Strathfieldsaye

The Bendigo Football Netball League would like to announce and congratulate the following list of 17 & Under netball players who have been selected in the 2023 BFNL 17 & Under representative squad:

2023 BFNL 17 & UNDER REP SQUAD

• KYLA BYRNE Castlemaine
• MILLIE CASSIDY Maryborough
• EDEN CLIFFORD South Bendigo
• BELLA CONNORS Gisborne
• REESE GILCHRIST Sandhurst
• EMMA KEATING Golden Square
• EMMA JOYCE Gisborne
• LAYLA O'SHEA Strathfieldsaye
• ELLA PATTEN Maryborough
• NEVE PINNER Sandhurst
• JAIDA RACO Sandhurst
• HOLLY SWATTON Golden Square
• DASH TAYLOR Gisborne
• MEGAN WILSON Castlemaine

The Bendigo FNL again welcome Nicole Donnellon and Sharni McPherson as co-coaches of the 17 & Under BFNL representative netball team to compete in the Netball Victoria Association Championships, after successfully leading the BFNL team to the Association Championships Finals in season 2022.

Nicole and Sharni bring a wealth of netball knowledge and growing levels of experience and success at BFNL, State, and regional Academy levels, and will again mentor and develop the brightest BFNL netball talent.

2023 KEY TOURNAMENT DATES
− Sunday 7th May Golden City Tournament (Bendigo)
− Sunday 14th May Echuca Tournament (Echuca)
− Sunday 21st May Netball Vic Association Championship - qualifying (Bendigo)
− Sunday 18th June Netball Vic Association Championship - finals (Melbourne)

BFNL Manager Cameron Tomlins said “The Bendigo Football Netball League sincerely thank all players who were able to commit to the 2023 BFNL netball representative program for showing interest and attending the trial process. We congratulate all players who were selected for the initial 17 & Under squad, who may now receive opportunities to represent the BFNL in 2023”.

“We also thank all players who trialled for season 2023 and were unsuccessful. The overall quality of the recent trials were of an incredibly high standard which is exciting for the future of BFNL netball. The BFNL wish all players the best with their future development and encourage them to trial for representative selection again in the future.”

A BRILLIANT final quarter fightback has put Sandhurst into another senior footy grand final in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL action.

The Dragons faced a three-goal deficit going into the final quarter of last Saturday’s preliminary final against Strathfieldsaye Storm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

After being beaten just once in the home-and-away series, Sandhurst faced the prospect of consecutive finals defeat which would put it out of the premiership race.

A team jointly coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, playing, dominated most of the last term of Saturday’s contest.

The Dragons slammed on 6.3 which included brilliant goals by Archer Day-Wicks from an acute angle and a shot by Nick Stagg beyond the 50m arc.

At the final siren the Dragons led 11.15 (81) to 11.7 (73) to advance to next Saturday’s showdown with the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup.

In the preliminary final an inaccurate Sandhurst led 5.10 to 4.2 at half-time.

The Darryl Wilson-coached Storm then surged to an 18-point lead as it dominated the third term.

Strathfieldsaye added 5.4 and kept the maroon and blue to a tally of two behinds which put the heat right on the Dragons.

Inspired by the play of ruckman Hamish Hosking and on-ballers Noah Walsh and Sam Conforti it was Sandhurst which stormed to victory in what would be Darryl Wilson’s final game as Strathfieldsaye coach.

The Dragons’ attack was led by the experienced Andy Collins and Matt Thornton with two goals apiece.

Other goalkickers were James Coghlan, Archer Day-Wicks, Hamish Hosking, Jake McLean, Nick Stagg and Noah Walsh.

Storm co-captain Lachlan Sharp kicked three goals which took his season tally to 98 as he claimed the Ron Best Medal for a third time.

Other goalkickers for Strathfieldsaye were Jed Brereton, Lachlan Gill, Hunter Lawrence, Joseph Mayes, Jake Moorhead,  Bode Stevens, Luke Webb and Riley Wilson.

Sandhurst’s best included Liam Ireland, Caleb Connick and Nick Stagg.

Storm’s best were Cooper Jones, Luke Webb, Jake Moorhead, Callum McCarty, Daniel Clohesy and Jed Brereton.

It was a thrilling finish to the reserves preliminary final between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.

The Dragons led 36-21 at half-time of the match in the Harmac Homes-backed competition.

