STRATHFIELDSAYE Storm will be aiming to deny Sandhurst an under-18s footy premiership hat-trick at Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final day on Saturday.
The clash of the Storm and Dragons will start at 9.15am at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street.
For many seasons Sandhurst’s been a powerhouse of the under-18s competition.
The past two Septembers the Dragons have beaten Gisborne and Golden Square.
It’s a seventh grand final appearance in eight seasons by Sandhurst.
The run began with a 23-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in 2016.
A year later and Storm beat the Dragons by 32 points as Wade Donnan, now starring for Sea Lake Nandaly, earnt the Rod Ashman Medal as best-on-ground.
Strathfieldaye has not contested an under-18s grand final since the victory nine years ago.
The Lachlan Ratcliffe-coached Storm rolls into this decider as favourite.
Strathfieldsaye won the Indigenous Round match on Sandhurst’s turf by 35 points.
Storm then charged to a 73-49 win against the Dragons in round 16 at Triple M Park.
A 58-56 win against South Bendigo in the second semi earnt Strathfieldsaye a grand final berth and week’s rest.
It’s been a testing run for the Darcy Mills-coached Dragons who were beaten in the qualifying final clash with South Bendigo by 15 points.
Sandhurst won the first semi against Castlemaine by 31 points and then marked a 66-52 win against South Bendigo in the preliminary final.
After not playing in the second semi because of injury, Sam O’Bree is a huge inclusion for Storm.
The talented on-baller was joint winner of the George Symons Medal with Sandhurst’s Jack Moresi as both were locked on 17 votes.
Both will play crucial roles in their team’s quest for victory.
Strathfieldsaye’s attack is led by Ezekiel Cousins, 40 goals; Charlie Elliot, 21; Archie Stevens, 19; and Ben Jorgensen, 17; and Jordan Mathews, 16.
At Sandhurst it’s Miller Armstrong who has slotted 52 goals and earnt the league goalkicking award who is the greatest threat to Storm’s defence.
The Rod Ashman medallist last September, Carter Reid has kicked 30 goals for the Dragons.
Key match-ups for Storm include Josh Mundy at full-back against Miller Armstrong,
On the Symons Medal front it was Sam O’Bree, 17 votes; Will Bartlett and Will Mayes, seven each; and Aydan Hand at centre half-back against Jaxon Kelly.
Strathfieldsaye on-ballers Jake Schubert, Charlie Elliott and Will Mayes are up against Duncan Strachan, Harry Byrne and Patrick McNamara.
Other players to watch for Storm include Will Bartlett, Mack Elkington, Will Mayes and Jesse Webster.
The Dragons’ defence includes Luke Cameron, Maurice and Miller Nihill, and Drew Warren.
Midfield contests are crucial on the QEO’s wide expanses.
Sandhurst will look to Hudson Banfield and Thomas Smith to have big games on the wings.
Tommy Byrne, key defender Luke Cameron and Kingston Uerata have been among the best for the maroon and blue in the finals action.
Strathfieldsaye’s team:
B: Nicholas Loorham, Josh Mundy, Will Bartlett.
Hb: Riley O’Donnell, Aydan Hand, Jesse Webster.
C: Jack Oldham, Angus White, Harrison Whitfield.
Hf: Mack Elkington, Ollie Long, Sam O’Bree.
F: Ezekiel Cousins, Jordan Mathews, Archie Stevens.
Foll: Jake Schubert, Charlie Elliott, Will Mayes.
Inter (from): Sam Gibson, Nathan Jones-Stibbe, Ben Jorgensen, Lachlan Hargreaves, Jack DeAraugo.
Coach: Lachlan Ratclife.
Sandhurst’s team:
B: Rafferty Brasier, Miller Nihill, Maurice Nihill.
Hb: Drew Warren, Luke Cameron, Lachlan McKay.
C: Hudson Banfield, Carter Reid, Thomas Smith.
Hf: Tommy Byrne, Jaxon Kelly, Nicholas Long.
F: Nicholas Harvey, Miller Armstrong, Jack Moresi.
Foll: Duncan Strachan, Harry Byrne, Patrick McNamara.
Inter: Charlie Bombardieri, Cooper Richardson, Zane MacDonald, Kingston Uerata.
Coach: Darcy Mills.
