The lure to play alongside some good mates and to try something different after playing their entire senior careers with Sandhurst was the attraction for the duo.

Stagg, 30, and Ross, 27, join a Kerang side with a strong BFNL flavour, including coach Troy Coates, Bryce Curnow, Sam Heavyside and former Sandhurst defender Josh Hann.

"It was a decision we've been mulling over for a month or so,'' Stagg, who played 215 senior games for the Dragons and was co-captain in 2021, said.

"We were seeking a little bit of a change, but the main thing is we've both got some great mates that play at Kerang and they're mates we haven't had the chance to play footy with before.

"We wanted a bit of a change-up and we get to play with those blokes, so while we're still getting a kick ourselves we thought this was the right time to do it.

"It does leave us with the chance to come back to Sandhurst in a few years and finish our careers there.

"We leave Sandhurst on good terms. We love the players, we love the coaching staff and we love the club - there's no doubting that at all.

"It was an itch that we wanted to scratch, so we're going to scratch it."

Stagg and Ross were integral members of the Dragons' 2016 premiership side.

They both had good seasons in 2021, particularly Ross, who is arguably favourite to win the club's best and fairest award after a dominant season across half-back.

Stagg said informing the club they were leaving was tough.

Read more: Sandhurst assistant coach departs to take on North Bendigo coaching role

"Ash was really good about it,'' Stagg said.

"He's disappointed, but he knows it's footy at the end of the day. He's welcomed us back with open arms if we need to do any training sessions.

"In terms of the players, we said our goodbyes via our team page, but I thought it was necessary that I sent a personal note to Blair, Leeroy, Bear (Thornton) and Alex Wharton just to thank them for the last decade.

"They're my best mates and they were a big reason why I stayed at the club for long. I just wanted to let them know how tough the decision was.

"At the end of the day I'm only going to play footy and I'm sure I'll still be going out with them every second Saturday night.

"It's probably not a situation I thought I'd ever find myself in. I always thought I'd just play at Sandhurst.

Read more: Catch up on the latest local footy news

"Maybe the situation of the past two years has changed things. Enthusiasm for football has probably waived at times and maybe a refresher at Kerang is what we both need."

The duo join a large group of Bendigo-based Kerang players.

"They have 20-odd players who live in Bendigo,'' Stagg said.

"It's not like it's Yak (Ross) and I driving up there each weekend. They have a bus trip up there and back and our good mate Josh Hann can't speak higher of the club.

"We're excited about it all."

Coates said Kerang was delighted to attain the services of two quality BFNL players.

"There's a strong friendship group that's been around for a while, so that's why both players have come across to us,'' Coates said.

"They're great players, but also great people and they'll fit in really well with our group.

"The great thing for our club is that they're coming for the right reasons.

"It's not about money, it's about playing with their mates. They've both given Sandhurst unbelievable service and no-one can hold their decision against them."

Coates said Ross was likely to play a similar role with Kerang as to the half-back role he played with Sandhurst, while he added Stagg's grunt at stoppages and attack on the footy would compliment the Blues' midfield group.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: