Important fifth win beckons for Storm

Updated November 7 2012 - 2:24am, first published July 9 2010 - 11:14am

STRATHFIELDSAYE will enter its Bendigo Football League game against Castlemaine at Tannery Lane today as favourites.And should the Storm defeat the Magpies, it will register its fifth victory of the season.That in itself can ensure 2010 is looked upon as a success as the Storm would have surpassed the four games it won in its debut season last year.“That (five wins) is one of the main things we aimed for this season, to be able to do better than last year,’’ Storm coach Clint Whitsed said yesterday.“Getting that fifth win would be a hurdle for us to overcome as it will show this team has raised the bar on last year and from there, it’s just a matter of how much further can we go?“But we know Castlemaine is going to be tough to beat. They have been kicking goals against some of those better sides, so we know it will be a tough match.’’The Strathfieldsaye side today includes Lachlan Bonney for his senior debut.Bonney is the leading goalkicker in the under-18s with 44.Bonney comes in for Cameron Wood, who has suffered a fractured collarbone.“It’s a great opportunity for Lachie to come in and have a crack and see what it’s like at senior level,’’ Whitsed said.“He’s certainly one of the guys we’re looking at next year to play regular senior footy for us.’’While Strathfieldsaye has made one change from the side that defeated Maryborough by 18 points last week, the winless Castlemaine has made six.Among the inclusions are the return of ruckman Guy Marshall from injury, while two of the Magpies’ leaders in captain James O’Brien and Chris Jardine are both unavailable.n South Bendigo will be out to extend its winning streak to 12 games today when it takes on Kangaroo Flat at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.The Bloods destroyed the Roos in round four by 105 points at Dower Park, having already been 101 points up at half-time.Reflecting back on that dismal performance on Anzac Day, Roos coach Murray Collins sums it up in one word – embarrassing.“To be 100 points down at half-time was absolutely embarassing,’’ Collins said.“We were unaccountable and, really, just totally overwhelmed by South Bendigo that night.“We know South Bendigo won’t back off on the pressure, so how we handle the ball is going to be the big thing for us.’’One of the Roos’ most consistent performers this season, Shannon Geary will miss today after pulling up tight in the hamstring after last week’s win over Kyneton.“We just didn’t want to risk Shannon on the QEO,’’ Collins said.Last week’s 51-point victory over the Tigers improved the Roos’ record to 6-6 and they are now just percentage behind the fifth-placed Maryborough.In his first senior game for the season, Roos captain Tyrone Downie kicked three goals in the win over the Tigers in just 40 minutes of time on the ground.n At Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk will host Maryborough in what is a battle of third versus fifth.

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