BACK-TO-BACK premierships in the reserves competition is a feat rarely achieved in recent years.
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The Jamie Hogan-coached Golden Square will be aiming to do so in tomorrow’s clash with Sandhurst.
Square leads the ledger, 2-1 in this season’s battles with the Dragons.
The latest contest ended in an 11-point win for the Bulldogs as the second semi-final went into extra time.
A premiership victory for the Dragons would cap a great feat by first-year coaches Brenton Dillon and assistant Josh White.
Dillon said yesterday the team learnt a lot from the latest hit-out with Square.
“All year we have finished games off well, but Square was better in extra time.
“Our kicking for goal has to improve,” Dillon said.
A key to Sandhurst’s play is its run and skill through midfield.
A key player in the Dragons’ senior premiership victory in 2004, Keiran Nihill is kicking on.
“He’s such an important player for us,” Dillon said.
“It’s not just his running ability and skill that makes him a great player, but his talk around the ground.”
Younger players such as Liam Ireland, Fraser McCarthy, Dooley Niemann and Matt Gray have played well all season.
A big challenge for the Dragons will be limiting the influence of the competition’s leading goalkicker, Jack Burns, 37, and Braeden Deary, who kicked five in the second semi-final win.
The Bulldogs have the classy Jacob Greenwood lurking in attack, Regan Harvey playing off half-back, and regain Ewen Pickles.
Sandhurst’s attack is led by Luke Ross, 35, and Josh Hann, 34.
Coaching on grand final day is what Golden Square’s Jamie Hogan has done.
He has a win-loss record of 3-2 across grand finals at under-18 or reserves level with the Bulldogs.
“This season we have had a high turnover because of injuries in the seniors. Todd Deary (under-18s coach) and the under-18s have given us great support.
“We go into this grand final with one of our strongest teams, but now we have to work hard to limit Sandhurst’s space and run. It’s a complete team effort to get there and to win.”
Saturday's reserves clash starts at 11.40am.