Grand Final

A NALDER Medal for best on ground in a senior premiership victory added to what was a remarkable football season by Sandhurst captain Lachlan Tardrew in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s senior footy action.

The Year of the Dragon was just that as Sandhurst claimed the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup for the first time in eight years.

Just days after being declared joint winner of the Michelsen Medal as league fairest and best with Gisborne’s Braidon Blake and Brad Bernacki it was Tardrew who had a dramatic impact in the grand final.

He became just the third player since the Nalder Medal was presented in 1983 to be a Michelsen Medallist, Nalder Medallist and premiership player in the same season.

The feat was first achieved by Gisborne rover Matt Fitzgerald in 2003, and by Sandhurst’s Kristian Height in 2016.

Centre clearances, ability to link up with team-mates, two goals and Tardrew’s superb leadership were all to the fore in a dramatic 68-64 victory.

Back at Sandhurst as a full-time player after a successful stint with Collingwood in the VFL, Tardrew said the victory meant so much to so many people.

“It’s not just what happens on-field, but the work by all the coaches, committee led by Mark O’Farrell, sponsors and volunteers.”

The joy that hard work brings was etched in the smiles of all involved with Sandhurst.

Tardrew’s first senior premiership victory was in 2016 with the Dragons.

Team-mates included ruckman Tim Martin, and on-ballers Kristian Height and Lee Coghlan who had won the Michelsen Medal, in Martin’s case, back-to-back.

“They were absolute stars and I learnt so much from them.

“In 2016 I was the young kid just trying to do my best.”

Eight years on and Tardrew led the Dragons to a 29^th premiership and first since 2016.

Among the many career highs was the Neville Strauch Memorial Trophy as Bendigo Pioneers club champion in what was the-then TAC Cup in 2015.

A team-mate in Saturday’s grand final was Dayten Uerata who kicked the first goal and was the Pioneers in this year’s Coates Talent Cup action.

Tardrew said Sandhurst had a great blend of experience and emerging talent.

“Nick Stagg and Joel Wharton just keep on going.”

Add in the young guns such as Uerata, Noah Walsh, Caleb Connick and Cobi Maxted and it’s a bright future in the den.

“We had Jack English win the league under-18s best and fairest and be a premiership captain. There is so much talent pushing for a place in the senior team.

“The Sandhurst culture is incredible. It’s a great club to be around.”

As he savours the moment of a premiership victory, Tardrew also looks forward to the challenge of being co-coach with Bryce Curnow as the Dragons eye back-to-back cup wins in ’25

RUNNER-UP in its past two A-grade netball grand finals, Kangaroo Flat will be desperate to make it third time lucky when it faces Gisborne in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final on Saturday.

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs will play at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 3pm.

Across this finals series the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have already broken several jinxes.

The Roos were staring at a fourth consecutive finals defeat going into a first semi-final against Eaglehawk.

Kangaroo Flat’s finals campaign began with a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final.

The Roos bounced back to beat the Hawks by 33 goals and then fought on to defeat Sandhurst by four goals in the preliminary final.

Belief and confidence are high in the Kangaroos’ camp as they take on the reigning premier.

It was one-all between the Roos and Bulldogs across the home-and-away series.

Many of the league’s superstars will be on court.

Kangaroo Flat centre and captain Chelsea Sartori began grand final week by winning the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best for the second year running.

A Roos’ mid-court that includes Sartori, Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks will play a crucial role.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has the class and experience of Kirby Elliott, Maddy Stewart and Tiana Newman.

Another player to watch in the red, white and blue is Emerson Lakey.

There’s plenty of goalscoring options for the Roos through the play of Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan and Annie Spear.

They take on a powerful Gisborne defence led by Zoe Davies and Charlee Kemp.

The Kangaroos will need strong defensive games from Stephanie Greene and Ingrid Hopkins against Claudia Mawson and Torie Skrijel.

It’s the first time in Gisborne’s history it plays for back-to-back A-grade premierhips.

The Bulldogs will be aiming to put the 2024 cup alongside those won in ’23 and 13.

Kangaroo Flat is chasing a ninth A-grade title.

Gisborne:

Rylee Connell, Zoe Davies, Kirby Elliott, Charlee Kemp, Emerson Lakey, Claudia Mawson, Tiana Newman, Torie Skrijel, Maddy Stewart, Demi Young.

Coach: Tarryn Rymer.

Kangaroo Flat:

Bronte Deary, Stephanie Greene, Ingrid Hopkins, Chloe Langley, Ave Lowndes, Ashlee O’Shea, Abbey Ryan, Ashley Ryan, Chelsea Sartori, Annie Spear, Milly Wicks, Megan Wilson.

Coach: Jayden Cowling.

Gisborne’s run so far:

Rd 1: bye.

Rd 2: d Sandhurst, 42-38 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Rd 3: bye.

Rd 4: d South Bendigo, 61-37 at Harry Trott Oval.

Rd 5: d Golden Square, 58-31 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 6: d Eaglehawk, 53-25 at Canterbury Park.

Rd 7: d Strathfieldsaye, 40-29 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 8: d Castlemaine, 67-53 at Camp Reserve.

Rd 9: lt Kangaroo Flat, 43-49 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 10: bye.

Rd 11: d Sandhurst, 42-31 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 12: bye.

Rd 13: d South Bendigo, 54-9 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 14: d Golden Square, 77-15 at Fur Life Oval.

Rd 15: d Eaglehawk, 67-13 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 16: d Strathfieldsaye, 65-26 at Triple M Park.

Rd 17: d Castlemaine, 106-12 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 18: d Kangaroo Flat, 53-31 at Dower Park.

2^nd semi-final: d Sandhurst, 51-38 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Kangaroo Flat’s trek:

Rd 1: lt Sandhurst, 39-46 at Dower Park.

Rd 2: bye.

Rd 3: d South Bendigo, 60-27 at Dower Park.

Rd 4: d Golden Square, 90-35 at Fur Life Oval.

Rd 5: d Eaglehawk, 76-15 at Dower Park.

Rd 6: d Strathfieldsaye, 59-31 at Triple M Park.

Rd 7: d Castlemaine, 86-33 at Dower Park.

Rd 8: bye.

Rd 9: d Gisborne, 49-43 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 10: lt Sandhurst, 42-47 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Rd 11: bye.

Rd 12: d South Bendigo, 54-31 at Harry Trott Oval.

Rd 13: d Golden Square, 74-27 at Dower Park.

