Sandhurst loses star midfielder to broken jaw before grand final
Sandhurst's midfielder Brad Bernacki is sidelined with a broken jaw sustained in the preliminary final, just days before Saturday's Bendigo grand final.
Brad Bernacki, Sandhurst's star midfielder, suffered a broken jaw midway through the last quarter of the preliminary final win over Eaglehawk on Saturday. The injury rules him out of Saturday's grand final against Gisborne.
Coach Rob Waters said the team has midfield depth to absorb the loss, with Dylan Johnstone moving into Bernacki's role. Sandhurst are minor premiers chasing their first premiership since last year's shock grand final loss.
Gisborne, starting from fourth place, are bidding to become the first team in 25 years to win the Bendigo league premiership from outside the top three.
- 20 points
- Preliminary final margin
- 25 years
- Years since last fourth-place flag
- Minor premiers
- Sandhurst's placement
- Dylan Johnstone
- Replacement midfielder
Why it mattersThe loss of a team's best midfielder just before a grand final is a significant blow that could shift the balance of a closely matched contest.
AustraliaBendigo Football League grand final is a major local fixture; the injury adds drama to Saturday's match.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
