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Related: Friday Flashbacks
BENDIGO FNL – ROUND 6
KYNETON v SANDHURST
1.50pm Saturday at Kyneton.
Huge opportunity for Kyneton to grab a handy six-point buffer on the Dragons.
Sandhurst is riddled with injuries and suspensions to key players, including Andrew Collins and Lee Coghlan, and the Tigers are riding high after last round’s win over Eaglehawk.
If Kyneton wants to be considered a top-three prospect it’s a game it should win.
Last time: Sandhurst 13.7 (85) d Kyneton 12.18 (90).
Since 1995: Kyneton 10, Sandhurst 36, drawn 2.
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STRATHFIELDSAYE v CASTLEMAINE
2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.
Two interests in this game – how much will the Storm lift their percentage by and how many goals will Lachlan Sharp kick?
With the competition for top three spots so tight, the Storm needs to be ruthless against the Pies and win by a big margin because percentage could be the difference between having the double-chance and playing in an elimination final.
Sharp bagged 19 goals in two matches against Castlemaine last year.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 27.14 (176) d Castlemaine 4.11 (35).
Head to head: Strathfieldsaye 16, Castlemaine 2.
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EAGLEHAWK v SOUTH BENDIGO
2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.
Tough ask for South Bendigo to come up against an Eaglehawk side on the rebound from its first defeat of the season.
The absence of Eaglehawk star forward Matt Gretgrix will help the Bloods, but the bottom line is the Hawks’ 22 is more reliable than South Bendigo’s.
The Bloods will probably hang around and push Eaglehawk for a half, but when it comes to the crunch it will be the Hawks who are more likely to take their game to another level.
Last time: Eaglehawk 13.16 (94) d South Bendigo 11.7 (73).
Since 1995: Eaglehawk 23, South Bendigo 27.
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GISBORNE v MARYBOROUGH
2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.
The young Bulldogs have had a tough fixture to start the year, but they get some relief over the next fortnight with games against the bottom two clubs.
They’ve played some patches of really good footy against the top teams and that form will be more than enough to get the points over the undermanned Pies.
Gisborne coach Clinton Young will play his first game of the season.
Last time: Gisborne 8.10 (58) d Maryborough 5.10 (40).
Head to head: Gisborne 31, Maryborough 5.
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KANGAROO FLAT v GOLDEN SQUARE
2.20pm Sunday at Kangaroo Flat.
Promising Kangaroo Flat defender Nathan McHugh was still in nappies the last time the Roos defeated Golden Square.
That was round eight, 2001, and the 33-game losing streak looks like it will stretch to 34 on Sunday.
The top-of-the-table Dogs will have too much class through the midfield and are so well organised defensively that it’s hard to see the Roos kicking a winning score.
Last time: Golden Square 20.17 (137) d Kangaroo Flat 1.7 (13).
Since 1995: Kangaroo Flat 9, Golden Square 38.
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HEATHCOTE DISTRICT – ROUND 7
NORTH BENDIGO v ELMORE
2.15pm Saturday at North Bendigo.
Another steep learning curve for the winless Bloods as they take on the might of North Bendigo at the kennel.
The four points are out of the question, but it would be a good result for Elmore if it could limit the damage.
The Bulldogs have an average score of 154 points and average winning margin of 16 goals in their two home matches this season. If the Bloods can lower those marks on Saturday it will be a moral victory of sorts and give them something to build on.
Last time: North Bendigo 28.14 (182) d Elmore 4.4 (28).
Since 1995: North Bendigo 25, Elmore 20.
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HUNTLY v LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.
Much-anticipated clash of the top two teams on the ladder.
Huntly hasn’t put a foot wrong in the opening six weeks of the season and a victory over the Bombers would give the Hawks a clean-sweep of the competition’s premiership contenders and a mortgage on a top-three berth.
Huntly also needs to prove itself against a Leitchville side that has dominated the Hawks in recent years.
In the past three years the clubs have met seven times with the Bombers winning all seven by an average margin of eight goals.
The Bombers haven’t hit top gear yet and maybe the challenge of playing the premiership favourite will bring the best out of the reigning champions.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 17.12 (114) d Huntly 13.7 (85).
Head to head: Huntly 4, Leitchville-Gunbower 13.
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LBU v HEATHCOTE
2.15pm Saturday at Lockington.
This shapes as a danger game for the LBU Cats.
Heathcote had 34 scoring shots to 16 in its 43-point win over White Hills last round and it’s amazing what one win can do to the confidence levels of a developing side.
The Cats have had the better form over the first six rounds, but they will need to be at their best to ensure they get the four points and consolidate fifth place on the ladder.
Last time: LBU 17.12 (114) d Heathcote 5.11 (41).
Head to head: Lockington 25, Heathcote 12.
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WHITE HILLS v COLBINABBIN
2.15pm Saturday at White Hills.
The outcome of this match largely depends on which White Hills side turns up.
If it’s the White Hills side that stretched Huntly and North Bendigo for a half, then Colbo could be in for a tough day. If it’s the White Hill side which was very poor against Heathcote, then Colbo will have a percentage-boosting victory.
After an inconsistent performance against Mounts, the Hoppers will be hoping to find their best form ahead of big games against LBU and North Bendigo.
Last time: Colbinabbin 11.10 (76) d White Hills 11.5 (71).
Since 1995: White Hills 9, Colbinabbin 39.
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LODDON VALLEY – ROUND 6
NEWBRIDGE v INGLEWOOD
2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.
Newbridge should stretch its winning streak to four.
The absence of Tommy Horne hurts the Maroons’ midfield depth, but the return of key forward Sam Mildren will give the young Blues’ defence plenty to think about.
Last time: Newbridge 14.18 (102) d Inglewood 5.7 (37).
Since 1995: Newbridge 35, Inglewood 11.
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MAIDEN GULLY YCW v CALIVIL UNITED
2.15pm Saturday at Marist College.
Can anyone stop the Eagles? On recent form it’s hard to see Calivil stopping the Eagles’ winning streak at five.
First step to restricting the Eagles would be to quell the influence of star midfielder Nick Waterson and in-form small forward Luke Gray.
Last time: Calivil United 22.9 (141) d MGYCW 5.5 (35).
Since 1995: MGYCW 17, Calivil United 34.
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PYRAMID HILL v BRIDGEWATER
2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.
The Pyramid Hill Bulldogs haven’t won their opening six matches of the season since 2006.
If they can break that drought and defeat the Mean Machine on Saturday, the Bulldogs will potentially be three games clear inside the top three. It’s only early in the season, but that would be a huge buffer in the race for the all-important double-chance.
Last time: Bridgewater 13.9 (87) d Pyramid Hill 7.15 (57).
Since 1995: Pyramid Hill 30, Bridgewater 22, drawn 1.
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BEARS LAGOON-SERPENTINE v MITIAMO
2.15pm Saturday at Serpentine.
As far as having any hopes of making the finals, this is just about last roll of the dice for the Bears. Their 0-4 start has left them with little wriggle room.
The Superoos have been hot and cold and they need a win to stay in touch with the top three.
Last time: Mitiamo 14.8 (92) d BL-Serpentine 8.9 (57).
Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 20, Mitiamo 29.