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THE AFL Victoria Country Medal that sits in his bedroom evokes mixed emotions for Sandhurst’s Codie Price.

While proud that he performed well on the big stage of BFNL grand final day last year, it’s outweighed by the disappointment that there isn’t a premiership medal accompanying it.

Price was awarded the AFL Victoria Country Medal in the Dragons’ seven-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in last year’s grand final.

“That medal is just sitting in my room. It’s a bit mixed when I look at it because obviously I would have preferred the premiership medal. An individual award like that isn’t what you want in a team sport,” Price said this week.

The 22-year-old who in recent seasons has become one of the BFNL’s elite attacking defenders was also a member of Sandhurst’s losing grand final team in 2014.

“All the guys who have been through the past couple of grand final losses won’t want to go through that again, so it will be a fairly big motivator on the weekend,” Price said.

“It’s a bit of a sick feeling when you know you’ve put in all the hard work during the year, but haven’t been able to get any reward.”

On Saturday Price – who has been named in a back pocket in the Bendigo Advertiser Team of the Year – will get a third crack at winning a flag when the Dragons take on Golden Square at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

“There’s no guarantees in footy, so we’re glad that we have got another opportunity on Saturday and a bit of extra drive to go one better this year,” Price said.

The Dragons are coached this year by Wayne Primmer – Price’s uncle.

Saturday is a chance for Primmer to be involved in a second premiership in a row after he was last year an assistant coach when Benalla won the Goulburn Valley league flag.

“It’s been really good playing under Wayne. He’s added a few different structures and he’s definitely more coach than uncle now,” Price said.

After winning last year’s best and fairest, Price has had another ripping season for the Dragons, with his ball-use out of the defensive 50 having again been a key weapon for Sandhurst.

There are some at the Dragons who believe his season has been so good Price may well provide a strong challenge to Michelsen medallist Kristan Height in the Sandhurst best and fairest.

“I’m not the best defender in the league, but I like to use my skills and hurt teams the other way,” said Price, originally from Woorinen and a former Bendigo Pioneer.

“My instructions are to just go out there and take the game on more than anything and not be scared to take a risk.”