Rd 14: d Eaglehawk, 75-26 at Canterbury Park.

Rd 15: d Strathfieldsaye, 63-26 at Dower Park.

Rd 16: d Castlemaine, 115-17 at Camp Reserve.

Rd 17: bye.

Rd 18: lt Gisborne, 31-53 at Dower Park.

Qualifying final: lt Sandhurst, 42-46 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

1^st semi-final: d Eaglehawk, 66-33 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Preliminary final:  d Sandhurst, 51-47 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

In the A-reserve competition, Gisborne takes on Strathfieldsaye from 1.30pm.

The unbeaten Gisborne team coached by Maddy Stewart will start favourite.

The Bulldogs won this season’s matches with Storm by margins of 15 and 22 goals in rounds seven and 16.

After finishing the home-and-away series in second place on a 12-4 record, Storm was beaten in the qualifying final clash with Sandhurst by 11 goals.

Gisborne marked a 43-36 victory against Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

A closely-fought preliminary final between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst went the way of the Kirsten Pollock-coached Storm by three goals.

Gisborne

Rylee Connell, Bella Connors, Sammi Cooke, Jemma Denman, Eloise Rodda, Olivia Rodda, Alex Russ, Tarryn Rymer, Polly Salter, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier, Demi Young.

Coach: Maddy Stewart.

Strathfieldsaye

Coach: Kirsten Pollock.

Victoria Carroll, Siarne Cass, Steph Freemantle, Ella Henry, Tahlee O’Keefe, Layla O’Shea, Lainey Pollard, Amaya Schmidt, Lucy Spalding, Gabbi Turner, Morgan Whatley.

In B-grade it’s Sandhurst against Gisborne from noon.

Both teams had 14-2 records as they finished the regular season in first and second place.

The Bulldogs beat the Dragons in round two on the QEO court by six goals.

Sandhurst won on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve in the 11^th round by seven goals.

The Dragons began their finals campaign by scoring an 11-goal win against Kangaroo Flat.

A week later and the Jarileey Schultz-coached Sandhurst was first to the grand final as it beat Gisborne in the second semi-final by four goals.

The Polly Salter-coached Gisborne hit back for a 57-38 victory against Kangaroo Flat in the preliminary final.

Sandhurst

Maya Dignan, Tahlia Isaac, Maggie Keating, Tarryn Knights, Kate McDougall, Lucy Sherriff, Lily Trimby, Bridget Turner, Elli Williams.

Coach: Jarileey Schultz.

Gisborne

Georgia Fearn, Shelley Farrugia, Olivia Fenn, Emma Joyce, Emily McDonald, Georgia Murray, Bridget Salter, Reese Sutton, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier.

Coach: Polly Salter.

After an unbeaten run to the finals, Sandhurst was beaten in the B-reserve second semi-final clash with Gisborne by five goals.

Stakes are higher as the Dragons and Bulldogs clash on Saturday from 10.30am.

Both of Gisborne’s defeats across the home-and-away series were against Sandhurst by 13 and 18 goals.

The Briannah Thompson-coached Gisborne played brilliant netball to win the qualifying final against Strathfieldsaye by 37 goals and then beat Sandhurst a week later.

A Sandhurst line-up coached by Rose Gallagher stayed in the premiership race as it beat Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final by 17 goals.

Gisborne

Kirsten Andrich, Brooke Bernacki, Charlotte Crook, Ellie Lord, Nirvana Martin, Sapphy McCarthy, Rebecca Merrett, Lily Prater, Taylah Ranieri, Niamh Rosendale, Brianah Thompson, Caytlyn Walker.

Coach: Briannah Thompson.

Sandhurst

Jess Baird, Bec Dine, Lucia Dyer, Briona Giddings, Sophie Giles, Kelsey Hamilton, Chloe Hann, Matilda Lockyer, Ava Perez, Ruby Walsh.

Coach: Rose Gallagher.

First-up on grand final day will be the 17-and-under teams from Sandhurst and Golden Square.

Their showdown will start at 9am.

Both dominated across the regular season for 15-1 records to be first and second.

The Carol Cathcart-coached Dragons won the round six match on Golden Square’s court in Fur Life Oval by 27 goals.

It was a two-goal thriller at the QEO in the 15^th round as the Clare Hope-coached Bulldogs claimed a 49-47 victory.

After a 10-goal win against Maryborough in the qualifying final, Golden Square could not stop Sandhurst’s run to a 60-39 victory in the second semi-final.

The blue and gold marked a 19-goal win against Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final.

Sandhurst

Tshari Brown, Charlie Coghill, Tahli Gilchrist, Lila Kelly, Claire McGee, Diana Napoleon, Meg Pearce, Neve Pinner, Jaida Raco, Milla Sherriff, Harriett Whiteacre.

Coach: Carol Cathcart.

Golden Square

Anya Basilewsky, Natalie Flood, Rachael Flood, Juliet Hogan, Lilly Hope, Emma Keating, Tess Mills, Kaylah Moon, Lucy Paton, Larni Taylor, Abbi Wells.

Coach: Clare Hope

SIX senior premierships is a feat not many footballers have achieved.

On Saturday it will be Golden Square captain Jack Geary aiming to join an elite club when he leads the Bulldogs against Sandhurst in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior grand final on Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It’s a seventh senior grand final for Geary who starred in his club’s golden era of five consecutive premierships from 2009 to ’13.

Team-mates in all of those triumphs were Mark Lloyd, Matt O’Toole and Dale Young.

Bulldogs’ coach Christian Carter was also with Geary in the grand final wins of ’09, ’11 and ’12, which added to the premiership he won 22 years ago.

A dual Nalder Medallist as best afield in a grand final is a testament to Geary’s ability to lift his game when the stakes go up.

A Victoria Country captain throughout a brilliant career, Geary was the Michelsen Medallist as the Bendigo FNL’s fairest and best in 2018.

Geary again features on that one day in September for the first time since the Dogs were beaten by Sandhurst in 2016.

“This group has been building toward this for some time,” Geary said after Thursday’s training session at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

“We had been thereabouts the past couple of years, but just not quite good enough.

“The belief among this team is excellent,” Geary said.

“We have improved and worked on a lot of areas leading into and then through the season.

“Forward entries and decision-making going into attack are a lot better.

“We needed to do that well against Sandhurst in the second semi, and have to again in a grand final.

“Sandhurst is such a great defensive team.

