• BENDIGO LEAGUE – ROUND 2
KANGAROO FLAT v KYNETON
2.20pm Saturday at Kangaroo Flat.
Neither side won their round one match last week, but the Tigers didn’t lose either, playing out a low-scoring draw with South Bendigo.
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While it’s a new season, last week was the third draw the Tigers have played in their past 17 games, having split the points twice last year in matches against Sandhurst and Golden Square.
The Roos were handed a 73-point hiding from Gisborne and will be determined to produce a much stronger showing in their first home game of the season.
Last time: Kyneton 13.14 (92) d Kangaroo Flat 6.4 (40).
Since 1995: Kyneton 25; Kangaroo Flat 22.
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CASTLEMAINE v EAGLEHAWK
2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.
Both teams were round-one winners and meet at Camp Reserve, with the Magpies no doubt hungry to show that they will be no pushovers on their home turf this season.
Castlemaine coach Derrick Filo acknowledged earlier in the week “we’re not expected to get close to them” – them being an Eaglehawk side that wasted no time making its first statement of the season last week with a 25-point grand final rematch win over Strathfieldsaye.
Last time: Eaglehawk 20.15 (135) d Castlemaine 10.16 (76).
Since 1995: Eaglehawk 29; Castlemaine 19.
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GOLDEN SQUARE v MARYBOROUGH
2.20pm Saturday at Golden Square.
An impressive start to the season for Golden Square last week with a 33-point victory at the QEO against arch-rival Sandhurst and now come up against an opponent they have won their past six games against by margins of 140, 106, 200, 207, 238 and 146 points.
It’s a massive second-up challenge for new Magpies coach Ben Lavars on the back of last week’s season-opening loss to Castlemaine by 23 points, which could have been closer had they made more of their 8.13.
Last time: Golden Square 24.23 (167) d Maryborough 4.3 (27).
Since 1995: Golden Square 32; Maryborough 16.
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SOUTH BENDIGO v SANDHURST
2.20pm Saturday at QEO.
Shapes as the match of the round between the QEO co-tenants.
The Dragons suffered an opening round loss to arch-rival Golden Square last week by 33 points, while the Bloods will be also striving to open their account for 2018 following their draw with Kyneton.
As well as the incentive of getting their first wins of the season on the board, the Graeme Wright Memorial Cup – held by the Bloods – is up for grabs.
Last time: Sandhurst 12.13 (85) d South Bendigo 11.10 (76).
Since 1995: South Bendigo 26; Sandhurst 26.
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STRATHFIELDSAYE v GISBORNE
4.15pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.
A big day at Tannery Lane as Strathfieldsaye unfurls its 2017 premiership flag ahead of its twilight clash against Gisborne.
The Storm have started the season 0-1, while Gisborne is sitting in top spot on the ladder for the first time since round one, 2014, following its 73-point hiding of Kangaroo Flat.
But the question surrounding Gisborne this year is can it bridge the gap to the top sides in the league and start to claim some scalps of note – like the Storm.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 23.12 (150) d Gisborne 8.11 (59).
Head to Head: Strathfieldsaye 11; Gisborne 8.
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• HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE – ROUND 3
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER v HEATHCOTE
2.15pm Saturday at Leitchville.
Shapes as another tough day for Heathcote, which opened its season last week kicking just two goals in a 73-point loss to Colbinabbin.
Heathcote now cops the reigning premier Bombers, who have won eight in a row against the Saints – five of them by more than 100 points.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 33.20 (218) d Heathcote 5.3 (33).
Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 10; Heathcote 7.
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HUNTLY v NORTH BENDIGO
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.
Across eight games in the first two rounds, the average margin in the HDFNL is already 76 points in what has been a one-sided start to the season.
Which is why this clash between the arch-rival Hawks and Bulldogs is so keenly-anticipated.
It’s the second match-up of the season pitting two of the “big-four” against each other and shapes as a ripper.
There’s plenty of hype around the Hawks this season and they have made a 2-0 start, but you get the feeling North Bendigo will relish this as an opportunity to show that it can still be a force to be reckoned with in 2018.
Last time: North Bendigo 12.16 (88) d Huntly 8.4 (52) – preliminary final.
Head to Head: North Bendigo 42; Huntly 11.
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WHITE HILLS v LBU
2.15pm Saturday at White Hills.
These two sides have made a habit in recent years of producing thrilling contests, with three of their past five encounters having been decided by just two points.
The popular tip around the league is these are the two teams that will provide the only change to the top five from last year – White Hills out and the Cats in.
Last time: LBU 16.10 (106) d White Hills 10.7 (67).
Head to Head: LBU 22; White Hills 15.
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MOUNT PLEASANT v ELMORE
2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.
Only two rounds in, but this is already shaping as another challenging season for the two bottom teams from last year where winnable opportunities may be scarce.
Both the Blues and Bloods are 0-2 and coming off losses by a combined 247 points last week, but one will turn that around and into a win – unless they draw like last time they met.
Last time: Mount Pleasant 15.15 (105) dr Elmore 16.9 (105).
Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 29; Elmore 22; Drawn 2.
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• LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE – ROUND 2
CALIVIL UNITED v MITIAMO
2.15pm Saturday at Calivil.
The Demons will unfurl their 2017 premiership flag ahead of a tussle with the Superoos.
Both teams were victorious last week, with Mitiamo in particular making an early mark on the season when it ended a string of 19 losses in a row against Bridgewater with a 25-point win.
Last time: Calivil United 15.20 (110) d Mitiamo 8.10 (58).
Since 1995: Calivil United 38; Mitiamo 23.
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BRIDGEWATER v INGLEWOOD
2.15pm Saturday at Bridgewater.
First look at Inglewood for the season after the Blues had the bye in the opening round.
The Blues’ initiation into season 2018 is taking on Bridgewater – an opponent they have lost 19 in a row against – on the rebound from a round one defeat.
While it’s only one round in, the Mean Machine sitting sixth is just the third time in the past 155 ladders they have been outside the top five.
Last time: Bridgewater 20.24 (144) d Inglewood 3.1 (19).
Since 1995: Bridgewater 31; Inglewood 15.
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MAIDEN GULLY YCW v MARONG
2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.
An impressive start under the Wayne Mitrovic regime for the Eagles with a 35-point win over Bears Lagoon-Serpentine last week, spearheaded by his five goals.
For the first time since round 14, 2006, the Eagles are enjoying the view from the top of the ladder and will now chase their first 2-0 start to a season since 2009 when they host Marong, which fell 10 points shy of Calivil United last week.
Last time: Maiden Gully YCW 12.9 (81) d Marong 10.9 (69).
Since 1995: Maiden Gully YCW 28; Marong 18.
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PYRAMID HILL v BL-SERPENTINE
2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.
The Bulldogs created the first LVFNL headline of the season last week when they upset flag favourite Newbridge by nine points.
They return to their big home ground, where they are always a difficult proposition for visiting opposition to take on the Bears, who were outplayed by Maiden Gully YCW last week when outscored in all four quarters.
Last time: Pyramid Hill 13.16 (94) d BL-Serpentine 9.14 (68).
Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 27; Pyramid Hill 26.