Dragons, Hawks primed for top of the table clash

SANDHURST co-coach Bryce Curnow is tipping a strong response from the Dragons in their top of the ladder showdown against Eaglehawk on Saturday, after tasting defeat for the first time in their premiership defence last weekend.

Despite a strong finish, the Dragons were unable to overhaul Gisborne at the QEO, coming up 12 points short in a high-calibre rematch between last year’s grand finalists.

It was the same margin as it was at quarter time, after the Bulldogs jumped their rivals early, and one the Dragons could not rein in.

Curnow believed the fight they showed over the final three quarters would hold the Dragons in good stead against an in-form Eaglehawk, which joined top side Sandhurst and third-placed Gisborne at 5-1 with a big win over Castlemaine.

“I was happy with the comeback as at one stage it was out by over 20 points,” he said.

“So, to come back multiple times and challenge them was pretty impressive.

“We just couldn’t hit that final goal or two that would have got us in front and taken the game away from them.

“Gisborne are a good unit and probably had a bit to play for, losing to us in the grand final last year.

“I thought we did a lot right in big moments. They got that little jump on us at the start and were able to hold that gap throughout.

“Gisborne definitely outworked us early with their pressure. We’ve definitely done the same to a fair few teams this year. We certainly did it well against South Bendigo a fortnight ago.

“It was a good experience for a heap of our young boys, but unfortunately it didn’t quite fall our way.

“Hopefully we can take some key learnings away from it.”

Liam Ireland was the standout in defence for the Dragons, winning plenty of one-on-ones and rebounding strongly.

Curnow is viewing Eaglehawk in many ways as the perfect challenge for a team looking to bounce back from defeat, with the Hawks possessing multiple threats.

“Obviously some of their talls are in very good form; Clayton Holmes and their ruck Brayden Frost, and from an opposition coach perspective, Charlie Langford is one of my favourites to watch,” he said.

“Billy Evans has had a great start to the year and Jack O’Shannessy has been amongst the goals.

“We’ll have to pot a bit time into those boys, but more importantly we need not get back to playing our game.

“Maybe on the weekend we looked a bit too much at Gisborne’s strengths rather than playing our own game.

“We need to find that balance a little bit better.”

The Dragons have some injury concerns, with Caleb Connick suffering a hamstring injury and Lachlan Wright nursing a thumb injury.

Eaglehawk will carry plenty of momentum into the contest following a 79-point win over Castlemaine at Camp Reserve.

Co-coach Travis Matheson said there were good signs the Hawks were getting somewhere near their best football.

“It was a little bit of a danger game – that’s how we approached it,” he said.

“Josh Eyre looks like he could be an absolute star for them. Castlemaine have some really top-end class.

“They rolled us down there last year and the year before we beat them by a point, so it hasn’t been a great trip for us, so it was good to get away with a win.”

Co-coach Clayton Holmes starred for the Hawks with eight goals, including four in a dominant 51-7 opening quarter.

Jack O’Shannessy was the perfect complement with four goals, Billy Evans, Joel Budareck, Ben Thompson and Joel Mullen controlled the midfield, while Tyh Evans was creative from half back.

The win continued a solid few weeks for the Hawks, coming off the back of another big win against Strathfieldsaye.

Matheson believed the Hawks would relish the challenge of testing themselves against the reigning premiers.

“It will be a big game. They are obviously the benchmark and the team everyone is chasing at the minute,” he said.

“It will be good to get a look at them.

“A loss for them last week keeps the competition open.

“The midfield battle is going to be the big one. They set up behind the ball really well.

“So, if we’re not getting our hands on it at the stoppage, it will be hard to kick a score.

“There will be a big focus on the midfield battle for us.

“It would be good to finish the first block of games off well, play some good football and be thereabouts and get the win.”

Round 7 draw: Eaglehawk v Sandhurst; Gisborne v Golden Square; South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat; Strathfieldsaye v Castlemaine.