SOUTH Bendigo will be shooting for its first 3-0 start to a BFNL season in more than a decade when it hosts Gisborne at the QEO on Saturday.
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The Bloods, who are aiming for back-to-back finals appearances in 2021 after breaking a 19-year drought in 2019, will enter their round four contest in solid form, but have every reason to be wary of the Bulldogs.
Gisborne won both 2019 against the Bloods and have been in some excellent form of their own following a draw last week against buzz team Kangaroo Flat.
While rapt to have emerged unscathed in contests against Eaglehawk and Kyneton, Bloods coach Jannelle Hobbs said with plenty of new faces on board for this year's campaign, her side was still finding its feet.
"This will be a real test this week, I'm sure we'll get to see just where we are at," she said.
"Last week (against Kyneton) it was slippery and wet and a real defensive game and it was a bit of a slog in the end to be honest, but we got there.
"The four points are all that really matters at this stage.
"Obviously Gisborne is travelling really well and they are always a good side, so it will be a big challenge for us."
Hobbs was full of praise for her defenders against the Tigers, led by Stephanie Goode with an eye-catching 16 intercepts, while midcourt recruit Keiarah Brooks continued her fantastic start to the season with another brilliant performance.
Hobbs said the Bloods were still to fully settle on their combinations in some parts of the court.
"We are still working on our goaling combinations. Obviously Chloe (Langley) is our main goaler, but we are trying to work out the other position," she said.
"Keiarah Brooks has had an amazing start to the year, so we have some real positives.
"The real challenge for us is to find some consistency across the four quarters.
"I guess one of the biggest positives has been coming away with the wins in some pressure games, whereas in the past we might have dropped off. We are definitely learning to win those types of games."
Hobbs said the Bloods had missed the versatility and feeding ability of defensive midcourter Emily Cossar following her injury early in the Bloods opening match of the season against Eaglehawk.
Gisborne comes into the contest with a 2-0-1 record.
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