AT half-time of Saturday’s clash against South Bendigo, Sandhurst coach Brett Fitzpatrick was a worried man.
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The Dragons had been expected to score a percentage-boosting win over their QEO co-tenant, but at the main break the young Bloods trailed by just seven points and were taking the game right up to Sandhurst.
Some choice words from the coach and a couple of structural changes ignited the Dragons and they added 13 goals to one after the break to win 20.17 (137) to 8.3 (51).
“South Bendigo backed themselves, played on and were aggressive and in the first half our players didn’t give them the respect they deserved,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“We had a bit of a shake-up at half-time and in the third quarter we put it all together.
“Tim Martin had played deep forward and in the ruck in the first half. In the third quarter he stayed in the ruck and we started to dominate the clearances.
“Ben Anderson played out of the goal square , Matt Thornton was at centre half-forward and we had a few speedy players at their feet. That structure worked well for us and we kicked the ball better.”
Relieved to see his side turn it on in the second half, Fitzpatrick said the young Bloods were on the right track.
“South Bendigo will upset a few sides if they don’t give them respect,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“They’re only a young side, but they have a real go and they are willing to take the game on.”
Fitzpatrick said Lachlan Ross was clearly best on ground. The youngster started across half-back and spent time on the wing and across half-forward.
Midfielder Koe Ngawati also earned high praise from the coach.
“Koe is aggressive, committed to the contest and he’s only going to get better as the year goes on,’’ he said. “It looks like he’s really enjoying his footy.”
Codie Price, Zac East and Alex and Joel Wharton also played well for the Dragons.
Martin, the winner of the past two Michelsen medals, kicked three goals in his first game for the season.
The ruckman will play limited games in the first two-thirds of the season as he completes training with the Melbourne Fire Brigade.
“Marto can play the next two or three games with us and then he’ll have another block of MFB training where he will miss about a month of games,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
While the Bloods would have been disappointed to drop away in the second half, their first two quarters were full of encouragement.
Young ruckman Kieran Strachan impressed for the Bloods, Ben Allen did well at centre half-forward, Jacob Smythe was solid in defence and Joel Swatton was the pick of their midfielders.
The Dragons travel to Maryborough on Anzac Day, while the Bloods host Kyneton under lights on Saturday night.