Gisborne’s pups chase premiership hat-trick
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 11th 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
