Dragons eyeing back-to-back on big day for maroon and blue

SANDHURST co-coach Bryce Curnow believes the Dragons’ tough last month-and-a-half of football has left them battle-hardened ahead of this Saturday’s BFNL grand final.

The Dragons will be aiming to become the first team since Strathfieldsaye in 2014-15 to go back-to-back as senior premiers, when they take on Eaglehawk at the QEO.

While four clubs have achieved the feat this century, and a fifth, Maryborough, did it in 1998-99, Sandhurst has not repeated as premiers since 1977-78.

They will enter the clash refreshed, after winning their way through with a second semi-final victory over the Hawks a fortnight ago.

In contrast to the Hawks, who have endured three tough finals, the Dragons have made only one appearance to date this finals series.

While debate will forever rage on the pros and cons of a week’s break during finals, Curnow – co-coach with midfield star Lachlan Tardrew – is unfazed given their tough run into grand final day.

“Our last five or six games, we have played top four teams in five of those six games (for five wins), so we have had some really tough opposition running into finals and in that first final,” he said.

“Some boys have really put their hand up in those five or six weeks.

“It’s a great situation to be in.”

A pair of breaks during the finals series has left the Dragons not only refreshed and bolstered in terms of personnel, but itching to go, according to Curnow.

In terms of potential changes, Tanner Nally is available for selection after clearing concussion protocols stemming from their round 18 win over Gisborne, while plenty of other aspirants have thrown their hands up during a successful to date reserves finals campaign.

“Apart from that, we have a couple of little niggles that every team has at this time of the year,” Curnow said.

“We’ve had a couple of tough decisions to make over the last few weeks, with a few boys who have definitely deserved to be playing, but it’s more a question of who’s spot do they take.

“When you finish on top and have a week off, and then you play and have another week off, the boys are just itching to get out there.

“The boys have a couple of good training sessions under the belt, so are now just looking forward to it.

“If we have to make tough calls, we are in a good spot.”

The Dragons are ready for whatever Eaglehawk throws at them, knowing that the Hawks will carry plenty of momentum into the contest after saving their best for the last quarter in a 33-point preliminary final win over Gisborne.

Curnow was quick to discard the relevance of their 3-0 record against the Hawks this season.

“They are a really good side – as are Gisborne,” he said.

“You knew that both being proud clubs, they would fight it through to the end.

“But Eaglehawk really put their foot down in the end.

“I’m sure that’s given them plenty of confidence.”

Ben Thompson, Jonty Neaves and Brayden Frost were three of many Hawks players to catch the eye of Curnow during the preliminary final, while there was nothing but respect for newly-crowned Michelsen Medal winner Billy Evans.

Beaten only twice during the home and away season (both times by Gisborne), and dominant in many of their 14 wins, the Dragons will continue to remain focused on the things that have made them such a formidable opponent in 2025.

“We’ll go in with the confidence our best is good enough,” Curnow said.

“We are rated number one in offence and defence for a reason, so you hope you can carry that on and play four quarters of footy.

“I feel if you can play four quarters of footy in any game you can win, but I’m not sure in a grand final any team ever quite plays four quarters because you are up against a good team that can fire a few shots.

“But if we just aim to reset after every break and on having really good 30-minute blocks, it should put us in pretty good stead.”

The Dragons will have all three football teams involved in grand finals, with the reserves and under-18s taking on Golden Square.

A massive and exciting day for the club will extend to the netball courts where A-grade, A-reserve, B-reserve and 17-and-under will vie for flags.

Sandhurst will be aiming for back-to-back flags in all three football grades, after clinching the trifecta for the first time in their 160-plus year history in 2024.