Storm moved within eight points going into the last quarter as it scored 1.2 to a behind in the third term.

Both line-ups kicked two goals in the last as the Dragons fought on for a 50-45 victory.

Sandhurst’s attack was led by Joel Wharton with two goals as Harrison Free, Brodie Montague, Sean O’Farrell, Connor Sexton and Jed Zimmer added one.

Goalkickers for Storm were Abe Sheahan, two; Dermott Bell, Lachlan Bonney, Jai Featherby and Shannon Murphy.

The Dragons’ best were Harrison Free, Isaac Carracher, Brodie Montague, Joel Wharton, Patrick and Sean O’Farrell.

Brady Hore, Darcy Mulquiny, Carson James, Joel Reinheimer, Abe Sheahan and Harry Teasdale were Strathfieldsaye’s best.

Sandhurst will now tackle Eaglehawk in the grand final.

The Hawks’ only loss in the home-and-away series was in the 18^th round when it played Sandhurst on the QEO.

Both teams met in the second semi where the Borough won by 52 points.

Gisborne dominated the second half of the SportsPower under-18s preliminary final clash with Sandhurst.

The Bulldogs led 16-13 at half-time and then scored 3.1 to a behind in the third quarter.

Led by the play of Jack Long, Frankie Ellis and Indy Williamson, Gisborne kicked away to record an 8.13 (61) to 3.6 (24) victory.

Zach Paterson kicked a game-high three goals for the red, white and blue.

Other goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Lachie Bianco, Jack Clough, Hamish Thomas, Ed Williams and Indy Williamson.

Sandhurst’s goals were kicked by Callum Craig, Wil Pinniger and Isaac Tzouroutis.

Best for Gisborne included Lachie Bianco, Lachlan Evans and Kane Minns.

Oliver Morris, Deakin Andrews, Davis McNair, Wil Pinniger, Daniel Noden and Logan Kilcullen played well for the Dragons.

It’s an all-Bulldogs clash in Saturday’s grand final as Golden Square takes on Gisborne.

They met in the second semi where Golden Square marked a three-goal victory.

Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

Under-18s at 9.15am: Golden Square v Gisborne.

Reserves at 11.50am: Eaglehawk v Sandhurst.

Seniors at 2.20pm: Golden Square v Sandhurst.

Sandhurst strives to end Strathfieldsaye’s streak

SANDHURST will be striving to end an incredible streak by Strathfieldsaye when they clash in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy preliminary final on Saturday.

Victory for Sandhurst would not only put it in the grand final, but also put a stop to Storm’s run of being there on that one day in September.

Since 2013, Strathfieldsaye has played in seven of eight grand finals and won the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup four times.

The run by the Darryl Wilson-coached Storm includes the back-to-back grand final triumphs against Sandhurst in 2014 and ’15 by margins of 55 and seven points.

Sandhurst’s most recent grand final appearance was in 2016 when it beat Golden Square by 32 points.

This season’s meetings between the Dragons and Storm stand at two-nil in favour of Sandhurst.

After finishing the home and away series on top of the ladder and earning a week’s rest, Sandhurst could not stop Golden Square’s charge to victory in the second semi-final.

Now the heat’s on against a Storm line-up which has gone win, loss, win across its three finals contests.

Among the key duels will be just who does oppose Storm captain and Ron Best medallist Lachlan Sharp.

The sharpshooter goes into this match on a season tally of 95 goals.

When these teams last met it was James Coghlan who did a brilliant job limiting Sharp’s impact on the contest.

One of the best forwards in league history, Sharp kicked 142 goals and won the Michelsen Medal when Storm won the 2017 premiership.

In 2019 he booted 129 goals and Strathfieldsaye beat Eaglehawk for the premiership cup.

Best afield and recipient of the Nalder Medal was Bryce Curnow who alternated between centre half-back and centre half-forward as he played all four quarters at the city end of the ground.

On Saturday, Curnow will be aiming to play a crucial role for the Dragons.

Key players for a Sandhurst team coached by Ash Connick, non-playing, and Bryce Curnow, captain Lee Coghlan, Andy Collins, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Sam Conforti, Lachlan Wright and Noah Walsh.

It was 14 years ago that Lee Coghlan became one of the youngest winners of the Michelsen Medal.

Whether it be in an on-ball role or in attack, Lee Coghlan is one of Sandhurst’s most valuable players.

