Storm’s surge keeps rolling

STRATHFIELDSAYE Storm’s resurgence in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s senior footy action shows no sign of slowing down.

After being two and three to start the season, Storm has struck back to now be on a five-game winning streak as clubs take a rest for this weekend’s general bye.

The Darryl Wilson-coached Strathfieldsaye kicked off the second half of the season by scoring a hard-fought 27-point victory against Gisborne.

In the rematch of last year’s grand finalists, it was Gisborne which unleashed a first-quarter blitz to lead 41-9 by quarter-time.

Storm cut the deficit to eight points by the main break and was within four points at the start of the final term.

Led by the play of Bode Stevens, James Schischka and Mitchell Hallinan it was Storm which scored 6.4 to 1.3 in the last to complete a 95-68 victory against a team which has changed markedly since last year’s grand final win.

Doubts about Storm’s credentials as a premiership challenger in 2023 were growing after consecutive home losses at Triple M Park in rounds four and five.

Strathfieldsaye was beaten in the showdown with Sandhurst by five goals, and a week later was on the end of a 13-goal drubbing from Eaglehawk.

There have been many keys behind Storm’s fightback, most notably the return of several stars who had battled illness or injury.

Captain and gun forward Lachlan Sharp has only played eight matches because of injury but has kicked 44 goals to be joint leader in the race for the Ron Best Medal.

The next month will be a great test for Storm, and after the break the side heads to Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

The Bulldogs marked a seven-point win at Strathfieldsaye in round two.

After a showdown with the blue and gold, Storm is at home to play Castlemaine.

Rounds 13 and 14 will be crucial in Strathfieldsaye’s bid to solidify a berth in the top three or possibly sliding down the ladder.

The side has has away games at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park on 22 July, and will be up against Sandhurst a week later at Queen Elizabeth Oval.