GISBORNE v STRATHFIELDSAYE - 2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last time: Round 15, 2013: Strathfieldsaye 13.9 (87) d Gisborne 6.12 (48).
Since 2009: Gisborne 8; Strathfieldsaye 3.
Match of the round between the sides sitting second and third on the ladder.
The Storm are in ominous form with four wins in a row by an average of 108 points, while Gisborne is coming off its first loss when smashed by Sandhurst by 73 points.
ADAM BOURKE: Storm (20), LUKE WEST: Storm (36), NATHAN DOLE: Storm (9), KRISTEN ALEBAKIS: Storm (30), RICHARD JONES: Storm (20).
KANGAROO FLAT v KYNETON - 2.20pm Saturday at Kangaroo Flat.
Last time: Round 12, 2012: Kangaroo Flat 21.15 (141) d Kyneton 11.4 (70).
Since 1995: Kyneton 19; Kangaroo Flat 18.
Arguably the first big game of major significance between the two clubs since the 1996 grand final.
The Roos sit fifth with a 4-3 record, while the Tigers are one game behind in seventh. One of those “eight point” games.
ADAM BOURKE: Roos (2), LUKE WEST: Tigers (7), NATHAN DOLE: Roos (14), KRISTEN ALEBAKIS: Roos (10), RICHARD JONES: Roos (7).
CASTLEMAINE v SOUTH BENDIGO - 2.20pm Saturday at Camp Reserve.
Last time: Round 17, 2013: South Bendigo 12.11 (83) d Castlemaine 11.6 (72).
Since 1995: South Bendigo 30; Castlemaine 11.
Both the Magpies and Bloods have just one win.
The Magpies haven’t beaten South Bendigo since 2005. At home - where they lost to the Bloods by one point last year - have to be a strong chance of ending that nine-year hoodoo.
ADAM BOURKE: Bloods (22), LUKE WEST: Bloods (21), NATHAN DOLE: Bloods (20), KRISTEN ALEBAKIS: Bloods (16), RICHARD JONES: Bloods (15).
EAGLEHAWK v MARYBOROUGH - 2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.
Last time: Round 14, 2013: Eaglehawk 10.18 (78) d Maryborough 4.2 (26).
Since 1995: Eaglehawk 21; Maryborough 20.
The Hawks have lost their position in the top five on the back of consecutive defeats to Golden Square and Gisborne.
Maryborough still winless, but the Hawks learned the hard way last year not to underestimate the Magpies.
ADAM BOURKE: Hawks (25), LUKE WEST: Hawks (29), NATHAN DOLE: Hawks (32), KRISTEN ALEBAKIS: Hawks (27), RICHARD JONES: Hawks (39).
SANDHURST v GOLDEN SQUARE - 2.20pm Saturday at QEO.
Last time: Round 13, 2013: Sandhurst 7.9 (51) d Golden Square 4.17 (41).
Since 1995: Golden Square 26; Sandhurst 17.
What a game - it’s the five-time defending premiers Golden Square taking on the only undefeated team, Sandhurst, at the QEO.
Square has won their past two games to move into the five, but can they take it up to the confident Dragons?
ADAM BOURKE: Dragons (21), LUKE WEST: Dragons (24), NATHAN DOLE: Dragons (10), KRISTEN ALEBAKIS: Dragons (25), RICHARD JONES: Dragons (32).