Country footy Anzac Day blockbusters in Bendigo, O&M and Gippsland
Some big country footy clashes are being played on Anzac Day in the Bendigo, Ovens & Murray, Sunraysia, Hampden and Gippsland leagues.
The Weekly Times has nominated the five best match-ups and who should win. SOUTH BENDIGO v EAGLEHAWK, Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo
The call to make the South Bendigo-Eaglehawk clash a stand-alone Anzac Day fixture under lights at South's old digs at the QEO has proved an inspired one with both teams making the perfect start to 2025.
Rejuvenated South couldn't have made a better start with wins over last year's runner-up Gisborne and beaten preliminary finalist Strathfieldsaye.
Eaglehawk sits on top of the ladder undefeated with a massive percentage following wins against Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat.
Fortuitously, Eaglehawk has VFL-aligned players Lachlan Walker and Max Kennedy available due to Coburg having a bye, but the third member of the Coburg connection, Jesse Corigliano, is still out injured.
Co-coach Clayton Holmes also returns from suspension for Eaglehawk to play his first match of 2025.
In the win against Gisborne, South introduced three more recruits, Cal Crisp, James Davies and Jesse Collins, but has lost former coach Steve Stroobants to suspension.
Prediction: South Bendigo 6 points NORTH ALBURY v ALBURY, Bunton Park, North Albury
The two fierce Ovens & Murray rivals have been slugging it out on Anzac Day since the late 1990s.
North Albury squandered its best chance to beat Albury for the first since 2008 in the traditional fixture last year.
Young forward Josh Murphy could've been a Hopper hero forever, but his shot after the siren missed and North Albury lost by two points.
North Albury went on to reach the preliminary final last year and Albury missed finals for the first time since 2008.
Albury suffered an uncharacteristic 110-point thrashing from Wangaratta Rovers on Good Friday.
North Albury has suffered a major early season blow with star forward Josh Minogue with a broken thumb, but the Albury midfield will be weakened by the loss of Fletcher Carroll, who is in concussion protocols.
Prediction: North Albury 15 points TRARALGON v MORWELL, Traralgon Recreation Reserve
The old sparring partners go head-to-head under lights with Morwell's ability to curb the star power of Traralgon captain Tye Hourigan to be a major factor in the outcome.
Hourigan booted six goals in their mid-season draw between the two clubs last year.
His goalkicking heroics were again on show last round when Traralgon came from nowhere to grab victory late against Moe following the opening round defeat to Leongatha at home when Dyson Heppell laced up for the Parrots.
Morwell is on top of the ladder with two wins against Drouin and Warragul.
The return of man-mountain Isaac Abas to Morwell from three seasons at Morwell East has been a big factor in the promising start to 2025.
Prediction: Traralgon 12 points IMPERIALS v MILDURA, Brian Weightman Oval, Mildura
Imperials have made the perfect start to their flag defence with wins against Ouyen United and South Mildura and Mildura followed an opening round win against Red Cliffs with a loss to Robvinvale-Euston.
Imperials have played on their 36-player points limit in both victories with Queensland recruit Jai Fitzpatrick making an impressive start.
Ryan Hards, who has returned to Imperials from Donald, is set to play his first match since recovering from a hip injury.
Jayden Fox has kicked 16 goals in two matches and is on track to eclipse the 58 goals he booted last year for the eventual premiers.
Mildura coach Sam Kerridge is under an injury cloud heading into the match, but former SANFL player Brendan Dew is settling in nicely with 27 possessions last game.
Prediction: Imperials 32 points HAMILTON v PORTLAND, Melville Oval, Hamilton
After a winless stretch dating back to Anzac Day 2023, Portland has made a flying start to the Hampden league season.
Knocked over Koroit in round 1 by 53 points and followed up with a 34-point win against Terang-Mortlake.
Hamilton is winless, but led Warrnambool at three quarter time in round 1 before going down by six goals.
Also led Camperdown at the last change in round 2 before being run down again in the final term.
Portland coach Daniel Jackson other recruits, Tanner Lovell and Jake Edwards, are firing and Jeff Garlett kicked three goals in the season opener.
Jack English has been in the best players in both matches for Hamilton this season.
Prediction: Portland 26 points
Originally published as Five Anzac Day country footy blockbusters and tips
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