Saker’s Dragons build confidence for big block of games

BELL PARK is preparing for a big block of five games following their most consistent performance of the GFL seniors season.

The Dragons face Grovedale tomorrow (Saturday, June 7) at Burdoo Reserve at 2.10pm before taking on St Albans, ladder-leader St Joseph’s, reigning premier Leopold and finals fancy Newtown and Chilwell before the next league bye.

Saker said his sixth-placed team was striving to give the forwards better looks inside-50.

“If we can ensure that that part of our game is solid, then that’ll help us make the most of the opportunities we get, because we think we’re getting our hands on it enough.”

To the coach’s delight, the Dragons beat Geelong West Giants by 62 points before the league bye after trailing by nine points at quarter time.

“It’s probably the first game for the year that we’ve been able to put all the elements of our game together consistently across four quarters,” Saker said.

 

“It was pretty tricky with the breeze and it was a pretty physical game as well.”

Bell Park has a 3-3 win-loss record and have won two in a row since losing to St Joseph’s by 79 points.

“We haven’t been as consistent as we would have liked,” Saker said.

“But take away the St Joeys game, I think we’ve been right in the mix and just need to keep working on certain elements of our game to be able to keep pressure on teams above us.”

Ollie Bridgewater has returned to training following his broken leg, while captain and star midfielder Lachie Patten is not far from a return from osteitis pubis. Jack McMahon is also on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Bell Park junior Hugo Mikunda has been selected for the Vic Country under-18 boys’ representative squad for the national championships, with the campaign starting tomorrow in Perth.