Pop quiz – how many times has Sandhurst defeated Strathfieldsaye in the past three years?
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Considering the two clubs have won the past three flags between them you’d expect a fairly even split. Right? Wrong.
The teams have played 10 times in that period and the Storm hold a dominant 8-2 record over the Dragons.
The power clubs meet for the 11th time in three years at the QEO on Saturday.
While the Storm go into the game as strong favourites to make it a 9-2 record, Sandhurst coach Wayne Primmer is confident his side, despite its injury concerns, can cause an upset.
“I’m feeling very good about this week and can’t wait for the game to come,’’ Primmer said on Friday.
“We’ll have to play near our best footy to match them. We’ve played to our best in patches this year, but not for four quarters.
“(In round one) we gave them a seven-and-a-half goal start, that won’t be happening this time around.”
Mitch Dole (hamstring tightness) is once again on the sidelines for Sandhurst, but big men Tim Martin and Matt Thornton are back.
It’s the big man department where Sandhurst could potentially stretch the Storm.
Saturday marks the first game this year that Martin, Thornton and young ruckman Lachlan Watson have played together.
With the Storm light on for height down back, the Dragons look set to start two of Thornton, Martin and Watson inside forward 50 alongside full-forward Matt Gray.
“We could go with a tall forward line, but unless we get our hands on the footy in the middle of the ground it won’t matter who we play forward,’’ Primmer said.
“Strathfieldsaye are a very efficient team, they use the ball well and they make the most of their opportunities.
“If we let them get first use of the ball then they’ll make us pay.”
While the Dragons’ injury curse has been well-documented, the Storm will also be without several key players on Saturday.
Jayden Donaldson, Kell Smith, Brad Stringer, Brad Rohde, Tom Dowd and Harry Crone are all missing from the Storm’s best 22.
Strathfieldsye hasn’t lost since round two and another victory over the Dragons would potentially give the Storm a 10-point buffer to fourth place and it would be hard to see them missing the double chance for the finals.