“The way we move the ball and giving our forwards the best chance on a lead or at ground level is really important.”

Whether it be Joel Brett, Braydon Vaz, Jack Stewart or any other player in the forward zone, Geary said there is a lot of confidence they can win or halve a one-on-one contest.

There will be many important duels, especially on-ball and midfield where Golden Square has the likes of Matt Compston, Ryan Hartley, Thomas Toma, Ricky Monti and Jack Hickman.

After such an amazing run of premiership success in the early years of his career, Geary is desperate for more.

The Bulldogs have not won a grand final since 2013.

“You never take a premiership for granted. It takes a lot of work by so many.

“At times you wonder if you will ever challenge for a grand final again.

“We have earned that and must make the most of it.”

Among Jack Geary’s greatest supporters are wife, Samantha, and children Quinn, two, and Luca, three months.

Although his role has changed markedly since a decade ago, Geary’s leadership and running power put him among the league’s elite.

Geary kicked off this season by marking his 200^th senior game in round one.

He will aim to end it by holding another premiership medal.

PHOTO: Darren Howe, Bendigo Advertiser

GISBORNE takes a shot at consecutive A-grade netball premierships for the first time in its Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL history in Saturday’s grand final.

A talented Kangaroo Flat team which is striving to end a premiership drought of eight years stands in Gisborne’s way as they take to the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street at 3pm.

If results of Gisborne’s two premiership wins are anything to go by then fans can expect another thriller.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat Sandhurst by a goal as last September’s finale went into overtime.

Only showdown between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat for the A-grade title was in 2013 when the red, white and blue won 39-38.

The Kangaroos are vying for a ninth A-grade premiership.

At Wednesday night’s media conference in the lead-up to the grand final, Gisborne coach Tarryn Rymer spoke about the quest for back-to-back premierships.

“It’s something we have never had the opportunity to play for,” Rymer said.

This season’s meetings between the teams stand at one-all.

Kangaroo Flat won at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round nine by four goals.

The Bulldogs took the points in a 53-31 victory on the Kangaroos’ court in the 18^th round in Dower Park.

“Defensively it was one of our best matches of the season,” Rymer said.

“We generated a lot of pressure, let go of the ball quickly and capped off attacks with goals.”

Although it was a 22-goal margin, Rymer is wary of an opponent which carries plenty of confidence into the season decider.

“Kangaroo Flat has a great ability to re-invent itself.”

After a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final, Kangaroo Flat bounced back to beat Eaglehawk in the first semi-final.

The Roos then faced long-time nemesis, Sandhurst in the preliminary final and won by four goals.

“Kangaroo Flat is in great form,” Rymer said.

“Limiting the impact Chelsea Sartori and Ash Ryan have in mid-court will be important.”

Grand final week tipped off with Sartori claiming back-to-back Betty Thompson Medal wins as the competition’s fairest and best players.

There’s plenty of star power in a Gisborne line-up which has Kirby Elliott and Claudia Mawson as co-captains.

“The return of Zoe Davies was a huge plus for us,” Rymer said of the gun defender who played in England with Leeds Rhinos.

“We have been able to move players to various positions and have quite a lot of combinations to use.”

After finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, Gisborne won the second semi-final against Sandhurst and earned a week’s rest.

“Being able to stick to our game plan and slow the tempo when we need to is really important.”

A 13-1 run record across the home-and-away series was a sign of Gisborne’s dominance.

“The great thing about all of our team is the want to improve, individually and as a team,” Rymer said.

Netball has played a massive part in Jayden Cowling’s life since he first played the game in grade two.

A long-time coach at the Roos he has marked premiership success in A-reserve and B-grade, but not the top bracket just yet.

He said a “straight sets” exit in last year’s finals series stung.

“It didn’t sit well with any of us.

“We have worked hard to make this grand final.”

A gun centre and captain of the Roos’ team, Chelsea Sartori said the standard of play across the Bendigo FNL has risen dramatically the past few seasons.

“There are a lot now playing with VNL clubs and then you have Claudia (Mawson) and Charlotte Sexton who have gone to a higher level.

“The ferocity of matches, especially between the top three teams is amazing.”

Cowling said Kangaroo Flat’s mind-set focused on belief.

“It’s about can do and we will.

“We beat Gisborne earlier in the year, match-up well against them, and learnt a lot from last time we played them.”

The Roos’ off-court leader said there were many crucial contests to be played.

“There are stars everywhere.

“One of the best to watch will be our wing defence, Milly Wicks against Maddy Stewart.

“Another will be Ingrid Hopkins in defence against Claudia Mawson.”

The Roos’ have plenty of goalscoring options led by Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan and Annie Spear.

It’s not a first grand final for Cowling who also has great support from family.

Among his biggest influences is older sister, Lauren Bowles who is a multiple premiership-winning player and coach of the Winslow White Hills Demons.

Opposition coaches on Saturday, Jayden Cowling and Tarryn Rymer teamed up as coach and assistant coach of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in its first Victorian Netball League season.

There will be plenty of red, white and blue courtside on Saturday as Gisborne has four teams vying for grand final glory.

In A-reserve, Gisborne takes on the surging Strathfieldsaye Storm.

It’s Gisborne and Sandhurst in action across the B-grade and B-reserve finals.

Play begins at 9am when Sandhurst and Golden Square contest the 17-and-under grand final

GISBORNE celebrated back-to-back A-grade netball premierships for the first time since it joined the league in Saturday’s grand finale to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

It was a two-goal thriller between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat on the court in Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The chances of the Tarrryn Rymer-coached Gisborne being premier looked forlorn in the third quarter as Kangaroo Flat bounced away to a nine-goal lead.

The Bulldogs lifted their attacking intent, defended strongly and young goaler Torie Skrijel was superb in and around the circle on her way to claiming the best on court award.

A powerful attack of Skrijel and Claudia Mawson made the most of their chances as Gisborne charged to a memorable 43-41 victory.

Rymer said Kangaroo Flat’s pressure was outstanding.

There were plenty of stand-outs for Gisborne, including Maddy Stewart who was courtside for last September’s grand final after spending most of last year overseas.

Stewart added a second A-grade premiership medal to the two Betty Thompson medals she has earned as a league fairest and best player.

A key to Gisborne’s charge to cut the deficit and then take the lead was Emerson Lakey in mid-court.

The match featured many of the region’s best mid-courters as Kangaroo Flat was led by centre and dual Betty Thompson medallist Chelsea Sartori, and talented wing defence Milly Wicks.

