FOR its past six matches Sandhurst has been in cruise control.
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Since its round one loss to Strathfieldsaye, the Dragons have won six-straight games by margins of 61, 86, 118, 76, 88 and 117 points.
In that period they’ve lost just three of the 24 quarters of footy they’ve played.
As well as the Dragons have performed, the question mark that hangs over their heads is can they produce the same standard of footy against quality opposition?
Saturday at MyJet Oval will go some way to answering that question when the Dragons meet Golden Square.
Sandhurst coach Brett Fitzpatrick was confident the lack of opposition his side had faced in recent weeks wouldn’t hinder its chances of defeating its arch-rival.
“Any danger (of a mental let-down) would only be based on complacency and if we hadn’t seen any improvement in individuals or as a team in the weeks prior,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“We’ve certainly been improving each week, but I guess we won’t know for sure about complacency until after the game. The fact that we’re playing Golden Square at Golden Square should be more than enough to ensure the players are ready.”
Sandhurst has won its past three matches against Golden Square, including a nine-goal thumping of the Bulldogs in the corresponding clash last year.
“From my understanding there’s no love lost between the two clubs,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“I’m not sure that the past results will have too much bearing. Both sides have a fairly new make-up this year.”
The absence of Golden Square star Jack Geary will help the Dragons, but forward Corey Jones returns and shapes as a nightmare match-up for the Hurst defence.
“In the past we’ve had Patty Jennings to play on someone with that physical strength (like Jones),’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“Patty is obviously not there this year and we’ve spoken about our options. Someone like James Coghlan deserves a chance to go with a really high-regarded opponent and Andy O’Connor got the job on Jones the first time we played Square last year.
“Irrespective of who plays on Jones, they are in for a big challenge.”
At Barkers Oval, Eaglehawk will be looking for a percentage-boosting win over bottom side Maryborough.
Eaglehawk had trouble with Maryborough last season, winning by just nine points at Canterbury Park and it led the Pies by just seven points at the final change of their clash in Maryborough before going on to win by seven goals.
“Even in one of our premiership years Maryborough beat us that year,’’ Eaglehawk coach Luke Monaghan said.
“You can never go to Maryborough and take them lightly.”
Monaghan declared star midfielder Brodie Filo a certain starter. Filo didn’t finish last Saturday’s inter-league game because of a shoulder complaint.
At Flight Centre Park, reigning premier Strathfieldsaye should make it eight wins in a row when it hosts Gisborne.
With the addition of 100-gamer Lachlan Sharp, Matt Ferguson and Matt Smith, the Storm have strengthened their forward half and midfield and will be too classy for a Gisborne outfit that has averaged less than five goals per game in its past three matches. The Bulldogs regain Matt Knox, but giving the key forward quality service will be an issue for Gisborne.
South Bendigo and Castlemaine meet in a crucial clash at the QEO.
The winner will maintain touch with the top five, while the loser can probably kiss goodbye any chance it has of making the finals.