Bendigo Gold news

Bendigo, emerging as a premiership threat after a slow start to the season, clinched a place in the final eight but lost Adam Ramanauskas (back) in the opening minutes and Courtney Johns in the second quarter.

"Hille really started the game well. His centre-bounce work was outstanding," Bendigo coach Matthew Knights said.

"Late in the game he had some important touches, even in general play, and assisted us.

"Peverill was just a tireless worker all day.

The Bombers won 16.10 (106) to 15.9 (99) at Casey Fields, and with one round left in the home and away season now sit in seventh position on the ladder with 32 premiership points.

It's the first time the Bombers have found themselves sitting in the top-eight since way back in round five.

The Bombers will host joint flag-favourite Geelong in their final game this Sunday, but regardless of the outcome, they can't be dislodged from the top eight and can finish as high as sixth.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Bombers, who after six rounds sat in 11th position on the ladder with a 1-5 record.

"I'm really proud of the players because when you are 1-5 to start the year, it's a long way back from there," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said.

"To be 7-4 since that period, and the four games we have lost have been by minimal margins (16, 10, 15 and 33 points), we have been rewarded for our consistency by having a large percentage (109.10), which has been important in this tight season.

METRICON Bendigo Bombers coach Matthew Knights believes the next two games will be an ideal dress rehearsal for his side, should it be successful in snaring a berth in the VFL finals.

The Bombers have two games left in the home and away season, against the Casey Scorpions and Geelong, and are guaranteed a return to the finals if they win both games.

But it won't be easy, starting with the Scorpions at Casey Fields tomorrow.

The Scorpions have won six of their past seven games, and included in that run of good form was a 16-point victory over the Bombers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in round 11.

Geelong has been one of the most consistent sides all season.

The Cats sit second on the ladder with a 12-4 record, and along with Sandringham, are joint flag-favourites at $2.50.

From Bendigo Advertiser

FOOTY fans have been denied the chance to see Collingwood star Nathan Buckley make his long-awaited comeback in this Sunday's VFL clash in Bendigo.

Earlier this week, the Collingwood skipper and joint Brownlow medallist in 2003 declared he would comeback after long-term hamstring injuries at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It's not another injury setback that has derailed Buckley's run, but a decision by the Metricon Bendigo Bombers board to switch the game.

The battle between Bendigo and Williamstown will now be played at the home of the Bombers' affiliate, Essendon's Windy Hill.

Bendigo Bombers general manager Peter Lodewijks said on-going concerns about the condition of the QEO led to the round 18 clash being switched.

"In our opinion, the ground is in a bad state," Lodewijks said.

There were six matches contested by All Seasons Bendigo Football-Netball League clubs on the QEO last weekend.