Storm’s stars include Jake Moorhead who earned the Michelsen Medal in 2022.

This season he racked up plenty of matches in the VFL with Essendon, but has returned to play a key role in Storm’s push for another premiership.

Selected as ruck-rover, Moorhead will team up with ruckman Jed Brereton, rover Callum McCarty, and centre Lachlan Gill for the important centre ball-ups.

Storm’s attack features the marking power of James Schischka and Caleb Ernst, and the pace and skill of Matt Harvey, Baxter Slater and Riley Wilson at ground level.

In defence it will be Lachlan Ratcliffe, Ben Lester, Mitch Hallinan and Luke Webb who not work to stifle Sandhurst’s moves, but also be a launching pad into attack.

They will be up against Lachlan Wright, Matt Thornton, Cobi Maxted and Nick Stagg.

The Dragons’ line-up also features Archer Day-Wicks, son of Tim Wicks, a triple winner of the Frank Harding Medal as the Loddon Valley FNL’s best and fairest in his playing days with Mitiamo.

Wicks was also part of Strathfieldsaye’s first senior team in the BFNL.

Archer’s grandfather, Terry Day was a champion ruck-rover or centreman in North Bendigo’s premiership-winning years of 1976 and ’77.

On Saturday it will be Dragons’ youngsters such as Day-Wicks, Noah Walsh, Darcy Mills and Cooper Smith giving their all to ensure victory.

Strathfieldsaye also has the experience of Shannon Geary and Daniel Clohesy.

In the reserves it’s Sandhurst against Strathfieldsaye from 12.45pm.

The Dragons won the qualifying final against Golden Square by 53 points, but were outplayed in the second semi showdown with Eaglehawk.

A 52-point victory put the Hawks into the grand final.

Key players for Sandhurst include Brodie Montague, Will Moran, Harrison Monk, Sean O’Farrell and Jake Wilkinson.

Storm’s run in the finals began by eliminating Gisborne.

Strathfieldsaye then scored an eight-goal win against Golden Square in the first semi.

Captain Wade Kinniburgh and Harry Teasdale were Storm’s leading votegetters in the race for the Alan McDonald Medal awarded to the league’s fairest and best.

Storm’s line-up to take on the Dragons includes Lachlan Bonney, Ethan and Jai Featherby, Rowan Fox, Brady Hore, Carson James and Shannon Murphy.

Preliminary final day kicks off with the under-18s match between Gisborne and Sandhurst at 10.45am.

These teams met in the qualifying final where Gisborne marked a 70-22 victory.

In last Saturday’s second semi, Gisborne went down to Golden Square by three goals.

Sandhurst won the first semi against Maryborough by 49 points.

A talented Gisborne team includes captain Kane Minns, Jarrod Ainsworth in the centre, Darcy Young, Matthew Barake and Jacob Grinter.

The Dragons will look for big games from the likes of Logan Kilcullen, Thaine Bake, Jack English, Wil Pinniger, Jacob Austin and Henry Edwards to earn a crack at the Bulldogs for a premiership victory.

THE Sandhurst Dragons will turn up the heat when they take on Golden Square in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy second semi-final on Saturday.

It’s one-all in this season’s meetings between the Dragons and Dogs going into a big clash which starts at Queen Elizabeth Oval at 2.20pm.

A great run by the Ash Connick and Bryce Curnow-coached Sandhurst in the regular season was 16 wins, one loss, and a draw.

Sole defeat was on Golden Square’s turf at Fur Life Oval in round 12 when the blue and gold was victorious by four goals.

When these teams met on the QEO in round three it was Sandhurst which retained the Ron Best Memorial trophy in a 94-59 result.

At selection, Sandhurst made two changes to the team which beat Eaglehawk in the 18^th round on the QEO.

Premiership winner Nick Stagg is in, along with young gun Archer Day-Wicks.

There was no change to the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square team which won the qualifying final against Strathfieldsaye by 26 points.

There will be plenty of crucial match-ups in the second semi where the winner advances to the grand final.

A strong on-ball division for Sandhurst is led by ruckman Hamish Hosking and includes James Coghlan and Sam Conforti.

They will be up against Matt Compston, Bulldogs’ captain Jack Geary, and Ryan Hartley.

The Dragons have the marking power of Matt Thornton and Lachlan Wright in attack.