Kangaroo Flat coach Jayden Cowling said the team would rue the final quarter fade-out.

“I was really proud of our efforts, but you can’t just play three quarters of netball.”

Cowling said many passages of play in the grand final were the best the Roos had put together all season.

Gisborne’s premiership-winning team:

Rylee Connell, Zoe Davies, Kirby Elliott, Charlee Kemp, Emerson Lakey, Claudia Mawson, Tiana Newman, Torie Skrijel, Maddy Stewart, Demi Young.

Coach: Tarryn Rymer.

A huge day of netball for Gisborne’s players and fans involved featuring in four of five matches.

The Bulldogs left the QEO with a two-two tally.

In A-reserve, a goal on the last shot of the day clinched a 40-39 victory for Strathfieldsaye against Gisborne.

Best on court honours went to Strathfieldsaye’s Victoria Carroll.

The premiership capped a great season by goaler Lucy Spalding who earned the Jenni Holborn Medal as the competition’s fairest and best player.

It was a remarkable effort by the Kirsten Pollock-coached Storm which surged back from an 11-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final to win the first semi-final against Maryborough by 10 goals.

Storm then beat Sandhurst by three goals in the preliminary final.

Strathfieldsaye’s premiership-winning team:

Victoria Carroll, Siarne Cass, Steph Freemantle, Ella Henry, Tahlee O’Keefe, Layla O’Shea, Lainey Pollard, Amaya Schmidt, Lucy Spalding, Gabbi Turner, Morgan Whatley.

Coach: Kirsten Pollock.

It was a one-goal thriller in B-grade as Gisborne took on Sandhurst.

Hannah Weir earned best on court honours in a 46-45 victory for the red, white and blue.

The Polly Salter-coached Gisborne was beaten in the second semi-final showdown with Sandhurst by four goals.

In the match which matters most it was the Bulldogs who fought on for a memorable victory.

Gisborne’s premiership-winning team:

Georgia Fearn, Shelley Farrugia, Olivia Fenn, Emma Joyce, Emily McDonald, Georgia Murray, Bridget Salter, Reese Sutton, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier.

Coach: Polly Salter.

It was a Sandhurst and Gisborne showdown for the B-reserve title.

After an unbeaten run to the finals, Sandhurst was beaten in the second semi-final clash with Gisborne by five goals.

On Saturday it was the Rose Gallagher-coached Dragons which controlled a lot of the play to score a 39-33 victory.

Best on court honours went to Claire McGee.

Sandhurst’s premiership-winning team:

Jess Baird, Bec Dine, Lucia Dyer, Briona Giddings, Sophie Giles, Kelsey Hamilton, Chloe Hann, Matilda Lockyer, Ava Perez, Ruby Walsh.

Coach: Rose Gallagher.

Grand final day began with the 17-and-under match between Sandhurst and Golden Square.

The previous two meetings between the teams ended in a two-goal win for Golden Square in round 15, and a 21-goal victory for the Dragons in the second semi-final.

On grand final day it was the Carol Cathcart-coached Sandhurst which played brilliant netball to record a 62-32 victory.

Best on court honours to Sandhurst’s Harriet Whiteacre.

Sandhurst’s premiership-winning team:

Tshari Brown, Charlie Coghill, Tahli Gilchrist, Lila Kelly, Claire McGee, Diana Napoleon, Meg Pearce, Neve Pinner, Jaida Raco, Milla Sherriff, Harriett Whiteacre.

Coach: Carol Cathcart

GISBORNE will be chasing a premiership hat-trick on Saturday when it tackles Sandhurst in the Sportspower under-18s clash on Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final day.

The showdown between the Bulldogs and Dragons on Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street starts at 9.15am.

A great run by Sandhurst across the home-and-away series ended in a 15-1 record and top spot on the ladder.

The Dragons won the second semi-final against Golden Square by two points.

Gisborne’s run in the finals began with a 47-point loss to Golden Square in the qualifying final.

A week later and Gisborne defeated Castlemaine in the first semi-final by 15 points.

The battle of the Bulldogs in the preliminary final ended in a two-point victory for Golden Square.

It was two-nil Sandhurst’s way against Gisborne in the home-and-away series.

The Dragons won 77-24 in round two on Queen Elizabeth Oval, and 67-34 in Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in the 11^th round.

Grand final week kicked off with two of Sandhurst’s best, Jack English and Oscar Cail being at Michelsen Medal and Betty Thompson Medal night to be presented with league awards.

A gun on-baller, English earned the George Symons Medal as the competition’s fairest and best.

Cail kicked 51 goals to lead the goalkicking race.

Both will play crucial roles as Sandhurst aims to end a run of five consecutive grand finals and claim the under-18s cup for the first time in a decade.

Players to watch in the maroon and blue include Deakin Andrews, Billy Bassett, Thomas Davie, Charles Duke, Logan Kilcullen, David McNair and Daniel Noden.

The Dragons team is jointly coached by Jarrod Bateson, a gun midfielder in stints with Sandhurst and Natte Bealiba, and also Isaac Ruff who will play in Sandhurst’s defence in the senior grand final.

Sandhurst is a long-time power in the under-18s competition, especially during the Ben Dyett-coached era.

Gisborne has plenty of goalscoring options.

Leading goalkickers for the Bulldogs are Lucas Hannon and Jack Rutten, 21 goals; Jye Zerafa, 18; and Marcus Trakosas, 17.

Key players for the Jordan Ryan-coached Bulldogs include August Stelma at centre half-back, ruckman Hugo Olive, Jacob Floreani in the centre, Wilhem Mackay, Diesel Lewis and Noah Gauci.

Sandhurst:

B: Henry Edwards, Davis McNair, Zane Connick.

Hb: Harvey White, Deakin Andrews, Jaxon Howard.

C: Declan Stevenson, Jack English, Darby Whatley.

Hf: Charles Duke, Daniel Noden, Finlay Lockhart.

F: Logan Kilcullen, Oscar Cail, Lachlan Borchard.

Foll: Thomas Davie, Billy Bassett, Gus Hay.

Inter: Joseph Artavilla, Shannon Tardrew, Charles Kealy, Jacob Austin.

Coaches: Jarrod Bateson, Isaac Ruff.

Gisborne:

B: Jordan Brewer, Baden Dickins, Noah Gauci.

Hb: Lachlan Evans, August Stelma, Will Watson.

C: Harrison Bryant, Jacob Floreani, Thomas Dawson.

