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Logo Strathfieldsaye01Bendigo Advertiser | STRATHFIELDSAYE has suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday’s BFNL top-of-the-table clash against Sandhurst.

The Storm will be without star forward Sam Mildren because of his ongoing back issues.

“Sam’s just not right to play this week, so we’re not going to risk him,’’ Storm coach Darryl Wilson said.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so we’re not prepared to play injured players at this time of year.”

The reigning premier will also be without suspended ruckman Michael Pilcher and former St Kilda star Stephen Milne.

Pilcher copped a one-week suspension from the BFNL tribunal after pleading guilty to headbutting Eaglehawk’s Chris Hudson.

Milne will miss his second-straight game because of an ankle injury.

On a positive note the Storm regains former Carlton midfielder David Gallagher and full-back Kane Airdrie from injury.

Sandhurst made just the one forced change. Ben Anderson replaces fellow key forward Ryan Haythorpe, who is out injured.

Third-placed Golden Square has been decimated by injury ahead of Saturday’s clash with Kangaroo Flat at Bendigo Mazda Oval.

The Bulldogs were forced to make six changes to the team which belted South Bendigo last Saturday.

Key quartet Travis Baird, Dale Lowry, Brayden Dorrington and Sam Wilkie are out injured, while young guns Jayden Burke and Isaac Miller return to the Bendigo Pioneers.

The silver lining to Square’s cloud is the return from injury of playmaker Jack Geary.

While Square is depleted, Kangaroo Flat named one of its strongest sides of the season. Former Bendigo Gold ruckman Jeremy Lambden makes his long-awaited first senior game for 2015. Key midfielder Simon Davies is back from injury for the Roos.

Gisborne regained number one defender Tim Walsh for its crucial clash with Kyneton at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

Walsh and veteran midfielder Shaun Comerford return to a Bulldogs’ squad that has won its past three games.

The Tigers made four changes, with Brandon Dimech, Aaron Chinn, Rory Healy and Tommy O’Sullivan replaced by Darcy Kelly, Jesse Redpath, Rhys Smith and Robert Corner, who will play his first game for the club.

Eaglehawk made three changes for Sunday's game against South Bendigo Harry Trott Oval.

The Hawks regain Damien Wust and Lachlan Ryan, while Blake Natoli will make his senior debut for the Borough. Classy forward Sean Williams and speedster Ryan Threlfall are both injured.

BFNL selections for round 12:

Adam Bourke (47) - Gisborne, Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye, Castlemaine, Eaglehawk.  Luke West (46) – Gisborne, Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye, Castlemaine, Eaglehawk. Nathan Dole (38) – Kyneton, Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye, Castlemaine, Eaglehawk.

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