Year of the Dragon plays out on footy field

THE Year of the Dragon rang true as Sandhurst won all three of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL footy grand finals to cap an incredible 2024 season.

For the first time in its history dating back to 1861, Sandhurst won the senior, reserves and under-18s premierships on the same day as it tackled Gisborne in all matches on Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Dragons’ defensive efforts in the second and fourth quarters, and five-goal blitz in the third were crucial in a 68-64 victory.

Gisborne cut a 27-point deficit at the start of the final quarter to just 15 by the three-minute mark and to within nine by the 15th minute.

Moments after a spectacular mark and shot at goal which missed, Sandhurst key forward Fergus Greene slotted his first major on the run.

Goals by Gisborne captain Pat McKenna and young gun James Gray from the 50-metre arc meant the Dogs were within four points at the 31-minute mark.

Just over three minutes later and it was Sandhurst that celebrated its first senior premiership in eight years.

Sandhurst captain Lachlan Tardrew capped a brilliant season in which he was joint winner of the Michelsen Medal as league fairest and best with Gisborne’s Braidon Blake and Brad Bernacki by earning the Nalder Medal as BOG in the grand final.

On the netball court, Gisborne marked a club first as back-to-back A-grade premier.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne was down by nine goals in the third quarter of the showdown with the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat.

Young goalshooter Torie Skrijel was best on court in the 43-41 victory.

Gisborne scored a one-goal win against Sandhurst in B-grade, but was beaten on a last-shot goal by Strathfieldsaye in A-reserve, and went down to the Dragons in B-reserve.

In other results, Sandhurst won the 17-and-under final against Golden Square.