Hf: Charlie Ozanne, Wilhem Mackay, Lucas Hannon.

F: Marcus Trakosas, Jack Rutten, Jye Zerafa.

Foll: Hugo Olive, Diesel Lewis, Campbell Johns.

Inter: Harry Young, James Bullen, Brodie Clarke, Noah Kontossis.

Coach: Jordan Ryan

RUNNER-UP last September, Sandhurst is desperate to grab the Bendigo Advertiser senior footy premiership cup when it takes on Gisborne in Saturday’s Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final.

The Dragons and Bulldogs will clash from 2.20pm on Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street.

At Wednesday night’s media conference in the Dragons’ den, Sandhurst co-coach Bryce Curnow spoke about the hunger generated from last September’s grand final loss to Golden Square.

“We have worked incredibly hard to gain another chance at winning a premiership,” Curnow said of the effort put in by the players and co non-playing coach Ash Connick.

It was one-all between the Dragons and the Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs in the home-and-away series.

When they met in the second semi-final the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne won by 23 points.

“We had our chances to win the game,” Curnow said.

“Three goals in the first four minutes really upped the pressure on us.

“From there we had plenty of the footy, but just didn’t score enough goals.

“Defensively, Gisborne was better than us.”

A huge challenge for Sandhurst will be the on-ball duels and centre clearances.

“Gisborne is incredibly tough to beat in that area,” Curnow said of gun ruckman Braidon Blake and centreman Brad Bernacki who polled 20 votes to tie with Sandhurst captain and gun on-baller/mid Lachlan Tardrew for the Michelsen Medal as league fairest and best.

“There will be times where Blake will give them first use through his tapwork. We have to work hard to limit his influence.”

Curnow believes Sandhurst ruckman Connor Sexton is up to to the task, along with Noah Walsh, Lachlan Tardrew, Lachie Hood, and Nick Stagg.

It will be a big grand final day for Dragons’ defender Isaac Ruff who is co-coach of Sandhurst’s under-18s team with Jarrod Bateson which takes on Gisborne’s young guns.

Ruff said the Dragons’ leaders and more experienced players such as Nick Stagg and Joel Wharton who marks his 200^th game in the grand final played a big part in the preliminary final win.

He said their influence on the group at three quarter-time against Strathfieldsaye was crucial.

“We carry the momentum from the win against Storm into a grand final.”

Ruff’s first year with Sandhurst was the under-18s team in 2016.

He played his first senior game in 2017 and is part of a tight-knit defence that includes Liam Ireland, Bryce Curnow, Isaac Carracher, James Coghlan and Harrison Free.

On the coaching front he is incredibly proud of what the under-18s team has done.

“They had just the one loss in the home-and-away, but Gisborne is playing great footy, too.”

Since his first senior game with Gisborne in 2017, Jack Reaper has become a crucial part of the Bulldogs’ defence.

He will be gunning for victory and also to join the “premiership captain’s club”.

Reaper said watching on at last year’s finals had spurred many of his team-mates.

“To have seven teams (three footy, four netball) in the grand finals is a fantastic result for the club.”

After the premiership glory of ’22, Gisborne dropped to the seventh rung.

“We knew there would be quite a turnover of players after the grand final,” he said.

The Bulldogs still have 10 players from the ’22 grand final who will play in Saturday’s clash.

Injuries did not help in last season’s run, but it gave Gisborne a chance to blood many talented youngsters.

Some of those have kicked on to become key contributors on a consistent basis.

Among them are Harry Luxmoore across half-forward and Dylan Johnstone on a wing.

“They are 19 or 20 and have played brilliant footy all season,” Reaper said.

A Rod Ashman medallist as best afield in Gisborne’s under-18s grand final victory in 2022, Jarrod Ainsworth has seamlessly slotted into a defence led by Reaper, Jed Denahy and Liam Spear.

A key to the Bulldogs’ victory against the Dragons two weeks ago was a high pressure rating.

“Sandhurst is a really skillful team and has a lot of running power,” he said of an opposition that includes Cooper Smith and Noah Walsh.

“We worked really hard to limit the space they could run to.”

A sign of Gisborne’s desperation was a tally of more than 70 tackles.

A lot of the focus on beating the Bulldogs is on limiting the impact ruckman Braidon Blake, and on-ballers Brad Bernacki, Flynn Lakey and Jackson Cardillo have on the game.

“It’s not just about their brilliant skills, but work rate when opponents have control in the play.

“They work incredibly hard to put pressure on and get back to support the defence.”

In attack there’s Pat McKenna, Zac Denahy, Jack Scanlon and Harry Luxmoore to capitalise or create scoring chances.

A tight-knit back six for Gisborne includes Zac Vescovi, Jake Normington and Frank Schipano.

They face a huge challenge against Sandhurst’s marking power of Ron Best medallist Fergus Greene who has kicked 82 goals so far, along with Cobi Maxted and Lachlan Wright.

“Jed and Fergus had a great battle in the second semi. It’s one of our most important match-ups.”

Being a “stingy defence” is what Reaper and all in Gisborne’s back six take great pride in.

For both teams it’s not just about kicking goals, but also making it tough to be scored against

PREMIERSHIP captain can now be added to Jack Geary’s incredible list of achievements with Golden Square Football Club.

Not only did the 32-year-old mark a sixth grand final victory in Saturday’s finale to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy season he was adjudged best afield against Sandhurst.

It was the third time in his career Geary was presented with the Nalder Medal.

“The Nalder Medal is the cherry on top,” Geary said.

“The goal was to do what I could to help the team win another premiership.

“It had been a long time since we had won a grand final.”

After marking a fifth consecutive premiership in 2013, Geary had played in just one more grand final – the 2016 loss to Sandhurst.

He had been captain for eight years and at times wondered if Golden Square would challenge for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup before he called time on his playing days.

On Saturday he started right in the thick of the action at the centre ball-up and later had a great impact across half-back.

In the final quarter it was Geary who made some big plays as Golden Square was under intense pressure from the Dragons’ attacks.

“It was too long to go to try and hold the ball up and go ultra-defensive,” Geary said of the last five minutes of a great contest and season.

“I was able to be in the right spot a few times.”

Geary’s running power is a major strength of his game.

The amount of times he was in position to win or influence a contest, dish-off the footy or receive was uncanny.

It happened too many times to be luck.

“My running ability  and workrate have always been the main areas of my game,” Geary said.

