Dragons’ winning warning

Bell Park not ‘talking finals’ but planning to ‘bring effort every week’

Bell Park coach James Saker says that the Dragons’ upset win over Colac is evidence they have improved since their eighth-place finish in 2023.

The Dragons trailed at quarter and halftime and led by just three points heading into the final term but managed to kick clear of Colac to secure a 17point round 1 win in an arm wrestle at Hamlyn Park.

It is an ominous sign that Bell Park means business in 2024 given Colac lost just four games last season to finish in second spot.

South Warrnambool recruit Ollie Bridgewater was one of the Dragons’ best in his first game for the club, while former VFL Cats Ben Worme and Ben Lloyd, and Willson Mack – who kicked 2.4 – also performed strongly.

Lloyd was pivotal in the final quarter with the game on the line, taking several intercept marks to steady the ship for the Dragons, with Stephen Benstead also strognd d

Former Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon player Jonathan Simpkin provided some resistance for the Tigers, kicking four of their six goals for the match.

Saker said the win was great reward for effort.

“Something we’ve been trying to work on is playing four quarters of footy, something we didn’t do last year at all really,” Saker said.

“It gives us confidence that we are improving. I thought we were capable of performing like that (on Saturday) but to then go and do it against a side we really respect, it gives us confirmation that there’s improvement there.

“A bit early to be talking finals I would’ve thought but if we bring that effort every week I think we’ll be in every game we play – put it that way.

“It was one of those games every possession was under pressure and for our guys to withstand that and play four quarters was pleasing. Obviously to start the season with four points is an added bonus.”

He praised Bridgewater’s Dragons debut and believes he has plenty of improvement left in him.

“He is a premiership ruckman out of South Warrnambool so he is a good young kid, still got a lot of growth and a lot of development,” Saker said.

“He is hard working and he just adds a bit of a physical presence around the contest for us as much as anything.”

Bell Park has a winnable match against St Albans while Colac has a tough assignment at home against Newtown & Chillwell.