Bendigo Advertiser | SANDHURST coach Brett Fitzpatrick is steeling himself for a major selection headache.
In the next two weeks the Dragons will welcome back two-time Michelsen Medal-winning ruckman Tim Martin, full-forward Ryan Haythorpe and key defender Andy O’Connor.
Matt Gray stepped into Haythorpe’s shoes at full-forward and has given the Dragons a real spark.
His athleticism and speed off the mark was impressive against Strathfieldsaye, but he didn’t kick straight. He backed up with a bag of six goals against Maryborough last Saturday.
Youngster Tom May has slotted in well across half-back in O’Connor’s absence and would be very stiff to be dropped.
The depth in key position posts is something that Fitzpatrick didn’t have at his disposal in last year’s finals series and it hurt the Dragons.
“Matt Gray and Tom May have made the most of their opportunities,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“We know that they are more than capable of playing a role for us.
“They have put a lot of pressure on a few guys to perform, particularly with the finals coming up.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it’s a nice problem for us to have.”
The forward line is where the main selection quandary is for the Dragons.
Martin has played limited footy this year and will spend more time inside forward 50 than he has in the past.
Haythorpe has been hampered by injuries and has only kicked 13 goals in eight games, while Ben Anderson has struggled in front of goal, kicking eight goals in 10 games, but he does have the flexibility of being able to play as a key defender.
While Sandhurst’s plethora of small forwards and midfielders have hit the scoreboard regularly this season, the Dragons will need their big men firing when the September action begins.
History shows the majority of BFNL premiership teams have had at least one dominant key forward.
Anderson, Gray and potentially Haythorpe will get an opportunity to add to their goal kicking tally this Saturday when the Dragons host the out of form Kangaroo Flat at the QEO.
The Roo defence has conceded more than 120 points the past two games, with Eaglehawk full-forward Matt Gretgrix kicking 11 goals against Flat last Saturday. The Dragons won the round five battle with the Roos by 76 points, but it could have been much more had Sandhurst kicked straight.
