Bendigo Advertiser | SATURDAY’S game against Sandhurst is as much about confidence and belief for Eaglehawk as it is taking the Dragons’ top three spot off them.
The Hawks and Dragons meet at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in a clash pitting two sides with 6-2 records.
Both the Dragons and Hawks’ losses have come at the hands of Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square, meaning the loser on Saturday will complete the first half of the season without having beaten any of their fellow “Big Four” opponents.
“We’ve got to earn respect and prove ourselves against the good sides,” Eaglehawk coach Luke Monaghan said on Friday.
“It’s obviously an important game on Saturday... the winner will be in the top three at the halfway mark, a game clear of fourth, and quite a few games clear of sixth, which is the important part.
“Plus, just for our own confidence... Strathfieldsaye was too good for us and we let ourselves down for a quarter against Golden Square and lost by 15 points.
“We want to be able to play good football against the good sides.”
Saturday will be the Hawks’ only home and away game of the season at the QEO, with their match-up against South Bendigo in round 12 to be played at Harry Trott Oval.
“I think the QEO will suit our style of football and we want to prove to ourselves, as much as anyone else, that we’re a contender for the top three,” Monaghan said.
The Hawks are coming off an 84-point win over Maryborough in which midfielders Brodie Collins and Ben McPhee set the tone.
“Brodie has been consistent across the year, and Ben and Cameron Milward have both had good seasons through the midfield as well,” Monaghan said.
“Now we want to get the likes of Hayden Collins and Brodie Filo to that next level... I think Brodie is about ready to come out and really take a game apart.”
The Hawks welcome back some experience and youth into their side with the inclusions of Josh Ketterer and Sam Thompson.
Mitch Dole (knee) is among three outs for the Dragons, while the inclusions feature the Bendigo Pioneers’ most dominant player this season, Lachlan Tardrew.
Meanwhile, Kangaroo Flat will be aiming to buck the trend this year and hold onto fifth spot when it takes on Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.
The Roos will be without co-captain Corey Greer (broken jaw), while the Bulldogs also have a key out in inter-league defender Tim Walsh (ankle).
The Roos have won two of their past three to square their ledger at 4-4, while the Bulldogs (1-7), who have more youth in their side with the inclusions of Trent Crosbie and Riley Patterson, will be desperate to end a six-game losing streak.
At the Kyneton Showgrounds, the Tigers (3-5) in front of their 1995 premiership heroes should be too strong at home for the winless Maryborough.
However, Kyneton will be wary that the Magpies had also lost their first eight games last year before smashing the Tigers in round nine.
