Predicting how the Bendigo Football Netball League finishes in the final few rounds

The finals race is heating up with a month to go in the Bendigo Football League as we predict the run home.

It could be a tight finish to this year’s Bendigo Football Netball League as teams battle for the last finals spots.

With four games remaining the race for the top five is on with up to seven teams still a chance of making the finals.

We’ve dusted off the crystal ball to predict who will make it and who will miss out in the final few rounds.

No doubt it will be provide some message board motivation for all teams and fans.

Gisborne (13-0-1, 276.83%)

Last four: South Bendigo (A), Kangaroo Flat (H), Golden Square (A), Eaglehawk (H)

Almost the perfect draw for the side on the run home with two finals tests and other contests which will help the side secure the minor premiership.

The team should win all four on the way home but South Bendigo and Golden Square away will be tough tests.

But after their dominant win against Strathfieldsaye last week Gisborne should be too strong for the rest of their rivals.

Prediction: WWWW – 1st

Strathfieldsaye (11-0-3, 173.11%)

Last four: Maryborough (A), South Bendigo (H), Kangaroo Flat (A), Golden Square (H)

Strathfieldsaye's Jake Moorhead. The team will be looking to cement a top-two finish in the next few rounds. Picture: Aaron Cook.

Should seal a double chance in the finals this week with a win over the bottom-placed Maryborough.

The final round could determine who finishes second with the Storm taking on Golden Square.

The Storm’s top-two destiny is in its own hands despite losing to Gisborne last week.

Prediction: WWWL – 2nd

Golden Square (10-0-4, 251.35%)

Last four: Kyneton (H), Castlemaine (A), Gisborne (H), Strathfieldsaye (A)

Golden Square will get the perfect test for their premiership credentials in the finals two rounds taking on Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye.

If they can beat both then a top-two finish could be on the cards for the Bulldogs.

The team should beat both Kyneton and Castlemaine to seal a double chance in the finals before getting their crack at the top-two.

A win and a loss, or two wins, against Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye would be a positive outcome.

Prediction: WWLW – 3rd

South Bendigo (9-0-5, 105.28%)

Last four: Gisborne (H), Strathfieldsaye (A), Maryborough (A), Kangaroo Flat (H)

Matthew Long stretches to take a mark for South Bendigo earlier this season. The finals are in sight for the Bloods. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

There could be a few nervous moments for South Bendigo as it chases a top five finish.

Their run home starts with facing the top-two teams, Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye, before facing bottom three teams Maryborough and Kangaroo Flat.

The team may need to beat one of the top-two to stay in the finals race if the teams below them get on a run.

The Bloods’ percentage, which is 15 per cent behind fifth and sixth, is not in their favour if it is level on wins with other teams.

But South Bendigo should hold on with wins in the final two rounds getting them into the top five.

Prediction: LLWW – 4th

Eaglehawk (8-0-6, 120.90%)

Last four: Sandhurst (H), Kyneton (A), Castlemaine (H), Gisborne (A)

Eaglehawk faces plenty of challenges to make sure it seals a finals spot.

It currently holds the last finals spot by just 0.63 per cent.

The next two matches, against Sandhurst and Kyneton, will determine where Eaglehawk lands.

Wins in both matches would give them the advantage to seal fifth spot.

Eaglehawk’s final match against ladder leaders Gisborne could decide whether it makes it.

A win or a small loss - one which doesn’t hurt percentage too much, could be what is needed to finish 5th.

Prediction: WLWL – 6th

Kyneton (8-0-6, 120.27%)

Last four: Golden Square (A), Eaglehawk (H), Sandhurst (A), Maryborough (H)

Former Geelong premiership star Paul Chapman has been the coach at Kyneton since the start of the year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Under former Geelong premiership star Paul Chapman the Tigers are still a good shot at making the finals.

Kyneton faces a tough test against Golden Square first up before battling two other finals rivals in Eaglehawk and Sandhurst.

A final round encounter against Maryborough could be valuable for boosting their percentage to what is needed to play finals.

It will be close but wins in the final three matches could be enough to seal fifth.

Prediction: LWLW – 5th

Sandhurst (6-0-8, 120.19%)

Last four: Eaglehawk (A), Maryborough (H), Kyneton (H), Castlemaine (A)

If Sandhurst miss the finals it will be a season of missed opportunities for them.

Sandhurst is the only team to beat Gisborne this season and the Dragons also beat Golden Square, another top three team, during the year.

The side’s recent form, losing three of its past four, has hurt.

The Dragons are two games behind the top five.

Sandhurst’s run home could put them in the finals, but they will need to win all four matches and hope other results go their way.

It might just come a little too late for the Dragons.

Prediction: LWWW – 7th

Kangaroo Flat (3-0-11, 51.40%)

Last four: Castlemaine (H), Gisborne (A), Strathfieldsaye (H), South Bendigo (A)

The Kangaroos face the toughest run home, taking on teams in the top four in the last three rounds.

It should defeat Castlemaine this weekend to seal eighth spot before it faces the test from the others.

This year is an improvement from last year when the team won two games.

It will be looking to build for next year with those competitive fixtures to finish.

Prediction: WLLL – 8th

Castlemaine (2-0-12, 33.12%)

Last four: Kangaroo Flat (A), Golden Square (H), Eaglehawk (A), Sandhurst (H)

It’s hard to see where Castlemaine will win in the final four rounds with their only wins this season coming against Maryborough.

The side will fancy its chances against Kangaroo Flat this week in the bottom three battle.

The Blues will also have one eye on beating Eaglehawk after losing to them by one point earlier this season.

Regardless of the results to end the year the season will be looked at as a success for the team.

Castlemaine lost all 18 games in 2019 and all 12 last year before the competition was stopped due to Covid.

Predicted: LLLL – 9th

Maryborough (0-0-14, 26.40%)

Last four: Strathfieldsaye (H), Sandhurst (A), South Bendigo (H), Kyneton (A)

Maryborough looks likely to end the season winless, facing tough matches on the run home.

The team faces two finals teams in Strathfieldsaye and South Bendigo before facing other teams with plenty to play for.

Sandhurst and Kyneton will both be needing wins to secure their finals spot, which could spell danger for Maryborough.

Any win would end a long streak for the club in losses.

It currently sits at 24.

Predicted: LLLL – 10th