Dragons’ gun adds to medal tally
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 29th 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
