EAGLEHAWK will put the heat on the Sandhurst Dragons in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL Drummond Golf reserves footy grand final on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Just as it did last week to upset South Bendigo in the preliminary final, Eaglehawk’s pressure will be crucial against a hard-running and skilful opponent.
The grand finalists met in the qualifying final which Sandhurst won 75-46 at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
A week later and the Lachlan Prest-coached Dragons beat South Bendigo for a second time this season in the second semi-final.
A 60-36 victory put the maroon and blue into the season’s biggest match.
Eaglehawk hit back from the qualifying final loss to score a 69-14 win against Strathfieldsaye in the first semi-final.
The Hawks who are coached by Ryan Wellington and Rhys Foster then overran South Bendigo in the preliminary final to win by 10 points.
It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between the Dragons and Hawks.
On Easter Saturday it was Sandhurst which won 61-44 on the Borough’s turf at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
In round 10 the Two Blues swooped for a 60-33 victory against the maroon and blue at the QEO.
A 13-3 record put Eaglehawk in second place at the end of the home-and-away series as Sandhurst was third on a win-loss tally of 12-4.
Joint winners of the George Symons Medal as the under-18s fairest and best last season, Oscar Cail and Cahal Blandthorn will play big roles in the reserves contest.
Sandhurst’s Gus Hay polled 14 votes to be in a three-way tie for runner-up in this season’s race for the Alan McDonald medal as league fairest and best.
After crossing from Marong to Sandhurst, Jonty Davis has played a mix of seniors and reserves in his first season with the club.
Other key players for the Dragons include ruckman Lachlan Watson; Finlay Lockhart and Daniel Noden in attack; Louis Banfield, Hamish McNamara and Patrick O’Farrell in defence.
The Dragons also have the run of Wil Pinniger from a wing and Billy Bassett across half-forward.
A year ago and Sandhurst was beaten in a thrilling reserves grand final by Golden Square.
The Bulldogs celebrated a 33-30 victory.
It’s a vastly different Sandhurst line-up in this decider.
It’s been a memorable couple of weeks for Eaglehawk captain Ethan Hanley who polled 19 votes to earn the Alan McDonald Medal and now leads his team into a grand final.
Jaxon Vroom racked up 14 votes to be in the three-way tie as medal runner-up.
The Hawks are boosted by the inclusion of ruckman/forward Jordan Mangan who played in the seniors preliminary final against Gisborne.
Leading goalkicker for Eaglehawk is Sam Dean on 26 in 15 matches as Ryan Wellington has kicked 25 in 13 games.
Players to keep an eye on in the Hawks’ line-up include Liam Drummond, Noah and Tyler Eliades, Mitch Ronchieri, and Corey Webb.
Sandhurst’s team:
B: Patrick O’Farrell, Louis Banfield, Harvey White.
Hb: Lachlan Borchard, Hamish McNamara, Henry Edwards.
C: Declan Stevenson, Darby Whatley, Wil Pinniger.
Hf: Will Long, Finlay Lockhart, Billy Bassett.
F: Oscar Cail, Daniel Noden, Shannon Tardrew.
Foll: Lachlan Watson, Charlie Robinson, Jonty Davis.
Inter: Angus Dickson, Kobi Macdonald, Fraser Walsh, Harvey Sims.
Coach: Lachlan Prest.
Eaglehawk’s team:
B: Mitch Ronchieri, Corey Webb, Zack Bulger.
Hb: Ethan Hanley, Ryan Wellington, Jack Leersen.
C: Sam Dean, Rhys Foster, Jaxon Vroom.
Hf: Corey Roberts, Liam Drummond, Noah Eliades.
F: Brody Brown, Jordan Mangan, Tyler Eliades.
Foll: Jakeb Hanley, Thorne Wilson, Jordy Holland.
Inter: Cahal Blandthorn, Isaiah Phillips-Adams, Jack Kerr, Cory Jacobs.
Coaches: Ryan Wellington and Rhys Foster.
