BENDIGO – ROUND 18
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Golden Square v Eaglehawk, 2.20pm Saturday at MyJet Oval – still the incentive of top spot for the Bulldogs if they beat the Hawks and Sandhurst is upset by Kyneton.
But rather than worry about that, what will be at the forefront of Bulldogs coach Nick Carter’s mind is producing a four-quarter performance and hitting September with the momentum of four wins in a row.
Despite last week’s loss to Sandhurst, the Hawks are finals-bound and in much better shape to take it up to the Bulldogs than round six when thumped by 72 points.
An added point of interest to this game is the battle for the Ron Best Medal between the Hawks’ Matt Gretgrix (76 goals) and Bulldogs’ Dylan Johnstone (75).
Last time: Golden Square 16.13 (109) d Eaglehawk 5.7 (37).
Since 1995: Golden Square 32; Eaglehawk 19.
Sandhurst v Kyneton, 2.20pm Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval – last time these two sides met Bryce Hinneberg kicked a memorable goal after the siren to hand the Tigers a three-point win.
Since then the Dragons have won 11 in a row by an average of 67 points to assume flag favoritism.
The Tigers are one game and 12 per cent clear of sixth-placed Kangaroo Flat, meaning a win would guarantee another finals berth, but a heavy loss would provide some hope for the chasing Roos, who will know their exact scenario given they play a 5.30pm game.
Last time: Kyneton 14.11 (95) d Sandhurst 13.14 (92).
Since 1995: Sandhurst 34; Kyneton 9; Drawn 1.
South Bendigo v Maryborough, 2.20pm Saturday at Harry Trott Oval – big chance for the Bloods to end the season with three wins in a row, something they haven’t achieved since 2013.
The Magpies produced their most competitive effort of the season last week against Gisborne, but another defeat on Saturday would see them equal Northern United of the early 90s with 38 in a row as the BFNL’s longest losing streak of the past four decades.
Last time: South Bendigo 27.14 (176) d Maryborough 8.6 (54).
Since 1995: South Bendigo 32; Maryborough 14.
Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye, 2.20pm Saturday at Gardiner Reserve – tough finish to a tough season for the young Bulldogs taking on the defending premiers, while the Storm on the eve of finals will be hoping to bag the four points and get out of the game injury-free given they have now used 44 players.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 16.15 (111) d Gisborne 7.7 (49).
Since 2009: Gisborne 8; Strathfieldsaye 8.
Kangaroo Flat v Castlemaine, 5.30pm Saturday at Bendigo Mazda Oval – the last of 90 home and away games will be played under lights in what shapes as the curtain-call after three years in charge for both coaches.
It will definitely be the last game for the Magpies’ Shane Robertson given Castlemaine is out of the finals race, while the Roos on form need a miracle if Jason Stevens is to coach into September.
Last time: Kangaroo Flat 17.8 (110) d Castlemaine 8.17 (65).
Since 1995: Kangaroo Flat 23; Castlemaine 22; Drawn 1.
HEATHCOTE DISTRICT
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Huntly v North Bendigo, 2.15pm Saturday at Elmore – for the third time in the past four weeks Huntly and North Bendigo will lock horns.
Only this time, the stakes are at their highest, with there no second chance and a spot in the Heathcote District grand final against Leitchville-Gunbower next week on the line.
The big intrigue around the contest centres around which Huntly turns up on Saturday, given when they met in the qualifying final a fortnight ago the Hawks lifted for the occasion and were nine-point winners.
That victory came just a week after the Hawks had been humbled by 124 points by the Bulldogs.
The Hawks last week suffered a 58-point second semi-final loss to the Bombers in what was the first time this season they got no goals out of star duo Harry Whittle and Ryan Semmel, who no doubt will be primed to hit back hard this Saturday.
The Bulldogs kept their dream of back-to-back flags alive with a 25-point first semi-final win over Colbinabbin in the wet last Sunday and are now 4-0 over the past two years in games where either there is a premiership up for grabs or their season is on the line – as is the case this week.
Last time: Huntly 18.14 (122) d North Bendigo 16.17 (113) - qualifying final.
Since 1996: North Bendigo 38; Huntly 11.
LODDON VALLEY
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
Bridgewater v Mitiamo, 2.15pm Saturday at Calivil – Mitiamo will be aiming to accomplish what no side has been able to do to Bridgewater since 2009 – beat the Mean Machine in a final.
During the Mean Machine’s run of six premierships in a row that started in 2010, Bridgewater is a perfect 13-0 in finals.
Having four players out suspended may close the gap, but it’s hard to see that record being blemished in the second semi-final given the Mean Machine go into the game undefeated and having been untouchable in the second half of the season, with their past nine wins all by at least 10 goals.
A win on Saturday would propel the Mean Machine into another grand final and create an opportunity to win a seventh flag in a row – a feat never before achieved in the Loddon Valley.
Mitiamo, which has lost its past 15 games against Bridgewater, set up a shot at the Mean Machine on the back of a 40-point qualifying final win over Calivil United last week.
The Superoos broke the game open with a 10-minute burst in the third quarter, but are going to need to produce 120 minutes of consistent football, which has been an issue this year, if they are to cause the upset.
Last time: Bridgewater 19.10 (124) d Mitiamo 8.13 (61).
Since 1995: Mitiamo 25; Bridgewater 21; Drawn 1.
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
Calivil United v Pyramid Hill, 2.15pm Sunday at Mitiamo – Pyramid Hill defied its underdog status last week and will be striving to do so again against Calivil United on Sunday.
The Bulldogs only scraped into the finals by the skin of their teeth – 2.24 per cent – but they are through to the second week of the finals after knocking out Marong last week.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, with injury concerns to Michael Callinan (corkie), Dylan Tonkin (hamstring), Michael O’Neill (hand) and Mick Dundon (tight hamstring).
Calivil United last week used up its double chance when it went down to Mitiamo by 40 points in the qualifying final in a game of missed opportunities.
Finals football is all about taking chances in front of goal, and the Demons failed to do that in the first half with a return of 4.10 that ultimately proved costly for what is statistically the most accurate side in the competition this season.
The Demons are 2-0 against the Bulldogs this season with wins by 30 and 29 points and go into Sunday’s first semi-final carrying more pressure given Pyramid Hill has already exceeded most expectations by getting this far.
Last time: Calivil United 13.9 (87) d Pyramid Hill 8.9 (57).
Since 1995: Calivil United 29; Pyramid Hill 22.
NORTH CENTRAL
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
Donald v Birchip-Watchem, 2.30pm Saturday at Charlton – for the second year in a row Donald and Birchip-Watchem will put their North Central seasons on the line when they clash in the first semi-final.
And if it lives up to the thriller of 12 months ago when the Royals held off the Bulls by four points, fans will again be in for a treat.
The Royals are in the cut-throat situation after spending most of the season jostling with Charlton for second position, but an upset loss to Boort in round 15 ultimately proved costly.
But a week earlier Donald showed just how dangerous it is at its best when it inflicted Wycheproof-Narraport’s only loss of the home and away season.
Seamus Young has been a strong target for the Royals with 59 goals, and along with Charlton’s Cody Gunn is one of only two players to kick a goal in every game his team has played this year.
Birchip-Watchem has been one of the form teams of the second half of the season, having won six of its past eight games after earlier winning just three of its first eight.
Michael Monteith has been in fine form all season for the Bulls, who will be aiming to shake off a long-time bogey in which they have lost their past seven finals, dating back to 2008.
Last time: Birchip-Watchem 15.13 (103) d Donald 13.7 (85).
Since 2009: Donald 13; Birchip-Watchem 10; Drawn 1.