CDHBU senior coach, George Sandral believes Coreen is not far away from breaking a premiership drought.
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Ben Black
CDHBU senior football coach George Sandral believes his side is closing in on a premiership challenge with greater depth and a demanding pre-season is set to shape the club’s 2027 campaign.
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The Power has reached the finals in four consecutive seasons but hoping to turn that consistency into silverware.
Despite suffering an elimination final defeat to Osborne, Sandral said the team’s improvement throughout the season had reinforced his belief that CDHBU was not far away from challenging for a flag.
“I was very proud of the group,” Sandral said.
“The development we were able to have across the season, I thought we improved a lot from the earlier rounds to the later rounds.”
Sandral pointed to Powers' performance against Osborne during the season, who he rated among the competition’s strongest sides, as evidence of their potential.
However, he acknowledged that greater consistency across the home-and-away season would be crucial if CDHBU was to secure a top-two finish and the best possible chance to contend for a premiership.
Depth has been key, with injuries and player unavailability previously making it difficult for United to maintain their best form.
The list management had left him confident the club could assemble a group of 30 to 35 senior players capable of stepping up when required.
“When fully fit… we’ve felt that we’re good enough to beat anyone,” he said.
“But when you get a couple of unavailability’s and injuries throughout the season, we just haven’t been able to capitalise."
The Powers’ young brigade will remain central to their plans, with Sandral excited by the number of players aged between 17 and 21.
He said the youngsters had earned their opportunities through strong performances and had shown they could handle the pressure of finals football.
George Sandral with club stalwart Brad Talbot prior to the CDHBU reunion game, celebrating the 2006/07 premierships in July. Photo: CDHBU
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CDHBU
Among those to impress were 19-year-old ruckman Ollie Collins, who shouldered the responsibility in the ruck throughout the season.
Sandral highlighted mature midfielder Taylor Baker for his toughness and willingness to do the less glamorous work, including tackling, shepherding and providing support for teammates.
“They’re driving our standards and where we want to go,” he said of the emerging group.
The return of Kade Rowe is expected to provide another boost, with Sandral keen to surround the young players with experience and leadership to help them navigate difficult periods during games.
The club welcomed back Jimmy Hanrahan into the fold, as an assistant coach after injuries limited his opportunities at Ovens and Murray level at Yarrawonga.
Sandral said Hanrahan’s return was a significant boost for the group, while also acknowledging outgoing coach Kyle Docherty in establishing the foundations he would now build upon.
Having learned from Docherty over recent seasons, Sandral wants to create an environment where players feel supported to challenge themselves while maintaining the enjoyment and camaraderie that underpin the club.
Kyle Docherty's tenure as coach included a run of finals for the United identity, paving the way for Sandral to take the solo reins as coach. Photo CDHBU.
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CDHBU
But he believes a greater level of commitment will be required to translate potential into success.
“We really feel like you don’t get too many opportunities to go for success and have that opportunity, and we don’t want to waste it,” he said.
That message is already being put into practice, with players organising their own running sessions twice a week ahead of the official pre-season start at the end of November.
The motivation is heightened by the opportunity to end a 20-year premiership drought, with Sandral aware of what success would mean to the club’s players, supporters, past members and volunteers.