Golden Square will need big games from the likes of Jon Coe, Harrison Burke, Jake Thrum and Zack Shelton in defence.

Two of the competition’s most versatile big men in Bryce Curnow for the Dragons and Jayden Burke for Square will play crucial roles in defence or attack.

Golden Square’s attack is led brilliantly by Joel Brett and includes Braydon Vaz and Jack Stewart.

Big test for Dragons’ defenders Liam Ireland, Tanner Nally and Isaac Ruff.

A great mix for Sandhurst includes the experience of Lee Coghlan, Andy Collins and Alex Wharton teamed with talented youngsters such as Caleb Connick, Cobi Maxted and Noah Walsh.

Highlight of Golden Square’s qualifying final victory was the play of Jack Hickman, Tom Strauch and Jack Threlfall.

There is always plenty of feeling when Sandhurst and Golden Square meet.

A lot of that can be traced back to the early 70s when the Dragons lured Best the legendary goalkicker from Golden Square to be a premiership-winning coach for the maroon and blue.

Later on it was Brian Walsh who had won a Michelsen medal in ’69 with Sandhurst, went on to play VFL with Carlton and Essendon.

On his return to Bendigo, Walsh went on to coach Golden Square to three senior premierships.

It will be Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk fighting to stay in the race for the Bendigo Advertiser premiership cup when they meet in Sunday’s first semi-final at 2.20pm.

Although it finished below Storm on the ladder, Eaglehawk won both of this season’s clashes with Strathfieldsaye by 78 and 54 points.

In the 14^th round the Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk put together one of its best starts to the season as it led 51-6 at quarter-time of the clash with Storm at Canterbury Park.

Strathfieldsaye is on the rebound from a 26-point loss to Golden Square in the qualifying final.

The Darryl Wilson-coached Strathfieldsaye has added Malik Gordon to its squad.

Eaglehawk’s team is bolstered by the return of the hard-running and skilful Kallen Geary, a triple premiership winner with Strathfieldsaye.

Opponents on Sunday include Kallen’s brother Shannon, also a multiple premiership winner with Storm and now a 200-Club member.

The Hawks also brought in Charlie Hillier.

A key to this contest will be the on-ball duels where Storm has Tim Hosking, Michelsen medallist Jake Moorhead and Callum McCarty up against Connor Dalgleish, Billy Evans and Noah Wheeler.

Storm’s attack is led brilliantly by co-captain Lachlan Sharp who has kicked 93 goals and claimed the Ron Best Medal once again.

Other avenues to goal include James Schischka, Caleb Ernst and Baxter Slater.

Hawks’ defenders Dylan Hanley and Oscar Madden were superb in the elimination final win against South Bendigo.

Darcy Richards marked his return from suspension by kicking four goals last Sunday and is part of an attack that includes Lewin Davis and Cam McGlashan.

Storm’s defence is led by Lachlan Ratcliffe, Ben Lester, Mitch Hallinan and has the run of Luke Webb and Hunter Lawrence.

Other players to watch for the Borough are Marcus Angove, Clayton Holmes, Joel Mullen and Ben Thompson.

In the Harmac Homes-backed reserves competition it will be Eaglehawk against Sandhurst in the second semi-final from 12.15pm.

An unbeaten run by the Hawks was ended in the 18^th round when the Dragons won 44-24 on the QEO.

Sandhurst’s best in that win included Xavier Walsh, Charlie Robinson, Will Moran, Jake Wilkiinson, Brodie Montague and James Venturini.

In round nine, Eaglehawk won a top contest, 57-50.

The Dragons kicked off their finals campaign by scoring an 81-28 victory against Golden Square in the qualifying final.

Sandhurst’s team for week two of the finals includes Martin Leyden, Harrison Monk, Patrick and Sean O’Farrell, and Connor Sexton.

The Hawks’ squad includes Jack Daley, Sam Dean, Liam Drummond, captain Rhys Foster, Jacob Greenwood, Bailey Ilsley, and Jack Lawton.

On Sunday it will be Golden Square against Strathfieldsaye in the first semi from 12.15pm.

The Bulldogs are on the rebound from a qualifying final defeat, while Storm marked a 46-point victory against Gisborne in the elimination final.

This season’s meetings between the Bulldogs and Storm went Square’s way by eight and 45 points.

The Bulldogs’ squad for Sunday includes Drew Barrett, Macey Eaton, Alex Jenkyn, Will Lee, Dale Lowry, Will Lee and Mitchell Treacy.

