BENDIGO – ROUND 9

Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat, 2.20pm Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo – after being close, but not close enough against big guns Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square, can the Roos find another gear to topple the Dragons?

The Roos’ two losses so far have both been honorable home defeats to the Bulldogs (14 points) and Storm (16), showing they can compete with the best – but not yet beat them.

Saturday on the QEO presents another opportunity for the Roos to make a mark against a Dragons outfit that has not only beaten Kangaroo Flat nine times in a row by an average of 76 points, but is also coming off a stellar performance against Golden Square last week when it inflicted the Bulldogs’ first loss.

Last time: Sandhurst 18.17 (125) d Kangaroo Flat 5.9 (39).

Since 1995: Sandhurst 32; Kangaroo Flat 13.

Eaglehawk v Castlemaine, 2.20pm Saturday at Canterbury Park, Castlemaine – crunch game for two sides in the middle-tier bracket fighting for the last spot in the five.

The Magpies have won their past two games and are now chasing three in a row for the first time since 2009, while the club hasn’t beaten the Hawks since 2007, having since lost 16 in a row.

The Hawks have slipped two games outside the top five after last week’s loss to Kyneton and at home, can’t afford to drop this one if they harbour finals hopes.

Last time: Eaglehawk 18.11 (119) d Castlemaine 3.9 (27).

Since 1995: Eaglehawk 26; Castlemaine 18.

Gisborne v South Bendigo, 2.20pm Saturday at Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne – two teams with one win apiece, although, the Bulldogs are stiff not to have won two on the trot after falling five points short of Castlemaine last week.

Given the Bulldogs’ renewed confidence, the fact they are at home and the Bloods are coming off a short break from a Monday game against the Storm, Gisborne looks tough to beat.

Last time: Gisborne 9.16 (70) d South Bendigo 4.3 (27).

Since 2000: Gisborne 24; South Bendigo 12.

Maryborough v Golden Square, 2.20pm Saturday at Barkers Oval, Maryborough – at least the Magpies won’t need to worry about Corey Jones, who kicked 16 goals when these teams last met in what was a 238-point win for the Bulldogs.

Doubt the margin will be that big again, but it will still be a comfortable rebounding Bulldogs’ win.

Last time: Golden Square 40.20 (260) d Maryborough 3.4 (22).

Since 1995: Golden Square 28; Maryborough 16.

Strathfieldsaye v Kyneton, 2.20pm Sunday at Flight Centre Park, Strathfieldsaye – the Storm, who will wear their yellow Give Me 5 for Kids guernseys, are back in their familiar position at the top of the ladder after Monday’s 74-point win over South Bendigo.

For Kyneton, Sunday’s match presents somewhat of a final frontier. Since returning in 2014 from their year in recess, the Tigers, with wins over Sandhurst and Eaglehawk in the past month, have now beaten every team – except the Storm.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 22.20 (152) d Kyneton 11.3 (69).

Since 2009: Strathfieldsaye 11; Kyneton 1.

SELECTIONS:

Kieran Iles (37) - Golden Square (82), Eaglehawk (14), Gisborne (8), Sandhurst (27), Strathfieldsaye (52).

Luke West (34) - Golden Square (125), Eaglehawk (1), Gisborne (12), Sandhurst (30), Strathfieldsaye (36).

Adam Bourke (33) - Golden Square (84), Eaglehawk (10), South Bendigo (1), Sandhurst (26), Strathfieldsaye (30).

Richard Jones (33) - Golden Square (83), Eaglehawk (11), Gisborne (29), Sandhurst (22), Strathfieldsaye (37).

HEATHCOTE DISTRICT – ROUND 10

Colbinabbin v Leitchville-Gunbower, 2.15pm Saturday at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin – second blockbuster clash in a row for both sides.

The Bombers are the new top-of-the-ladder team after belting North Bendigo by 47 points last week to win their seventh game in a row.

The team they replaced at the top was Colbinabbin, which must regroup after a 52-point hiding from Huntly.

The Bombers’ red-hot form says they deserve to start favourites to avenge their round two loss to the Grasshoppers.

Last time: Colbinabbin 15.14 (104) d Leitchville-Gunbower 9.9 (63).

Since 2010: Colbinabbin 7; Leitchville-Gunbower 7.

LBU v Huntly, 2.15pm Saturday at Lockington Recreation Reserve – the Hawks have been on the end of plenty of hidings from the Cats over the years, nine by at least 100 points to be exact. On Saturday they will give the winless Cats back a bit of their own medicine.

Last time: Huntly 27.12 (174) d LBU 7.7 (49).

Since 2001: LBU 28; Huntly 5.

North Bendigo v Heathcote, 2.15pm Saturday at Superior Roofing Oval, North Bendigo – tough gig for the Saints, who off the back of losing their past three games by a combined 327 points now face North Bendigo at home on the rebound from a loss.

Since 2014 the Bulldogs have lost just seven of their 47 games, but bounced back the following week with wins by an average of 96 points. 

Fair to say the Bulldogs don’t take too kindly to being beaten.

Last time: North Bendigo 20.12 (132) d Heathcote 12.6 (78).

Since 1996: North Bendigo 27; Heathcote 18.

