AS disappointed as he was not to have won the senior premiership, Sandhurst coach Brett Fitzpatrick said the players had plenty to be proud about.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Despite going into the Bendigo Football Netball League senior grand final as outsiders and beset by injury concerns, the Dragons showed plenty of fight against Strathfieldsaye Storm.
“In the past two weeks (preliminary and grand final) we have shown we really want to be in the contest,” Fitzpatrick said.
“We showed we are not intimidated as a group.
“Finals football is a lot more physical than during the year and we showed we really want to compete.
“In the grand final we just kept at it and kept at it. Our plan was to take the game on and we did.
“Strathfieldsaye is a very good side and it’s experience showed out in this match.”
Fitzpatrick said the second quarter fightback showed a lot about the Dragons spirit.
“The end to the second quarter was really good.
“We had built momentum and to be within five points at half-time was a great effort.
“Unfortunately for us it was Strathfieldsaye which made the most of its scoring chances in the third quarter.”
Sandhurst’s best in the fight for the premiership cup were Lachlan Ross, Tom Cole, Mitch Dole, Matt Thornton, Lee Coghlan and captain Blair Holmes.
There’s no guarantee Sandhurst will be back playing in next year’s grand final, but Fitzpatrick said Saturday’s experience would be a huge plus going forward.
“We have to take a lot of positives from this, not just our play in the grand final, but the whole season,” Fitzpatrick said.
“The senior team played four finals, which was a fantastic effort.
“The confidence and belief gained from the preliminary final against Gisborne was fantastic for what is such a young group.”
Fitzpatrick’s reign as Sandhurst coach began by winning the opening 11 rounds before Storm triumphed at the QEO in round 12.
“It was a really exciting start to the season. The movement of the ball was unbelievable at times.
“Defensive pressure and quick release were a priority in every game we played.
“The first seven weeks of the season we played exceptional football.”
For Sandhurst FNC to have all three football teams feature in the grand final, two victorious, is a feat to be remembered.
