Bendigo Advertiser |Sandhurst retains Graeme Wright Cup as it beats Bendigo Football League arch-rival South Bendigo by 43 points at QEO.
The Dragons were in control for most of the contest between the Queen Elizabeth Oval co-tenants, although the Bloods did make a spirited comeback at the start of the final term.
In the 18th Cup clash, honouring late South Bendigo defender and popular clubman Graeme Wright, it was the Dragons who raced to a 25-nil lead as Lee Coghlan, Ryan Haythorpe, Fergus Greene and Nick Stagg were on target.
Bloods' key forward Ben Edwards had been stretchered off and taken to hospital after a collision in a marking duel.
South Bendigo's persistence was rewarded when Darby Walsh goaled on the run in the 20th minute.
In the second term, Jake Twycross, Zac East and Lachlan Ross all goaled for Sandhurst.
A superb pass by Jake Connaughton was marked by Jayden Sheean to score South's only goal of the term in the 24th minute.
The Bloods make a great start to the second half.
Sheean's second goal was followed by a major to Brady Bolch after a brilliant piece of play by Joel Swatton to force a turnover in the centre of the ground.
In the process of winning the ball, Swatton injured his ribs and sternum and took no further part in the game.
Playing in his first senior game, Fergus Greene scored two goals and Ross and Joel Wharton capped team play in a four-goal run.
The Bloods did not give up.
Young ruckman Kieran Strachan kicked consecutive goals.
Cohen Balnaves roved a contest and snapped truly.
Jake Connaughton was on the end of a handpass from captain and cousin Aaron Connaughton and a snapshot bounced truly.
When Balnaves goaled on the run the Bloods had scored five consecutive goals in just nine minutes.
Dragons' captain Blair Holmes won another possession at a stoppage and goaled on the run.
The hardworking Adam Parry and Joel Wharton goaled to push the margin to 42 points.
South's only miss at goal for the match was a poster by Niall McDonagh.
Sandhurst coach Brett Fitzpatrick praised the play of Holmes and Parry to wrest control after South's run at the start of the last quarter.
"At times we over-used the footy, but we responded well to a couple of fightbacks."
Fitzpatrick said Parry, a dual Harding medallist as best and fairest in the Loddon Valley when at Bridgewater, continues to impress.
"He is improving with every game. His give and return, and disposal have gone to another level."
The Dragons also had key forward Ben Anderson sidelined after he injured a shoulder.
