Sandhurst FNC

Best & Fairest Count

This Friday!

AFL Grand Final “Eve”…

Friday 25 September, 7pm at The Hotel Shamrock.

Tickets $20 inc light finger food - email or phone Danny Ellis

Drinks at bar prices.

2009 GRAND FINAL REVIEWS

A Reserve

It took until midmay mark of the third quarter before Sandhurst could gain the upper hand against Kangaroo Flat in the A reserve match.

Goals were at a premium for both teams in the first half.

Flat’s defenders, Kirstie Harvey and Anna Dawson applied great pressure forcing Briona Giddings and Pru Fox to work diligently in and around the goal circle. The Roos’ Nina Cass provided leadership on court and a focal point in the goal circle.

Sandhurst lifted its tempo in the third quarter. Fox and Giddings continued to work the ball closer to the goal post to maximise their scoring opportunities.

The Hurst led by three goals with a quarter to play.

For the final quarter, Sandhurst made a match winning change moving Jenny Holborn medallist, Giddings to centre and brought veteran goal shooter, Jannaya Webb onto the court for the first time. Giddings was a steadying influence in the midcourt and the experienced Webb enabled Fox to have more of an impact on the game. Sandhurst won its third premiership for the day.

Sandhurst 5 14 24 38 Kangaroo Flat 6 14 21 30 Best on court: Briona Giddings (Sandhurst).

B Grade

The B grade was a closely-fought contest until rain pelted down at the 13-minute mark of the first quarter.

Sandhurst adjusted best to the wet, slippery court and through the consistent play of goal attack Karen Dealy gained a five-goal lead.

Kangaroo Flat’s Laura Brooks entertained the crowd when unsure of her footwork shot a goal side-on to the goal post. Kangaroo Flat wing attack Lauren McEwan was a steadying influence in the mid court. Ellie McGrath and Jessica Verbeek shone in the defensive circle for Hurst, and Olivia Gedye’s workrate was outstanding.

Sandhurst continued on its shooting spree in the last, with Eloise Gibbs in fine form.

Sandhurst 9 20 30 40Kangaroo Flat 8 15 21 26 Best on court: Olivia Gedye (Sandhurst).

Under 17

Sandhurst won back-to-back 17-under premierships as it defeated a fast-finishing Kangaroo Flat by five goals.

The Hurst’s Jordan Arthur and Stephanie Strachan provided precise passing to goalers Gabriella Greene and Abby Gilmore.

The Flat’s goal attack Ellie Fitch started to find form in the second.

Sandhurst wing defence Eilish Dean displayed tremendous determination on a Kangaroo Flat centre pass. Getting a tip to the ball, Dean chased it and managed to keep the ball in play as she dived and slid along the asphalt. A shot by Fitch dropped through without touching the ring, but it was Sandhurst which won a top contest.

Sandhurst 16 30 43 52 Kangaroo Flat 10 23 36 47 Best on court: Abby Gilmore (Sandhurst).

Thirds Football

GOLDEN Square full-forward Bryce Curnow completed one of the most dominant performances in Bendigo Football League under-18 grand final history in Saturday’s win against Sandhurst.

Curnow kicked 10.5 in a 109-point victory as the Bulldogs celebrated being the unbeaten champions of 2009.

By quarter-time, Square led 41-7, with Sandhurst’s sole reply being a goal on the run by Jaran McKay. Sandhurst was first to goal in the second quarter when Simon Hanns was on target on the run in the third minute. The Bulldogs’ direct play continually put the heat on the Dragons’ defence. By half-time Curnow had kicked five goals as the Dogs led 70-15.

The final goal of the half was set up when Leigh Coates’ kick after a Sandhurst point went 60m toward the city end and was marked near the Aquatic Centre wing by Curnow. A series of passes ended with a Braeden Deary goal. Golden Square’s pressure never let up in the second half, and the Jamie Morgan-coached Dragons kept on working hard.

Curnow kicked consecutive goals before the Dragons replied as Cory Lobb roved a marking duel at half-forward, swooped on the ball and sprinted clear. The Dogs ended the term with goals from Brandon Worner and Paterson from snapshots.  Golden Square dominated the centre breaks and inside 50m tally in the final term. Major interest centred on whether Curnow would kick the three goals needed to reach 10.

A Shane Lowry mark and goal was followed by Curnow’s eighth. Brett Monti joined in the goalkicking spree before Sandhurst scored consecutive goals for the first time in the contest when Tom Dee and Lachlan Collins were on target. Curnow’s ninth was followed by Luke Savy being on the end of a series of handpasses when the Dogs forced a turnover at half-forward to goal.

A tumbling kick at goal by Dale Lowry, the George Symons medallist as the competition’s best and fairest and Bulldogs’ captain was marked by Curnow near goal. Just as he had done nine times before, the Dogs’ full-forward was on target and shortly after he was presented with the Rod Ashman Medal by the Carlton and Eaglehawk champion.

Match stats - Centre breaks - Golden Square: 19. Sandhurst: 11. Inside 50m - Golden Square: 50. Sandhurst: 26