.

A triple premiership player at Storm, Kallen Geary returns to Strathfieldsaye, but this time in the Hawks’ famous two blues guernsey.

Gisborne is at home at Gardiner Reserve to take on Kyneton with both teams scoring crucial wins last round.

Gisborne won at Kangaroo Flat by 52 points, while Kyneton broke its ‘duck’ in a 150 point-plus win against Maryborough.

A daunting run for Maryborough does not get easier.

The Magpies are at Princes Park to play a Golden Square team snarling after consecutive defeats.

Castlemaine and Kangaroo Flat clash at Camp Reserve.