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UNDERDOG status was thrown aside as Sandhurst made a brilliant start to the Bendigo Football Netball League’s reserves grand final against Golden Square.
A fired-up Dragons team scored five goals in an opening term blitz as onballers Jarrod Bateson and Seb Greene set up many attacks.
James Smith was on target for Sandhurst in the third minute before Square replied through Darcy Hawker just two minutes later.
The Dragons scored the next four goals through Dooley Niemann, Fraser McCarthy, Josh Hann and Niemann again for a 31-8 lead at quarter-time.
A melee between all players broke out on the Aquatic Cente wing just seconds after the quarter-time siren. Order was restrored quickly.
The Dragons led 39-10 at the 10-minute mark of the second as Luke Ross was the only player to goal.
Seb Greene then put in a nomination for goal of the day honours with a great kick from near the point post on the boundary in the swimming pool pocket at the Barnard Street end.
By half-time Sandhurst led 46-11.
When Niemann kicked his third in the fourth minute of the third term it looked a matter of how far Sandhurst.
A goal by Golden Square captain Leigh Coates in the eighth minute was answered by Niemann when he clutched a Greene-pass in one-hand.
The Bulldogs were within 28 points after Nick Demeo goaled.
Brilliant play by Sandhurst’s Lachlan Zimmer at half-forward was capped by a Jamie Stagg goal.
In this match it was Sandhurst which had all the answers.
The Jamie Hogan-coached Bulldogs were first to goal in the final term through Braeden Deary.
Goals by Greene, Stagg, Niemann and Michael Dee capped the Dragons’ excellent teamwork and non-stop run.
Last goal honours went to Golden Square’s Blayne Ryan-Storey, but it was the Brenton Dillon-coached Sandhurst which celebrated a comprehensive 10-goal victory.
The classy Jarrod Bateson the R.F. Turner Medal for best afield.
There were many outstanding performers in the Dragons victory.
McCarthy, Zimmer, Greene, Niemann and Liam Ireland won plenty of contests.
Best for the Bulldogs were Michael Fitzgerald, Steven Kairn, Coates and Deary.
Golden Square had won the second semi-final against Sandhurst in extra time, but it was the maroon and blue who would be premiers this year.
For Dillon it was a fifth premiership at Sandhurst, the previous four had been at under-18 or reserves.
“Today was a sensational effort by all the boys,” Dillon said shortly after accepting the premiership cup.
“A lot of our focus pre-game was to start well and keep the pressure on.
“The work by our running players, delivery to advantage and defensive efforts was excellent all match.”
Dillon said a goal all season was to replicate the style of the senior team.
“The firsts like to play a running game, so it’s what we try and do in the reserves,” said Dillon.
“It’s a really young team we had on the field today.”
A premiership winning player with Sandhurst’s seniors in 2004, Keiran Nihill played a key role in the reserves run to glory.