RELATED – HOW THEY STAND: LEAGUE LADDERS
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• BENDIGO LEAGUE – ROUND 10
KANGAROO FLAT v GISBORNE
2.20pm Saturday at Kangaroo Flat.
The Bulldogs are on the move – only percentage outside the top five and on the cusp of winning five in a row for the first time since 2014.
The Roos will need to be up and about early given strong starts have become a trait of the Bulldogs, who during their run of four wins in a row have been at least 50 points up at half-time in three of them.
Last time: Gisborne 18.9 (117) d Kangaroo Flat 6.8 (44).
Head to Head: Gisborne 26; Kangaroo Flat 12.
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CASTLEMAINE v MARYBOROUGH
2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.
It was the corresponding round against the same opponent last year that Maryborough finally ended a 47-game losing streak.
Maryborough has lost its 17 games since that breakthrough win ahead of its game against Castlemaine, where opportunity is again knocking.
Castlemaine beat Maryborough by 23 points in round one, but it’s Maryborough that has been more consistently competitive in the eight rounds since.
Last time: Castlemaine 12.12 (84) d Maryborough 8.13 (61).
Since 1995: Maryborough 30; Castlemaine 20.
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GOLDEN SQUARE v SANDHURST
2.20pm Saturday at Golden Square.
Just when some queries were starting to surround Golden Square off back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs responded in fighting style with a 34-point win over Kyneton at home last week that not only would have renewed some confidence, but kept them within reach of the top three.
The question of Sandhurst is can the Dragons make a genuine tilt in September, or are they just making up the numbers given they sit in fifth position on the ladder, but are 0-4 against their fellow top five sides.
Last time: Golden Square 9.13 (67) d Sandhurst 4.10 (34).
Since 1995: Golden Square 32; Sandhurst 25.
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SOUTH BENDIGO v KYNETON
2.20pm Saturday at QEO.
The Bloods have the job ahead of them if they are to end their finals drought and feature in September for the first time since 2012.
They slipped six points outside the top five last week with a 34-point loss to Gisborne in what’s a season they had entered touted as being one of the big improvers, but are still to gain any momentum.
Next up is a clash against Kyneton, which will be stung by its second-half fadeout against Golden Square last week and keen to atone on the QEO to keep hold of its top three spot.
Last time: Kyneton 5.10 (40) dr South Bendigo 5.10 (40).
Since 1995: South Bendigo 32; Kyneton 16; Drawn 1.
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STRATHFIELDSAYE v EAGLEHAWK
2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.
The main event match of round 10 as the two top sides and favourites to meet in the grand final for the second year in a row lock horns.
The tale of the tape shows both sides are 8-1 with almost identical percentages – the Storm 209.2 and Hawks’ 208.9 – with the winner to take a handy one-game buffer at the top of the ladder.
The Hawks won by 25 points in round one, but taking on the Storm at Tannery Lane where they are 53-4 since 2012 is the toughest assignment in the BFNL.
Last time: Eaglehawk 12.12 (84) d Strathfieldsaye 8.11 (59).
Head to Head: Eaglehawk 12; Strathfieldsaye 11.
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• HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE – ROUND 11
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER v ELMORE
2.15pm Saturday at Gunbower.
A long day looms for the Bloods, who cop what will no doubt be a fierce Bombers side hungry to bounce back from last week’s 73-point hiding from North Bendigo.
It’s the Bombers’ first home game of the season at Gunbower, where they are unbeaten since 2014.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 24.11 (155) d Elmore 6.9 (45).
Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 11; Elmore 6.
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COLBINABBIN v HEATHCOTE
2.15pm Saturday at Colbinabbin.
The Saints return from the bye for a clash against the Grasshoppers, who they could muster just two goals against in round two.
The Grasshoppers are coming off a 121-point win over Elmore last week, but will want to sharpen up in front of goal after they kicked 20.27, squandering the chance for an even bigger victory in a season where percentage may prove telling among the “big four” come the end of round 18.
Last time: Colbinabbin 14.6 (90) d Heathcote 2.5 (17).
Since 1995: Colbinabbin 34; Heathcote 21.
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HUNTLY v LBU
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.
The Hawks regained their position back at the top of the ladder with last week’s win over White Hills, but there’s no time to sit back and admire the view given they have three sides all within one game just behind them.
While the Hawks are travelling along nicely at 8-1, the Cats are now well on track for a return to the finals for the first time since 2014 after moving two games clear inside the top five with last week’s 32-point win over Mount Pleasant.
Last time: Huntly 10.12 (72) d LBU 3.8 (26).
Head to Head: LBU 28; Huntly 9.
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MOUNT PLEASANT v NORTH BENDIGO
2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.
The Bulldogs are starting to get an ominous look about them on the back of two strong wins over Colbinabbin (31 points) and Leitchville-Gunbower (73) the past fortnight that has them sitting second.
They have now strung together six wins in a row ahead of the trip to Toolleen to take on the Blues, who had some wind knocked out of their sails last week with a loss to LBU that left them two games outside the top five.
Last time: North Bendigo 25.16 (166) d Mount Pleasant 4.5 (29).
Head to Head: North Bendigo 26; Mount Pleasant 23.
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• LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE – ROUND 10
RELATED – LVFNL HALFWAY NUMBERS BREAKDOWN
CALIVIL UNITED v MARONG
2.15pm Saturday at Raywood.
The Demons begin the second half of the season at 4-4, having fought their way back from 1-3 following a sluggish start to 2018.
They grinded out a hard-fought win over BL-Serpentine last week and now take on the Panthers, who showed with their seven-goal second term against Bridgewater last Saturday what they are capable of, but can they produce it for long enough to topple the reigning premiers?
Last time: Calivil United 13.7 (85) d Marong 11.9 (75).
Since 1995: Calivil United 40; Marong 10.
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BRIDGEWATER v MITIAMO
2.15pm Saturday at Bridgewater.
Pivotal game for both teams.
The Superoos can maintain a buffer of at least one game inside the top five if they can defeat the Mean Machine, or they could potentially drop from fifth to seventh if beaten at home.
The Mean Machine are one game outside the top five, but showed signs they could be on the way back with their crucial 57-point win over Marong last week.
Last time: Mitiamo 11.14 (80) d Bridgewater 7.13 (55).
Since 1995: Mitiamo 26; Bridgewater 25; Drawn 1.
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MAIDEN GULLY YCW EAGLES v BL-SERPENTINE
2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.
What a first half of the season for the Eagles, who sit a game clear in top spot under new coach Wayne Mitrovic.
They have beaten fellow top-three sides Newbridge (12 points) and Pyramid Hill (45) the past fortnight to enhance their credentials and now meet the Bears, who have played some good football over the past month, but slipped up against Calivil United last week.
Last time: Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 12.13 (85) d BL-Serpentine 7.8 (50).
Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 26; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 24; Drawn 1.
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PYRAMID HILL v NEWBRIDGE
2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.
Both teams have given themselves a solid platform to launch into the second half of the season from, each with 6-2 records and two games inside the top three.
The victor will remain well clear in the top three, and also bounce back to the winner’s list given both lost their last games, which were against Maiden Gully YCW.
Last time: Pyramid Hill 8.1 (49) d Newbridge 4.16 (40).
Since 1995: Pyramid Hill 26; Newbridge 24.