“I cannot leap above a pack like Hamish Morcom or take a strong pack mark like Jon Coe, so it’s running which is a big part of my game.”

Golden Square now goes from being in the chasing pack to leading the pack.

“We will be the hunted again,” Geary said of going into next season.

It’s a challenge he has faced many times before.

“There is so much talent in this group and the age demographic is ideal.

“The club has been longing for a bit of success for a long time.”

Premiership-winning coach Christian Carter who had been a team-mate with Geary in past grand final wins praised his outstanding play.

“Leading into the match I spoke to Jack about one of the few things missing from his footy CV was premiership captain,” Carter said.

“I have never seen a better big game player for Golden Square than Jack.”

It’s a praise that was hard-earned by a player who is likely to one day be elevated to the Bendigo FNL Hall of Fame.

With the season now complete, let's take the opportunity to review 2023, starting with congratulating all individual award winners from the Michelsen Medal event, and Grand Final Day

See the full list of season 2023 winners as below:

BART ‘N’ PRINT RISING STAR AWARDS:

• Football: Taj Bond (Maryborough FNC).
• Netball: Charlotte Sexton (Sandhurst FNC)

SING MEDAL – 17/U NETBALL

• Winner of the Sing Medal 2023: Ella Patten (Maryborough FNC) (30 votes)
• Runners Up of the Sing Medal 2023: Neve Pinner (Sandhurst FNC) (28 votes)

B RESERVE NETBALL

• JOINT-Winner of the B Reserve Netball 2023: Isabelle Whiteley (Sandhurst FNC) (26 votes)
• JOINT-Winner of the B Reserve Netball 2023: Ashlye Faulkner (Kangaroo Flat FNC) (26 votes)
• Runners Up of the B Reserve Netball 2023: Kirsandra Shepherd (South Bendigo FNC) (24 votes)

BINGHAM MEDAL - B GRADE NETBALL

• Winner of the B Grade Netball 2023: Baylee Eve (Kyneton FNC) (32 votes)
• Runner up: Isabel Eliades (Eaglehawk FNC) (25 votes)

HOLBORN MEDAL – A RESERVE GRADE NETBALL

• Winner of the A Reserve Grade Netball 2023: Kelsey Ralph (Sandhurst FNC) (25 votes)
• Runners Up of the A Reserve Grade Netball 2023: Stephanie Greene (South Bendigo FNC) (22 votes)

GEORGE SYMONS MEDAL – U/18 FOOTBALL

• Winner of the George Symons Medal 2023: Tom Myers (Maryborough FNC) (25 votes)

McDONALD MEDAL – RESERVES FOOTBALL

• Winner of the McDonald Medal 2023: Boyd Nalder (Gisborne FNC) (16 votes)

17 & UNDER NETBALL – BEST PLAYER REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAM:

• Bella Connors (Gisborne FNC)

OPEN NETBALL – BEST PLAYER REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAM:

• Claudia Mawson (Gisborne FNC)

COFFEE STORM LEADING GOAL KICKING AWARDS:

• Sportspower Under 18: Alex Carr (Sandhurst FNC) 52 goals
• Reserves Football: Ryan Wellington (Eaglehawk FNC) 55 goals
• Ron Best Medal (Seniors): Lachlan Sharp (Strathfieldsaye FNC) 93 goals

BETTY THOMPSON MEDAL – A GRADE NETBALL

• Winner of A Grade Netball 2023: Chelsea Sartori (Kangaroo Flat FNC) (25 votes)
• Runners Up of A Grade Grade Netball 2023: Shae Clifford (Sandhurst FNC) (22 votes)

MICHELSEN MEDAL – SENIOR FOOTBALL

• Winner of the Michelsen Medal 2023: Noah Wheeler (Eaglehawk FNC) (24 votes)

GRAND FINALS: 

17 & UNDER NETBALL

• Gisborne 50 def Sandhurst 49 
• Best on Court - Bella Connors (Gisborne)

B-RESERVE NETBALL

• Kangaroo Flat 48 def Sandhurst 41
• Best on Court - Lydia Lowndes (Kangaroo Flat)

B-GRADE NETBALL

• Sandhurst 56 def Gisborne 45 
• Best on Court - Elli Williams (Sandhurst)

A-RESERVE NETBALL

• Sandhurst 43 def Gisborne 33
• Best on Court - Charlotte Sexton (Sandhurst)

A-GRADE NETBALL

• Gisborne 40 def Sandhurst 39 
• Best on Court - Claudia Mawson (Gisborne)

UNDER 18 FOOTBALL

• Gisborne 8.5.53 def Golden Square 7.7.49
• Rod Ashman Medal: James Gray (Gisborne)
• AFL Victoria Worksafe Medal: Jack McMahon (Golden Square)

RESERVES FOOTBALL

• Sandhurst 8.5.53 def Eaglehawk 5.6.36
• R.F Turner Medal: Harrison Free (Sandhurst)

SENIORS FOOTBALL

• Golden Square 10.11.71 def Sandhurst 9.11.65
• Nalder Medal: Jack Geary (Golden Square)
• AFL Victoria Worksafe Medal: Noah Walsh (Sandhurst)

SANDHURST is celebrating winning all three footy premierships in the one season for the first time in its 163-year history.

Founded on the goldfields in 1861, Sandhurst is one of the oldest football clubs in the country.

On Saturday the Dragons roared to premiership glory in all three grades of footy in a grand finale to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League season.

The Dragons tackled Gisborne in all three football contests on Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Strong defensive efforts and the ability to capitalise with the breeze in the third quarter were crucial factors in Sandhurst fighting on for a 68-64 victory.

Although it played into the breeze the Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 19-12 at quarter-time.

The Bulldogs made a change from their ‘named’ team as the experienced Jarrad Lynch was in for Patrick Trotta.

When Pat McKenna was on target the Bulldogs led by 14 points in the second term.

The Dragons answered through Matt Wilkinson.

Sandhurst also lifted its workrate at stoppages as captain Lachlan Tardrew, Noah Walsh and James Coghlan were to the fore.

A set-shot from Jake McLean on the angle meant the Dragons led 28-26 at half-time.

In the third was when the Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, coached Dragons fired up.

A shot from Harrison Free from the 50m arc, another by Lachie Hood from distance and a major by the elusive and skilful Joel Wharton put the maroon and blue up by 21 points.

Gisborne had to respond and did so with a goal by the classy Matt Merrett.

