EITHER Sandhurst or Golden Square will be first to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy grand final after they meet on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Dragons and Bulldogs renew a fierce rivalry in the second semi-final at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.<\/p>\n
A great run by Sandhurst to finish the home-and-away series included 16 wins and a draw with the sole defeat for the Dragons on Golden Square\u2019s turf in the 12th round.<\/p>\n
On that day the Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs won 96-72 at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.<\/p>\n
That victory was part of a 15-match winning streak by the blue and gold.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs kicked off the finals series by scoring a 26-point victory against Strathfieldsaye in last Saturday\u2019s qualifying final.<\/p>\n
Now the blue and gold will be aiming to outrun the Dragons on the wide expanses of the QEO.<\/p>\n
Players to watch for the Bulldogs include gun forward Joel Brett, on-ballers Ryan Hartley and Tom Toma, and rising stars Jack Hickman and Tom Strauch.<\/p>\n
A formidable Sandhurst team jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, has plenty of experience.<\/p>\n
The Dragons\u2019 line-up includes Sam Conforti, ruckman Hamish Hosking, James Coghlan, Andy Collins and Lachlan Wright.<\/p>\n
On Sunday it will be Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk fighting to stay in the premiership race when they contest the first semi.<\/p>\n
The Darryl Wilson-coached Storm is on the rebound from a qualifying final defeat where errors, whether under real or perceived pressure, cost Storm against the Dogs.<\/p>\n
The Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk beat South Bendigo for the third time this season.<\/p>\n
A tally of 34 scoring shots to 21 was a sign of the Borough\u2019s dominance in a 33-point victory against the Bloods in the elimination final.<\/p>\n
A highlight of the Hawks and Storm clash will be the on-ball duels where Connor Dalgleish, Billy Evans and Noah Wheeler take on Tim Hosking, Jake Moorhead and Callum McCarty.<\/p>\n
Storm\u2019s attack is brilliantly led by co-captain and multiple Ron Best medallist in Lachlan Sharp and James Schischka.<\/p>\n
The Hawks will look to Darcy Richards, Cam McGlashan, Jack O\u2019Shannessy and Lewin Davis to cap off attacking thrusts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EITHER Sandhurst or Golden Square will be first to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy grand final after they meet on Saturday. The Dragons and Bulldogs renew a fierce rivalry in the second semi-final at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm. A great run by Sandhurst to finish the home-and-away series included 16 wins and […]<\/p>\n