Golden Square out to end Gisborne’s season in straight sets
A Commonwealth Games medallist has returned to the goldfields city to provide some inspiration for her brother’s footy team.
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Golden Square is hoping a pep talk from Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jenna Strauch can help the team make their first Bendigo Football Netball League decider in six years.
Jenna was the special guest at the club on Thursday night ahead of the team’s preliminary final against Gisborne on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO).
The winner goes through to next week’s grand final against Strathfieldsaye.
Strauch, originally from Bendigo, is back home after winning silver medals in the 200m breaststroke at the World Championships in Budapest and at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
It comes after she finished in the top 10 in the same event at the Olympics last year.
Strauch is familiar to the club as her father and grandfather, Dean and Neville, life members at the Bulldogs.
Her brother Tom (Strauch) is a current player who will line up on the wing against Gisborne.
“She came and had a chat to us all about her experiences and also being in a professional environment,” he said.
“She said it’s about controlling the controllables and every individual needs to play their role to get the team to where it wants to be.
“If we become comfortable with each other and if we trust each other with our capabilities it will help us to make the grand final.
“She said communication is key when it comes to team sport.”
He said his sister had been instrumental in his drive to be a better footballer.
“She definitely helps me with nutrition and stuff with my game,” he revealed.
“She said if you chip away at it and over time do the right things it will eventually happen (have better nutrition and fitness).
“It’s helped her to get to where she is.”
Tom said he hopes to follow in her footsteps and achieve success with Golden Square this season.
A win this week would put him into his first senior grand final in Bendigo.
“I’ve got another brother and as siblings we’re so proud of her,” he said.
“It’s a journey we’ve all gone on.
“She’s definitely inspired us and me as a footballer
“She’s been really good to lean on when I need advice.”
Tom said it would be tough to beat the ladder leaders but takes confidence from their last meeting.
Golden Square, in muddy and wet condition, beat Gisborne last month by 10 points.
Similar conditions are expected for the contest at QEO.
“I reckon just doing the basics well will help us win,” Tom said.
“If we do the basics well we have a good chance.”
One of those basics is goalkicking, which hasn’t been the best in the finals series for the team.
Golden Square has kicked 17 goals and 40 behinds so far in two finals and their inaccuracy in week one cost them a chance of beating Strathfieldsaye.
Both teams will take on each other at 2.50pm.
Key players to watch for each team.
Paddy McKenna – Gisborne
The former VFL player and AFL listed player has kicked 61 goals in 12 matches this year for Gisborne.
Eight of those came in the last contest between the two sides.
If he gets going the Bulldogs are likely to be playing in a grand final next week.
Joel Brett – Golden Square
Can kick his 100th goal for the season this weekend if he kicks four against Gisborne.
Brett has been the leading goalkicker in the competition and has averaged more than four goals a game.
He kicked three goals last week in the team’s win over South Bendigo.
Jack Reaper – Gisborne
Reaper is one of the key defenders for the Bulldogs, playing almost every game this season for the side.
He is vital in helping the Bulldogs set up play behind the ball to repel every attack from the opposition.
Shutting down him will provide an avenue for the opposition to attack and score.
Jack Geary – Golden Square
The midfielder knows how to win the ball and was one of the best last week against South Bendigo.
Has been in the best players in 13 out of 20 games this season.
Geary will be a valuable player if the conditions are muddy and wet.
Brad Bernacki – Gisborne
The Essendon VFL midfielder returns to bolster Gisborne’s engine room just in time for a premiership tilt.
He’s played eight games for Gisborne this year and 11 at VFL level for the Bombers.
The Gisborne player has been described as a premier player by Storm rival Baxter Slater.
Jayden Burke – Golden Square
The forward has been one of the leading targets in the competition, alongside teammate Joel Brett.
Burke has kicked 54 goals in 19 matches but will be looking to lift against Gisborne.
He hasn’t kicked a goal all season against the minor premiers, a stat he will want to change in the final.
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