Storm has the experience of captain Wade Kinniburgh and Lachlan Bonney.

Other players to watch for Strathfieldsaye include Ethan and Jai Featherby, Brady Hore, Carson James, Luke Rodda and Abe Sheahan.

In the SportsPower-backed under-18s competition it will be Golden Square against Gisborne in Saturday’s second semi-final from 10.15am.

Both teams had a 16-2 run in the home-and-away series as Golden Square finished on top of the ladder.

In round, Golden Square marked a 75-44 win at home against Gisborne.

Next meeting was in the 15^th round at Gardiner Reserve where Gisborne won by seven points.

Key players for Golden Square include co-captains Nick Sheffiff and Zackery Tickell, along with Ned Jenkyn, Harrison Kelly, Billy Meade, and Noah Warfe.

Gisborne’s best in the qualifying final win against Sandhurst were Jarrod Ainsworth, Ed Williams, Frankie Ellis and Lachlan Evans.

Captain Kane Minns, Lane Grech and Jack Long were best when Gisborne beat Golden Square in the round 15 clash.

On Sunday it will be Sandhurst against Maryborough in the first semi from 10.15am.

This season’s meetings have gone the Dragons’ way by 14 and 45 points.

Best for Sandhurst in the qualifying final were Jack English, Wil Pinniger, Deakin Andrews and Declan Delaney.

The Dragons’ line-up to face the Magpies includes Dayten Uerata, Alex Carr, Logan Kilcullen, Ed McCarthy, and Jack English.

Maryborough won the elimination final against Strathfieldsaye by 25 points as Taj Bond and Kaian Constable kicked three goals each.

This season Constable has played six senior games for the Magpies, and Bond in four.

Both will play key roles in Sunday’s match, along with Aidan Medlyn, Tom Myers, Damon Nitschke, Diesel Palmer and James Woods as they fight to stay in the premiership race.

A GREAT of Golden Square FNC, Jack Geary will mark his 200^th senior footy match when he leads the Bulldogs in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Football Netball League season.

The Bulldogs will be determined to cap Geary’s step into an elite club with victory against the Kyneton Tigers on home turf at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

A five-time premiership player for the Bulldogs, Geary and his team-mates will tackle the Tigers from 2.20pm.

It’s a big test for the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square against Kyneton.

The Bulldogs have kept the majority of the team which reached last season’s preliminary final and will start favourite to take the points against the Paul Chapman-coached Tigers.

A gun midfielder or on-baller for most of his career, Geary was named on a half-back flank.

An attack which has Joel Brett, Jayden Burke and Braydon Vaz as main targets will be tough for Kyneton to hold across four quarters.

Other key players for the Bulldogs include Jon Coe and Will Lee in defence, Ryan Hartley and Liam Barrett in midfield, ruckman Matt Compston, and ruck-rover Ricky Monti.

The blue and gold also welcomes back tough on-baller Tom Toma from Cohuna Kangas.

Plenty of changes have been made at Tigerland.

A huge plus for Kyneton is the return of classy small forward Ethan Foreman after premiership success with Gisborne last season.

Foreman is a previous leading goalkicker for the yellow and black.

The Tigers have also recruited another small forward in Tom Quinn from University Blues.

A defence led by Harrison Huntley, C Fisher and J Safstrom faces a huge challenge.

Other newcomers for Kyneton include ruckman Jayden Eales from Sunbury, and Jordan and Lucas Iudica.

A rematch of last season’s grand finalists, Gisborne at Strathfieldsaye should draw a big crowd to Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.

It’s the start of a new era as Brad Fox takes charge as senior coach after the successful run of Rob Waters.

The Bulldogs are without several of their premiership stars, including gun forward Pat McKenna.

This season it’s Jack Reaper who takes the captaincy after McKenna stepped aside from the role because of work commitments.

A formidable Gisborne line-up still has ruckman Braidon Blake, onballer Flynn Lakey, the skilful Sam Graham and Matt Merrett.

The Dogs have plenty of running power through the likes of Mack Lord, Matt Weber and Liam Spear.

Newcomers for the Bulldogs include Jed and Zac Denahy from Castlemaine.

The Darryl Wilson and Shannon Geary-coached Strathfieldsaye will be determined to start well.

There have also been quite a lot of changes to the Storm line-up.

