Grand final rematch highlights start of season

A REMATCH of last season’s division one grand finalists, Golden Square and South Bendigo highlights next Monday’s start to midweek pennant in the Bendigo region of Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls.

Golden Square has home-green advantage for the clash which starts at 9.30am in Wade Street.

The Bulldogs will be determined to start well after finishing runner-up to South Bendigo in the 2022-23 season.

It was an 18-shot triumph for South Bendigo against the blue and gold in the decider played at Eaglehawk Bowling Club.

In other division one matches on Monday, Bendigo East takes on Kangaroo Flat at the Magpies’ home in Lansell Street.

Eaglehawk and Bendigo clash in the Borough on Simpson’s Road, while Woodbury takes on Inglewood.

Round one of Saturday pennant will be played on 21 October.

It’s a new-look Premier division to be played this season.

An eight-team format meant Castlemaine and Marong drop down to Division 1.

Reigning champions in premier division, Bendigo face Moama in the opening round.

The Luke Hoskin-coached Bendigo capped a remarkable run in 2022-23 by winning the grand final clash with Bendigo East by a shot.

A rise from wooden spoon to premier in a season by Bendigo proved just about anything is possible.

Among the stars in Bendigo’s latest premiership victory was skipper Ian Ross who was inducted to the Basil Ashman Hall of Fame at Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year awards in 2018-19.

In terms of pursuit of back-to-back titles, Hoskin knows what it takes after being part of South Bendigo’s premiership hat-trick.

Although it has home-turf advantage for the first round, Bendigo will face a strong test from Moama which has Kevin Anderson in its squad.

Another big match to start the season will be at Kangaroo Flat where the Roos take on South Bendigo.

Key players include Paul Moller for the Roos and Brad Holland at South Bendigo.

A big year for Holland included being named Victoria’s best for the men’s team in the recently-run Test series against Western Australia.

Golden Square starts its campaign at home against Bendigo East.

The Jonathon Bush-led Golden Square will be keen to make a winning start.

The Magpies’ squad includes the skilful Aaron Tomkins.

Eaglehawk is at home to play Inglewood.

The Hawks’ line-up includes Simon Carter, while Robbie Day is in Inglewood’s squad.

Hundreds of bowlers will take to the greens as Saturday Pennant has seven other divisions.