![Sandhurst premiership captain Blair Holmes. Sandhurst premiership captain Blair Holmes.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/shjDWP57NvFsN4SYJTNkJk/d6a9a4dc-016f-43b3-92ec-dc7b98ab5fcb.JPG/r0_0_3874_2419_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Sandhurst captain Blair Holmes says the hunger to taste premiership glory again is driving his team-mates ahead of Saturday’s BFNL season-opener against Strathfieldsaye.
The Dragons broke a 12-year premiership drought last September when they defeated Golden Square in the BFNL grand final.
Holmes said the Dragons were desperate to experience that feeling again.
“When we first started pre-season we spoke about that hunger,’’ Holmes said.
“We know this year we have to work even harder this year than we did last year and the boys haven’t put a foot wrong in the pre-season.
“Everyone is on the same page for what we need to do to step up our game this year.
“The boys are pretty keen to get back to where we were last year.
“That feeling around the club after the reserves and seniors won last year was amazing and it’s something you never forget.
“After losing two grand finals in a row you realise how hard it is to make a grand final, let alone win one.
“We know we have a long road ahead of us this year if we want to do it again. The hunger is there and if we do everything right on and off the field we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
The Dragons kick-off their title defence with some new faces of sorts in the senior team.
Former Carlton and Richmond midfielder Andy Collins returns to his home club after helping Bridgewater to multiple flags in the LVFNL.
2004 Sandhurst premiership hero Wayne Mitrovic has made a shock return to the club and is pushing for senior selection in round one.
“It’s been great to have Andy and Wayne back at the club,’’ Holmes said.
“They’ve created a buzz around the playing group. We’re looking forward to playing alongside them.”
After a slow start to pre-season training, Collins hasn’t missed a beat on the track and impressed in the Dragons’ practice matches.
The Storm will serve up a new-look squad to the Dragons on Saturday.
“The Storm are a bit of an unknown,’’ Holmes said.
“We know they’ve got a very good list, but we need to focus on the way we want to play footy.”
Sandhurst’s 24-man squad for Saturday’s game at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye:
W. Mitrovic, A. Parry, M. Thornton, C. Price, A. McKinley, X. Walsh, L. Ross, L. Ireland, J. Hann, J. Wharton, B. Robertson, G. Munari, S. Greene, M. Gray, A. Wharton, N. Stagg, M. Dole, L. O'Sullivan, A. Collins, T. Martin, L. Coghlan, B. Montague, B. Holmes, K. Height.