From the  centre ball-up it was Tardrew who won possession, sprinted clear and goaled from just inside the 50m arc.

A second major by McLean gave the Dragons a 27-point buffer going into the final quarter of the season.

Goals by Flynn Lakey and Matt Merrett had cut the margin to 15 points by the three-minute mark.

Sandhurst’s ability to rack up the stoppages and deny Gisborne a clear run into attack was superb.

The Bulldogs did break through the defence when a long by captain Jack Reaper was marked by Harry Luxmoore to kick his first goal.

After a spectacular leap and mark, Fergus Greene’s shot skewed to the left as the Dragons led by 10 points.

When Greene swooped on the ball from a marking contest and goaled on the run Sandhurst was up 68-52.

McKenna sprinted into space and marked to kick his third goal of the match.

A brilliant tackle by James Gray to earn a free resulted in one of the goals of day from the 50m arc.

The Dragons won the centre clearance, but Liam Spear took possession at half-back and cleared to the Bendigo Aquatic Centre wing.

From the boundary throw-in a high kick went to Gisborne’s half-forward line and another stoppage.

Dragons’ ruckman Connor Sexton was freed in the ensuing ball-up.

A kick to the outer wing led to another pack mark by Greene.

He passed to Curnow who in turn found young gun Dayten Uerata who had the final kick of a remarkable match as the Dragons celebrated a league record 29^th premiership.

A brilliant season for Tardrew was capped with the Nalder Medal as best afield.

Grand final week kicked off with Tardrew being joint winner of the Michelsen Medal as league fairest and best with Gisborne’s dynamic on-ball duo of ruckman Braidon Blake and centreman Brad Bernacki.

The intercept marking and spoils by Lachlan Wright across the half-back line for the Dragons earned the Worksafe AFL Victoria Medal.

Others to star for Sandhurst were James Coghlan, Noah Walsh, Bryce Curnow and Cobi Maxted.

Gisborne’s best were captain and key defender Jack Reaper, Liam Spear, Macklan Lord, Zac Vescovi, Frank Schipano, and rising star Jarrod Ainsworth.

Just as the sting of grand final defeat 12 months ago spurred the Dragons on, Gisborne coach Rob Waters said it would be the same for his club.

A great sign for the Bulldogs is the calibre of talent in the under-25 age bracket.

An incredible day for Sandhurst included winning the reserves and under-18s premierships.

The Dragons became just the fourth club to achieve the feat.

A premiership trifecta was first marked by Golden Square in 1964 and followed by South Bendigo in 1990, Gisborne in 2002, and Strathfieldsaye in 2017.

On Saturday it was Sandhurst which dominated the reserves grand final against Gisborne.

The Jake McLean-coached Dragons raced to a 25-3 lead by quarter-time as the skillful Jasper Stewart roved a marking contest to goal and shortly later nailed a snapshot.

The Bulldogs were staring at a sizeable deficit when Jed Zimmer and James Vlaeminck goaled.

Gisborne broke the deadlock in the 13^th minute of quarter two through Tom Wood.

A snap by Brodie Montague from the pocket went through and when Stewart booted his third the Dragons led by 34 points.

Gisborne scored 2.4 in the last, but the maroon and blue added three straight goals to seal a 71-35 victory and back-to-back premierships.

The R.F. Turner Medal for best afield was presented to Rory Ellett from Sandhurst.

Best for the Dragons included Tom Calvert, Wil Pinniger, Jasper Stewart and Brodie Montague.

Gisborne’s best were Jacob Murphy, Max Ramsay, Kane Minns and Leon Thiner.

A nine-goal streak by Sandhurst’s under-18s team was one of the season’s best in the biggest game of the season.

The Jarrod Bateson and Isaac Ruff-coached Dragons kicked on for a 69-point victory against Gisborne.

The Bulldogs were eyeing a premiership hat-trick, but a Sandhurst team determined to claim the under-18s cup for the first time in a decade was too strong.

The teams were locked on a goal each for a lot of the first quarter.

Inspired by the play of Logan Kilcullen, Sandhurst led 19-9 at quarter-time and then opened up a 41-point lead by half-time.

Sandhurst’s pressure did not ease up as Kilcullen and Oscar Cail went on to kick three goals and Daniel Noden added two.

By the final siren the Dragons led 86-17.

The Rod Ashman Medal for best afield was presented to Logan Kilcullen.

Dragons’ on-baller Billy Bassett earned the Worksafe AFL Victoria Medal.

The Dragons’ best included Darby Whatley, Jaxon Howard and Finlay Lockhart.

Premiership-winning captain Jack English added another medal to the George Symons Medal he claimed as fairest and best in the competition.

Gisborne’s best were  Campbell Johns, Diesel Lewis, Jacob Floreani and August Stelma.

Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL footy grand finals scoreboard at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

Bendigo Bank seniors:

Sandhurst 2.0 4.4 9.7 10.8 (68)

Gisborne 3.1 4.2 5.4 10.4 (64)

GOALS –  Sandhurst: Jake McLean, Lachlan Tardrew 2, Harrison Free, Fergus Greene, Lachie Hood, Dayten Uerata, Joel Wharton, Matt Wilkinson. Gisborne: Pat McKenna 3, Matt Merrett 2, Brad Bernacki, Ryan Bourke, James Gray, Flynn Lakey, Harry Luxmoore.

BEST – Sandhurst: Lachlan Tardrew, Lachlan Wright, James Coghlan, Noah Walsh, Bryce Curnow, Cobi Maxted. Gisborne: Jack Reaper, Liam Spear, Macklan Lord, Zac Vescovi, Frank Schipano, Jarrod Ainsworth.

Nalder medal: Lachlan Tardrew, Sandhurst.

Worksafe AFL Victoria medal: Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst.

Sandhurst’s team:

B: Isaac Carracher, Liam Ireland, Isaac Ruff.

Hb: James Coghlan, Bryce Curnow, Noah Walsh.

C: Caleb Connick, Cooper Smith, Lachie Hood.

Hf: Jake McLean, Lachlan Wright, Matt Wilkinson.

F: Joel Wharton, Cobi Maxted, Fergus Greene.

Foll: Connor Sexton, Lachlan Tardrew, Nick Stagg.

Inter: Harrison Free, Zach Pallpratt, Darcy Mills, Dayten Uerata.

Coaches: Ash Connick, non-playing; Bryce Curnow, playing.

