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BFNL reigning premier Sandhurst has lost two of its key premiership players.
Midfielder/forward Koe Ngawati and defender Brock Knights have left the club.
Ngawati has signed with Northern Football League division two club Thomastown, while Knights has returned home to Wodonga.
Ngawati kicked 14 goals in 14 senior games for the Dragons last year and was one of the club’s best players in the 32-point win over Golden Square in the grand final.
“Koe is going overseas mid-season and he has moved to Melbourne for work, so he’s decided to play footy in Melbourne before he goes (travelling),’’ Sandhurst coach Wayne Primmer said.
“It does hurt us because Koe is good at winning the ball, taking it away from clearances and kicking goals.
“It would be nice to keep him, but these things happen. One door closes and another door opens for one of the younger players.”
Knights spent one year with the Dragons where he established himself as a reliable running defender.
“Brock played some good footy with us… but he’s decided to play at home,’’ Primmer said.
“We’ve lost of the grand final team, but our depth is pretty good.
“We had 11 players who played in the reserves premiership that played in the seniors during the year and anyone of that 11 could have played in the senior grand final.”
The big inclusion to the Dragons’ squad in 2017 will be former Richmond and Carlton midfielder Andy Collins, who has signed with Sandhurst after playing in premierships with Loddon Valley Football Netball League power Bridgewater.
Sandhurst will play three Goulburn Valley Football League clubs in practice matches.
The Dragons’ pre-season campaign starts against Benalla at Colbinabbin on March 18, before a trip to Echuca to play Echuca on March 25 and a home clash with Rochester on April 1.
Sandhurst’s BFNL premiership defence starts with an away game against Strathfieldsaye on Saturday, April 15.
The Dragons will unfurl their premiership flag at the QEO in round two against Castlemaine.