Bendigo Advertiser | SANDHURST coach Brett Fitzpatrick is taking no notice of South Bendigo’s ladder position ahead of Saturday’s round 10 BFNL clash at the QEO.
South Bendigo is second last on the BFNL ladder with two wins from nine games, but that matters little to Fitzpatrick.
Despite the Dragons defeating South Bendigo by 86 points in their previous encounter in round three, Fitzpatrick rates the Bloods the fifth best team in the competition.
“South Bendigo have probably disappointed themselves a little bit by losing a couple of those close games, but I don’t think they’ve disappointed the football world at all, considering the expectations at the start of the year,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“Having played everyone once now, I rate South Bendigo the best team outside of the top four. Our guys respect South Bendigo because they brought a fair bit to the table against us.
“That game was early in the season, so they’ve probably improved a fair bit since then.”
Fitzpatrick expects the improving Bloods to “knock over” one of the finals-bound teams by the end of the season.
With Matt Thornton (injured), arguably the Dragons’ most important player, and reliable defender Andy O’Connor (overseas) both sidelined this weekend, Fitzpatrick is well aware the Dragons face a danger game.
“We’ll have a couple of new guys get their chance down back and Lachlan Ross has played a role down back for us when needed,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“It’s not going to be a comfortable contest. It’s going to be a challenge and it’s something that we’ll need to work for.”
Thornton’s absence could be particularly telling for the Dragons, with the key position star also used in attack when Ben Anderson and Ryan Haythorpe have struggled.
“We won’t get the chance to stretch the South defence with extra height, so some of the small and medium-sized guys will need to put their hands up around goals,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
Versatile big man Tom May will make his senior debut for the Dragons, while exciting teenager Fergus Greene is also in the mix to play his first senior game for the club.
May will get the job on one of South Bendigo’s key forwards.
“Tom was very good for the club in the under-18s a couple of years ago and then basically missed all of last year,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“He’s played some good footy for us in the reserves this year and deserves his opportunity.
“He has played in the ruck in the reserves, so he gives us some flexibility.”
South Bendigo ruckman Kieran Strachan has been one of the good news stories for the season for the Bloods.
His battle in the ruck with Tom Calvert and May will be critical to the outcome of the game.