Drummond Golf reserves:

Sandhurst 4.1 6.1 8.5 11.5 (71)

Gisborne 0.3 1.6 2.7 4.11 (35)

GOALS – Sandhurst: Jasper Stewart 3, Luke Crawford, James Vlaeminck 2, Hayden Gillingham, Martin Leyden, Brodie Montague, Jed Zimmer. Gisborne: Tom Wood 2, Matthew Barake, Ed Williams.

BEST – Tom Calvert, Wil Pinniger, Jasper Stewart, Brodie Montague, Campbell Rowland, Rory Ellett. Gisborne: Jacob Murphy, Max Ramsay, Kane Minns, Leon Thiner, Zach Paterson, Ed Williams.

R.F. Turner medal: Rory Ellett, Sandhurst.

Sandhurst’s team:

B: Campbell Rowland, Tom Calvert, Conor O’Farrell.

Hb: Martin Leyden, Matt Campbell, Tanner Nally.

C: Jack Keating, Jed Zimmer, Wil Pinniger.

Hf: Patrick O’Farrell, Alex Wharton, Oscar Perez.

F: Jasper Stewart, Luke Crawford, Wilson Butler.

Foll: Rory Ellett, Charlie Robinson, Brodie Montague.

Inter: James Barber, Tom Dunham, Hayden Gillingham, James Vlaeminck.

Coach: Jake McLean.

Sportspower under-18s:

Sandhurst 3.1 7.8 9.10 12.14 (86)

Gisborne 1.3 1.3 1.4 2.5 (17)

GOALS – Sandhurst: Logan Kilcullen, Oscar Cail 3, Daniel Noden 2, Joseph Artavilla, Billy Bassett, Lachlan Borchard, Jack English. Gisborne: Charlie Ozanne, Diesel Lewis.

BEST – Logan Kilculllen, Darby Whatley, Jaxon Howard, Finlay Lockhart, Gus Hay, Billy Bassett. Gisborne: Campbell Johns, Diesel Lewis, Jacob Floreani, August Stelma, Lucas Hannon, Baden Dickins.

Rod Ashman Medal: Logan Kilcullen, Sandhurst.

Worksafe AFL Victoria Medal: Billy Bassett, Sandhurst.

Sandhurst’s team:

B: Henry Edwards, Davis McNair, Zane Connick.

Hb: Harvey White, Deakin Andrews, Jaxon Howard.

C: Declan Stevenson, Jack English, Darby Whatley.

Hf: Charles Duke, Daniel Noden, Finlay Lockhart.

F: Logan Kilcullen, Oscar Cail, Lachlan Borchard.

Foll: Thomas Davie, Billy Bassett, Gus Hay.

Inter: Joseph Artavilla, Shannon Tardrew, Charles Kealy, Jacob Austin.

Coaches: Jarrod Bateson, Isaac Ruff

SANDHURST will be aiming to hold its number one status when it plays Gisborne in the Drummond Golf reserves footy match on Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final day on Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Dragons are chasing back-to-back premierships against a club which was runner-up two years ago.

It’s an 11.50am start for the reserves contest.

After finishing the home-and-away series on top of the ladder on a 14-2 record, Gisborne could not stop Sandhurst’s charge to a 36-28 victory in the second semi-final.

Best for the Dragons were Wil Pinniger, Darcy Mills, Rory Ellett and Brodie Montague.

Gisborne’s best were Boyd Nalder, Ed Williams, Rohan Nicol and Jacob Murphy.

The Bulldogs bounced back to a score a seven-goal win against Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final.

Hayden Doricic and Tom Wood kicked two goals as Kane Minns, Lachlan Nesitt and Zach Paterson were best.

It was one-all between the Bulldogs and Dragons in the run to the finals.

Sandhurst won the round two clash on the QEO turf by 14 points.

Gisborne dominated the round 11 match on its ground to mark a 74-13 victory.

A previous winner of the competition’s leading goalkicker award on 43 goals in 2022, Jasper Stewart leads Sandhurst’s attack on 20 goals.

A tally of 39 by Hayden Doricic earned the league’s goalkicking award for this season.

There are plenty of Alan McDonald Medal winners as the competition’s fairest and best in Gisborne’s line-up which is coached by Jeremy Pennefather.

Bulldogs’ on-baller Jacob Murphy won this season’s medal after being joint winner with clubmate and ruckman Boyd Nalder in 2022.

Nalder was league fairest and best last season, and Hayden Doricic claimed the medal in 2019.

Since it was runner-up to Gisborne by 69 points in the reserves grand final of 2011, Sandhurst has won all five grand finals it has played in since then.

The Dragons were victorious in 2012, 14, 16, 18, and last September.

The R.F. Turner medallist as best afield in the grand final win of six years ago, Brodie Montague will again play a key on-ball role for the Jake McLean-coached Dragons on Saturday.

It’s a huge day for McLean who will play half-forward or wing in the seniors grand final.

Key players in the Dragons’ reserves team include ruckman Wilson Butler, Jed Zimmer, Alex Wharton, Conor and Patrick O’Farrell, Martin Leyden, and Oscar Perez.

Gisborne will look to Adam Brancatisano, Matthew Barake, Elijah Brerethon, Rohan Nichol, Michael Steinbach and Leon Thiner to lead the way to victory.

Sandhurst:

B: Campbell Rowland, Tom Calvert, Conor O’Farrell.

Hb: Martin Leyden, Matt Campbell, Tanner Nally.

C: Jack Keating, Jed Zimmer, Wil Pinniger.

Hf: Patrick O’Farrell, Alex Wharton, Oscar Perez.

F: Jasper Stewart, Luke Crawford, Wilson Butler.

Foll: Rory Ellett, Charlie Robinson, Brodie Montague.

Inter: Jameson Barber, Tom Dunham, Hayden Gillingham, James Vlaeminck.

Coach: Jake McLean.

Gisborne:

B: Alonzo Rovere, Elijah Bretherton, Max Ramsay.

Hb: Kane Minns, Rohan Nicol, Harry Manders.

C: Harry Thomas, Patrick Trotta, Zach Paterson.

Hf: Michael Steinbach, Matthew Barake, Darcy Young.

F: Ed Williams, Hayden Doricic, Tom Wood.

Foll: Boyd Nalder, Jacob Murphy, Leon Thiner.

Inter: Adam Brancatisano, Heath Simpson, Luke Weber, Brodie Andrews.

Emerg: Tyer Collings, Lachlan Nesbitt, Jacob Grinter.

Coach: Jeremy Pennefather