Preview of another big weekend of country footy in central Victoria.
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Bendigo FNL - round four
Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye
2.20pm Saturday at Gardiner Reserve
After three super impressive wins against inferior opposition, Gisborne will get a better indication of where it sits in the BFNL premiership landscape.
The Bulldogs host premiership favourite Strathfieldsaye in one of the most eagerly-anticipated home and away matches of 2019.
The up-and-coming Dogs are averaging 20 goals per game, but Saturday will be a much tougher test against a Storm defence that hasn't conceded more than 77 points in three games against potential top five teams Eaglehawk, Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 17.11 (113) d Gisborne 5.8 (38).
Since 1995: Gisborne 8, Strathfieldsaye 13.
Sandhurst v Maryborough
1.20pm Saturday at QEO
Hard not to be impressed by the performances of both teams last week.
Arguably the most inexperienced Sandhurst senior side in more than a decade got the job done against the Bloods, while the Magpies went within a whisker of upsetting reigning premier Eaglehawk.
That performance will give the Magpies plenty of confidence that they can be more than just be competitive against the Dragons.
Last time: Sandhurst 13.12 (90) d Maryborough 7.11 (53).
Since 1995: Sandhurst 38, Maryborough 15.
Eaglehawk v Castlemaine
2.20pm Saturday at Canterbury Park
This has the potential to get ugly for the battling Magpies.
Eaglehawk was sub-par last week, but still won, and the Hawks will be desperate to get back to their best form on their home deck.
In an encouraging sign, the Magpies had 21 scoring shots last week against Kyneton. They'll need to repeat the dose to stay competitive with the Hawks.
Last time: Eaglehawk 29.21 (195) d Castlemaine 4.5 (29).
Since 1995: Eaglehawk 31, Castlemaine 19.
Kyneton v Kangaroo Flat
2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton Showgrounds
Great opportunity for the Tigers to win two games in a row.
The winless Roos will be buoyed by the appearance of star recruit Matt Boland, but even his arrival mightn't be enough to turn Flat's form around quickly.
Kyneton was competitive with Golden Square for three quarters, was well beaten by Gisborne before scoring a strong win over Castlemaine.
For now, Kyneton can be trusted more than the Roos.
Last time: Kyneton 25.18 (168) d Kangaroo Flat 7.5 (47).
Since 1995: Kyneton 27, Kangaroo Flat 22.
Golden Square v South Bendigo
2.20pm Saturday at Wade Street
On the back of an 11-goal thumping from Strathfieldsaye, the Bulldogs face a danger game against the improving Bloods.
Injury concerns around skipper Jack Geary puts extra pressure on the home side.
The Bloods have produced flashes of good footy in their 1-2 start to the season. If they can play their best footy for longer they might be able to test the Bulldogs.
Last time: South Bendigo 15.7 (97) d Golden Square 12.10 (82).
Since 1995: Golden Square 34, South Bendigo 25.
HEATHCOTE DISTRICT FNL - round four
White Hills v Elmore
2.15pm Saturday at White Hills
Four weeks ago this was a game White Hills had pencilled in as a win. Not anymore.
The Demons are winless, while the surprise packet Bloods go in as favourite on the back of last week's defeat of reigning premier Leitchville-Gunbower.
After the heavy spending in the off-season the Demons are staring down a 0-4 start. If that's the case they can kiss goodbye any thoughts of a finals appearance.
Last time: White Hills 18.18 (126) d Elmore 8.7 (55).
Since 1995: White Hills 21, Elmore 27, drawn 1.
Leitchville-Gunbower v LBU
2.15pm Saturday at Leitchville
Massive day on and off the field at Leitchville as the home side celebrates 100 years of football.
On the field, the Bombers face a tough test against a rampant Cats outfit.
The Cats should snap an eight-game losing streak to the Bombers dating back to the 2014 preliminary final.
Last time: Letichville-Gunbower 19.12 (126) d LBU 8.8 (56).
Since 1995: Leitchville-Gunbower 9, LBU 11.
Huntly v Heathcote
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly
The Hawks and Saints are chasing their first wins of 2019.
Huntly has fallen away badly in the second half of two of its three matches, so if the Saints can keep the game close they'll back in their fitness to run over the top of the Hawks.
Codie Price is in great form for Heathcote.
Last time: Huntly 18.15 (123) d Heathcote 10.8 (68).
Since 1995: Huntly 25, Heathcote 25.
Mt Pleasant v North Bendigo
2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen
Fresh off a bye, Mounts get the opportunity to challenge an undermanned North Bendigo.
The home side needs a high-profile scalp to really stamp itself as a genuine threat.
The Bulldogs haven't put a foot wrong in 2019, but without Brady Herdman their potency inside forward 50 will be tested.
Last time: North Bendigo 27.15 (177) d Mt Pleasant 9.15 (69).
Since 1995: Mt Pleasant 23, North Bendigo 27.
LODDON VALLEY FNL - round five
Calivil United v Maiden Gully YCW
2.15pm Saturday at Calivil
Calivil United scored a confidence-boosting win last week and now the Demons set their sights on upstaging the highly-rated Eagles.
After a slow start to the season, the Eagles need a strong performance against Calivil with games looming against Newbridge and Pyramid Hill.
With a new coach and a host of new players, the Demons were always going to take a few weeks to get rolling.
Last time: Maiden Gully YCW 12.16 (88) d Calivil United 7.14 (56).
Since 1995: Calivil United 35, Maiden Gully YCW 18.
Marong v Newbridge
2.15pm Saturday at Marong
Marong has dropped two games on the trot, but was far from disgraced in both matches against MGYCW and Pyramid Hill.
Reigning premier Newbridge is another big test for the Panthers.
Newbridge has won five of the past seven encounters with Marong.
Last time: Newbridge 19.15 (129) d Marong 10.8 (68).
Since 1995: Marong 20, Newbridge 30.
Pyramid Hill v Inglewood
2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill
Top versus bottom on the LVFNL ladder and it's hard to see the Blues causing a major upset.
Pyramid Hill hasn't conceded more than 70 points in any of its three matches this season.
Pyramid Hill has won 23-straight matches against Inglewood, with the Blues' last win in 2007.
Last time: Pyramid Hill 19.9 (123) d Inglewood 6.7 (43).
Since 1995: Pyramid Hill 37, Inglewood 11.
BL-Serpentine v Bridgewater
2.15pm Saturday at Serpentine
Still hard to get a gauge on where Bears Lagoon-Serpentine sits on the LVFNL pecking order.
They were great against Calivil a fortnight ago, but were outclassed by Mitiamo last week. Most fans expect the Bears to make the finals, so this game against the rebuilding Mean Machine is one they should win.
Last time: BL-Serpentine 14.15 (99) d Bridgewater 8.11 (59).
Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 28, Bridgewater 25.
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