Lots at stake for Bloods and Dragons

THERE’S always plenty of spice in a South Bendigo and Sandhurst footy clash.

The QEO co-tenants and long-time rivals have plenty to play for in this Saturday’s 12th round of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League season as play returns after a league-wide bye.

After a 22-point win against Eaglehawk in round 11 on the QEO, South Bendigo regained fifth place on the ladder as Sandhurst slipped after being beaten by 23 points on Strathfieldsaye’s ground at Triple M Park.

Win meant the Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods moved eight premiership points clear of Sandhurst.

When these clubs met in round three it was South Bendigo which regained the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup after a 94-86 victory.

Key players for the Bloods include captain Zac Hare, Michael Herlihy and Isaiah Miller.

Best for the Ash Connick-coached Dragons against Storm were Tanner Nally, Isaac Ruff, Matt Thornton and Lee Coghlan.

Another big match will be at Kyneton Showgrounds where the Tigers take on Strathfieldsaye.

Kyneton’s six-game winning streak was broken in a 59-point loss at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve last weekend.

Last time out the Storm beat Kyneton by 46 points, but will be wary of a team which has won at Tigerland against Golden Square and Sandhurst.

Held to a goal on Gisborne’s turf, Kyneton star Rhys Magin will be fired up for a big performance.

Other key players for the yellow and black include Frazer Driscoll, Harrison Huntley, James Gaff, Angus Nolte and Hamish Yunghanns.

The task will not be easy against a Storm line-up that includes Jake Hall, Harry Conway and Jye Formosa.

Eaglehawk will look to bounce back from defeat and keep the pressure on South Bendigo and Sandhurst with a win over Kangaroo Flat at Canterbury Park.

On 23 April the Hawks turned a 19-point lead at three quarter-time into a 49-point victory as Kobe Lloyd, Lewin Davis and Liam Marciano led the way against the James Flaherty-coached Kangaroo Flat.

It’s consecutive home games for Castlemaine at Camp Reserve as the Magpies take on Gisborne.

The Castlemaine will be aiming to be far more competitive than the previous clash with Gisborne in which was goalless on Good Friday at Gardiner Reserve.

Finally, Maryborough returns home to Princes Park to take on a rampaging Golden Square.

Strong defensive efforts and numbers at the contest will be keys for the Rick Andrews-coached Maryborough in limiting chances for an in-form Golden Square attack.