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READ MORE - Good Friday football preview
BENDIGO LEAGUE - ROUND 2
GOLDEN SQUARE v KANGAROO FLAT
2.20pm Saturday at Golden Square.
When Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat take to the field as the only Easter Saturday game in the BFNL it will be 6532 days since the Roos last defeated the Bulldogs back in June of 2001.
Long-time Roos fans must be sick of hearing about the club's hoodoo against Golden Square that now sits at 36-consecutive losses, but Saturday presents another opportunity to do something about it and get a massive monkey off the club's back.
But more importantly than that is the Roos coming out and showing much more than they did last week over four quarters.
The Roos could muster just three goals from 14 scoring shots against Sandhurst last week and from being within 14 points at half-time, were unable to close down the Dragons when the floodgates opened in the second half and lost by 73.
While it was a tough start to 2019 for Rob Bennett's Roos, Golden Square will head into round two off the back of a 44-point victory over Kyneton in which midfield recruit Liam Barrett was quick to make his mark, kicking three goals and earning best-on-ground honours.
Last time: Golden Square 8.16 (64) def Kangaroo Flat 7.8 (50).
Since 1995: Golden Square 40; Kangaroo Flat 9.
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LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE - ROUND 3
CALIVIL UNITED v BL-SERPENTINE
2.15pm Saturday at Calivil.
What a bizarre sight it is to see Calivil United sitting at the bottom of the ladder.
So long associated with the top half of the ladder, the Demons are at the foot of it following their 0-2 start to the season, which hasn't happened since 2001.
The Demons are lacking forward punch, having kicked just 12 goals in their first two games against Newbridge and Marong.
The Bears survived a massive scare last week, scraping past Inglewood by one point to open their season with a win after a round one bye.
One point it was, but it's four points on the board for the Bears and that's what this phase of the season is about - banking early wins.
Last time: BL-Serpentine 12.11 (83) d Calivil United 10.11 (71).
Since 1995: Calivil United 32; BL-Serpentine 21.
NEWBRIDGE v MITIAMO
2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.
The keenly-anticipated grand final re-match awaits at Newbridge.
The reigning premier Maroons - who beat Mitiamo by 44 points in last year's grand final - will be refreshed from a week off, which followed their 75-point demolition of Calivil United in round one.
While it's all positive at Newbridge so far, the Superoos were disappointing last week in copping a 55-point hiding off Pyramid Hill - hardly a performance you'd expect to be dished up from the team that was a popular pre-season premiership tip.
Then again, it may speak more to Pyramid Hill and its status this year.
Whatever way you look at it, expect a fired-up Superoos side to take to the field with a fierce determination to prove it's a much better side than what last week's scoreline suggested.
Last time: Newbridge 11.11 (77) d Mitiamo 4.9 (33) - grand final.
Since 1995: Newbridge 28; Mitiamo 24.
INGLEWOOD v BRIDGEWATER
2.15pm Saturday at Inglewood.
The young Bridgewater side was given a massive injection of confidence last week with its six-point win over Maiden Gully YCW - a team widely tipped to be a premiership contender.
It was a brilliant response by the Mean Machine from an 84-point loss to Pyramid Hill in round one and provides a strong launching pad into this clash with Inglewood.
Given how few and far wins have been for the Blues - they have won just 10 of their past 100 - last week's one-point loss to Bears Lagoon-Serpentine must have been gut-wrenching.
But coming so close also shows that if they can sustain a four-quarter effort their next win may well be just around the corner.
Last time: Bridgewater 14.17 (101) d Inglewood 11.10 (76).
Since 1995: Bridgewater 33; Inglewood 15.
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HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE - ROUND 2
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER v NORTH BENDIGO
2.15pm Saturday at Leitchville.
The HDFNL's modern-day marquee match-up highlights Easter Saturday when the Bombers and Bulldogs renew their rivaly.
No introduction is needed - four grand clashes in a row against each other for two flags apiece speaks for itself.
The Bulldogs showed last week with their 130-point belting of Huntly spearheaded by Brady Herdman's 12 goals in his first game out of retirement that they will once again be a dominant - and potent - force.
The Bombers though are far more of an unknown given the high turnover of players from last year's winning grand final team.
The Bombers duly started with a 14-point win over Mount Pleasant last week, but this clash against their arch-rivals will help to paint a clearer picture of their 2019 capacity.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 14.10 (94) d North Bendigo 12.13 (85) - grand final.
Head to head: North Bendigo 15; Leitchville-Gunbower 10.
HUNTLY v ELMORE
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.
It took Elmore until round 18 last year to win its first game, but an opportunity is seemingly knocking for the Bloods to post an early victory this weekend.
The Bloods showed against Colbinabbin - albeit a 47-point loss last week - they are going to be much more competitive in 2019 and it's unlikely to take new forward Romain Grenville (eight goals) long to become a cult figure around the club if he continues to produce like he did on debut.
A big challenge for Huntly coach Denis Grinton to get his side back up and about following a first-up 130-point loss to North Bendigo - albeit it's a different class of opposition on their home deck this week.
Last time: Huntly 19.18 (132) d Elmore 5.10 (40).
Since 1995: Elmore 30; Huntly 21.
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