Some of state’s best in action

SOME of Victoria’s best field and track exponents will compete at Athletics Bendigo Region’s ninth round of Athletics Victoria Shield League this Saturday night.

It’s another big round at the Retreat Road complex in Flora Hill.

Athletes will compete under lights from 6pm in the final tune-up to the Victoria Country titles being run in Ballarat on 26 to 28 January.

Among those in top form include South Bendigo’s shot put stars Emma Berg, Kai Norton and Jasper Seymour.

The Bloods also have pole vault ace Rhys Hansen, and in-form veterans Carol Coad and Joan Self.

A strong squad for Eaglehawk includes Alyssa and William Beaton, Daniel and Dave Chisholm and Jorja Morrison.

The Harriers’ line-up includes Neil Shaw, Connor Clarke, Hailey Stubbs and Jake Gavriliadis.

University’s squad for the latest round was Mike Bieleny, Nathan Crowley, Mitch Fitzgerald and Abbey Reid.

Eaglehawk and South Bendigo still hold top spot on the premier and division two ladders.

The Hawks’ lead was reduced by a point after Diamond Valley won last Saturday’s round.

South Bendigo was fourth last Saturday behind Nunawading, Chilwell and Mornington.

The Bloods have racked up 65 points to lead the title race from Chilwell’s 60, Nunawading on 56, and Keilor St Bernards on 54.

Bendigo Harriers was sixth in the latest round and is still in the relegation zone on 22 points.

In division five it’s Old Scotch which leads on 107 points from Whittlesea with 87, South Coast on 78 and and Bendigo University at 73.

Top three earn promotion for next season.

Disciplines to be run at Flora Hill this Saturday are sprint hurdles, 1500 or 3000-metre walk, 100, 1500, and 400-metre sprints.

There will be a non-scoring 4 x 200-metre relay, and 3000-metre run.

Various flights of shot put, javelin and triple jump will be contest, as well as pole vault.