A strong attack will again be led by Michelsen medallist and dual Ron Best medallist, Lachlan Sharp.

The marking power of James Schischka was a highlight in many of Storm’s matches last season.

Storm also named two of the prized recruits, Jack Exell and Alex Powell on a ‘from’ interchange.

Michelsen medallist Jake Moorhead will play a key role in and around the packs, as will Riley Wilson, Callum McCarty and Lachlan Gill.

Storm’s defence led by Ben Lester, Lachie Ratcliffe and Mitchell Hallinan will rely a lot on pressure further up the ground.

South Bendigo marks the start of a new era when it tackles Eaglehawk at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

The Bloods have played for premiership points at the Neale Street ground in previous years, but the venue is now the Bloods new permanent home for all football and netball teams.

On-field the Nathan Horbury-coached South Bendigo welcomes back gun small forward Steven Stroobants.

In recent years Stroobants has starred for Rochester in the Goulburn Valley and coached the Tigers last season.

Another key signing for the red and white was ruckman Macgregor Cameron from Monash Blues.

Players to watch for the Bloods include Brock Harvey at full-forward, rover Cooper Leon, Oscar White and Brody Haddow in midfield.

The defensive work of captain Zac Hare, Isaiah Miller, Cameron Taggert and Braydan Torpey will be important.

Biggest recruiting coup in the lead-up to 2023 was former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary deciding to return to Eaglehawk.

The Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen both mark their return to the Two Blues.

Jarryn brings 207 games of AFL experience to the league, and Kallen is a triple premiership winner with Strathfieldsaye.

After finishing on the seventh rung last season the Travis Matheson-coached Eaglehawk could soar back to the top five.

A talented line-up from the Borough includes Darcy Richards, new captain Cam McGlashan and Liam Marciano in attack, new ruckman Connor Dalgleish from Montmorency, and a centreline of Joel Mullen, Fraser Verhey and Billy Evans.

The Thompsons – Ben, Jack and Sam are all in the Hawks line-up.

Maryborough is on home turf at Princes Park for its clash with Castlemaine.

Both of the Magpies will be keen to mark a victory, especially Maryborough after a winless ’22 campaign.

The Borough has appointed gun on-baller Coby Perry as playing coach.

A wrist injury will keep Perry on the sidelines for a few more weeks.

Massive plus for Maryborough is the return of Bailey Edwards who spent the summer playing for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory.

Edwards is a previous club champion at Maryborough who played for Carisbrook last season.

Key players for the Borough include Joel Swatton from South Bendigo; Brady Neill; Chris Freeeman in the centre or attack; Darcy Bond, Kya Lanfranchi and Luke Bucknall in defence.

Matt Johnston was also named in the Maryborough attack.

A premiership winner with Castlemaine, Brendan Shepherd marks his return to the club as senior coach.

On the recruiting front, Castlemaine has regained previous club champion Matt Filo.

The Magpies will look for big games from the likes of Jackson Hood, David Wilson, Ben Moran, Brodie and Jackson Byrne, and Callum McConachy.

Sandhurst takes on Kangaroo Flat at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Beaten in last season’s elimination final, Sandhurst could mark a dramatic rise.

Ash Connick has stayed on as coach and is joined by Bryce Curnow as playing assistant coach.

A premiership winner and Nalder medallist as best on ground in a Strathfieldsaye grand final victory, Curnow played in Kerang’s premiership team in ’22.

The Dragons have also welcomed back favourite son Nick Stagg after last season’ stint with the Kerang Blues.

Former coach Andy Collins bolsters the Dragons’ attack or midfield on his return from Bridgewater.

Other key players for Sandhurst include Michelsen medallist and on-baller Lee Coghlan, ruckman Hamish Hosking, Matt Thornton and Joel Wharton in attack, Zach Pallpratt in the centre, Liam Ireland and Tanner Nally in defence.

It’s a tough initation for Nathan Johns to his coaching stint with Kangaroo Flat.

Johns brings plenty of coaching experience to lead a young Roos’ line-up.

Key recruits for the Flat include the Rouse twins, Jordan and Zac in defence.

Rover Mitch Trewhella, Liam Collins, Kyle Symons, Tim Brooks, Ryan O’Keefe, and co-captains Mitch Collins and Ethan Roberts will all play key roles as the Roos strive to maintain a high level of pressure in all quarters.