Crucial matches for many Bendigo clubs

THIS Saturday’s eleventh round of senior footy features matches crucial for finals prospects of several Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball clubs as another two chase a long-awaited victory.

Match of the day status could go to any of four contests.

A big game will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval where South Bendigo takes on Eaglehawk.

Both are sixth and seventh and in a fight with Sandhurst which jumped to the fifth rung after it stunned the previously unbeaten Gisborne in the 10th round.

Eaglehawk and South Bendigo met in round two on Good Friday where the Borough beat the Bloods by 56 points at Canterbury Park.

After a one-point win at Castlemaine in round eight, Eaglehawk will be desperate to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.

The Bloods were again outplayed by long-time nemesis at Golden Square last round.

The Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo will be determined to strike back from a 97-point loss to the Bulldogs.

Strathfieldsaye faces a danger game against Sandhurst at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

Last time these two met the Storm won the Easter match against the Dragons by 26 points.

In round 10 the Ash Connick-coached Sandhurst outplayed and outran Gisborne in the second half to win by 37 points.

The Gisborne Bulldogs return to Gardiner Reserve to take on Kyneton.

Margin in round two at the Kyneton Showgrounds was 89 points in Gisborne’s favour.

The Tigers are on a six-game winning streak and have the likes of Rhys Magin, Guy Dickson, James Gaff, Harrison Huntley and Louis Thompson in top form.

The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne has dominated most games on home turf this season, but will be wary of what the yellow and black can produce.

It’s magpie on magpie as Castlemaine is at home at Camp Reserve to Maryborough.

The winless Maryborough will be keen to grasp an opportunity to break the duck.

Key players for the Rick Andrews-coached Maryborough include Aidan Hare, Kya Lanfranchi, Liam Latch, Thomas Gardam and captain Coby Perry.

The round two clash between the clubs ended in a 136-86 victory for the Don Moran-coached Castlemaine, as Jack Chester kicked seven goals and Callum McConachy, Tommy Horne, Brendan Josey and Bailey Henderson were best.

Kangaroo Flat is back at Dower Park to take on Golden Square.

It’s a daunting task for the James Flaherty-coached Roos against the Christian Carter’s Bulldogs who have plenty of skill in midfield, goalscoring power and are in red-hot form.