White Hills v Mount Pleasant, 2.15pm Saturday at Tint-a-Car Oval, White Hills – both teams are outside the top five, but coming off victories over LBU in their last games.

The Blues beat the Cats by 39 points last week to keep within a game of the five, while the Demons have a shot at back-to-back wins after defeating the Cats by 57 points before the bye.

Last time: Mount Pleasant 23.14 (152) d White Hills 10.8 (68).

Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 38; White Hills 10.

SELECTIONS:

Adam Bourke (35) - Huntly (60), Leitchville-Gunbower (7), North Bendigo (48), Mount Pleasant (14).

Luke West (34) - Huntly (76), Leitchville-Gunbower (12), North Bendigo (60), Mount Pleasant (24).

Kieran Iles (33) - Huntly (70), Leitchville-Gunbower (11), North Bendigo (55), Mount Pleasant (15).

LAST TIME THEY MET

LODDON VALLEY – ROUND 10

LVFNL HALFWAY STATS

Inglewood v Mitiamo, 2.15pm Saturday at Just Trees Central Vic Oval, Inglewood – with two wins in a row for the first time since 2010 that has the Blues just a game outside the top five at the halfway mark of the season, they will now chase three in a row for the first time since they last played finals in 2003.

And while Mitiamo sits second on the ladder, certainly don’t discount the Blues given when even at their lowest over the past three years they have been a bogey side for the Superoos.

Last time: Mitiamo 18.12 (120) d Inglewood 10.8 (68).

Since 1995: Mitiamo 35; Inglewood 10.

YCW v Calivil United, 2.15pm Saturday at Backhaus Oval, Golden Square – the Eagles showed last week with their gallant effort against Mitiamo that they certainly must be respected by the Demons at home.

The Demons have won their past three and are now two games clear inside the top three.

Last time: Calivil United 19.9 (123) d YCW 7.10 (52).

Since 1995: Calivil United 31; YCW 17.

Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater, 2.15pm Saturday at Mitchell Park, Pyramid Hill – the Mean Machine hasn’t lost a game since they were defeated by the Bulldogs at Mitchell Park in round five, last year.

The Mean Machine returns to the venue of their last defeat, but this time it’s against a Pyramid Hill side that while still competitive has shown so far it’s not in the bracket of top teams.

Last time: Bridgewater 17.23 (125) d Pyramid Hill 7.4 (46).

Since 1995: Bridgewater 28; Pyramid Hill 22.

Marong v Newbridge, 2.15pm Saturday at Discover Marong Oval – the Panthers are on the slide with three losses in a row and only the winless BL-Serpentine (871) having conceded more points than they have (717).

Despite only two wins in the first half of the season – one of which was against Marong in round one – the Maroons can close to within one game of the top five if they prevail again.

Last time: Newbridge 12.12 (84) d Marong 8.8 (56).

Since 1995: Newbridge 27; Marong 18.

SELECTIONS:

Adam Bourke (33) - Calivil United (28), Newbridge (5), Mitiamo (32), Bridgewater (58).

Luke West (30) - Calivil United (27), Newbridge (6), Mitiamo (22), Bridgewater (45).

Kieran Iles (29) - Calivil United (47), Marong (31), Mitiamo (53), Bridgewater (49).

LAST TIME THEY MET

NORTH CENTRAL – ROUND 8

Boort v Donald, 2.30pm Saturday at Boort Park – match of the round featuring two top four sides.

There will be plenty of eyes in particular on the Royals, who after winning their first five games have since dropped their past two to slip from first to third.

The Magpies had also lost two in a row before recording a steadying 22-point victory over Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers last round that kept them a game clear inside the top four.

Last time: Donald 11.13 (79) d Boort 10.8 (68).

Since 2009: Donald 12; Boort 11.

Wycheproof-Narraport v Wedderburn, 2.30pm Saturday at Wycheproof Recreation Reserve – the records of these two teams couldn’t be any more contrasting, given the Demons are unbeaten and on top of the ladder, while the Redbacks are winless and on the bottom.

Enough said.

Last time: Wycheproof-Narraport 9.15 (69) d Wedderburn 6.10 (46).

Since 2009: Wycheproof-Narraport 13; Wedderburn 10.

Charlton v St Arnaud, 2.30pm Saturday at Charlton Park – at 6-1 the Navies are laying the foundation to launch a tilt at playing in a fourth-straight grand final.

The same can’t be said of reigning premier St Arnaud, which after all teams have played each other once have only a 13-point win over Wedderburn on the board.

The Saints look set to join the Wedderburn side of last season in going from premiers one year to missing the finals the next.

Last time: Charlton 13.16 (94) d St Arnaud 10.7 (67).

Since 2009: Charlton 17; St Arnaud 6.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Birchip-Watchem, 2.30pm Saturday at Sea Lake Community Centre – crunch game between fifth and sixth on the ladder.

After a 1-4 start the Bulls have won their past two and are within a game of the top four, while at home it’s a game the Tigers can’t afford to lose if they are to be a finals threat.

Last time: Birchip-Watchem 10.11 (71) d Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 9.6 (60).

Since 2016: Birchip-Watchem 1; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 0.