Great rivals clash on Square’s oval

ALTHOUGH the rivalry is just fifteen seasons old, Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye have played many great matches in Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy history.

Now the Bulldogs and Storm will meet in this Saturday’s 11th round at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street and the league is back in action after last weekend’s general bye.

When Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye clashed in round two it was the Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs who won by seven points on Storm’s ground at Triple M Park.

There is sure to be plenty of spice in another crucial contest between second and third.

An eight and two run by Square included back-to-back losses in rounds three and four.

Storm battled illness and injury to many players in a two and three start to the season, but is now on a five match winning run.

The Dogs and Storm are packed with plenty of attacking options, so midfield duels will be crucial.

Golden Square has Joel Brett and Braydon Vaz as key targets, while Storm skipper Lachlan Sharp and James Schischka are in great form.

Another important match on Saturday will be at Queen Elizabeth Oval where Sandhurst takes on Kyneton.

The Dragons have marked nine wins and a draw to be six points ahead of Square on top of the ladder.

The Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton is sixth, but a win and more than 50 per cent behind South Bendigo and an upset victory would lift the Tigers’ charge to claiming a finals berth.

South Bendigo will start favourite against Kangaroo Flat at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval where the Bloods are on the rebound from a 56-point loss at Eaglehawk.

It’s been a dramatic time at Kangaroo Flat since the loss to Sandhurst on 24 June.

Then-Roos’ coach Nathan Johns was reported for threatening and abusive language toward an umpire, and making contact with an umpire after the match.

Johns was handed a four-match suspension by the BFNL independent tribunal and had his contract terminated by the club.

Assistant coach Jeremy Hayes is Kangaroo Flat’s interim coach.

In other matches, Gisborne is at home to face Castlemaine, Maryborough plays Eaglehawk at Princes Park.