Dragons out-gun Cannons
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Sandringham were supreme on Saturday morning against Calder, keeping them to just two goals in a 64-point win at RAMS Arena in Craigieburn.
The Dragons won 11.13 79 to 2.2 14 in another mature, no-frills performance to reinforce their eminence in the competition.
Max Heath got on top in the ruck early which allowed the visitors to dictate possession and own territory.
The Dragons kept the Cannons scoreless in the first quarter, barely allowing them beyond halfway.
Calder’s midfield flooded back to clog Sandy’s forward 50, before Eren Soylemez converted Sandringham’s first.
Sandy kicked a further four goals in a dewy first half, hitting dangerous areas when entering attack, while their pressure and work rate kept Calder goal-less.
Luca Macnab, in particular, was aggressive with his ball movement off half-back.
After halftime it looked a different game as the conditions dried-up, but it was the same dominant Sandy.
The quarter started as a stalemate, as was a theme of the day, but once Sandy got their first through Heath, they accelerated.
Heath - who spent some time forward - was among a litany of players who shone in attack as the efficiency going inside 50 improved, showing the dual-threat capabilities that resulted in St Kilda selecting him in last month's AFL mid-season draft.
The 204cm Goliath was a nightmare for the Calder defence when leading-up to the ball and standing tall in the contest.
And when it wasn’t him, it was Harry Sheezel.
As well as taking a hanger in the goalsquare, the 17-year-old showed an ability to get separation off his defender and moved well when the ball got to ground level, kicking three goals, while his pressure also typified that of his side's, allowing them to get repeat inside 50s.
Soylemez kicked two of his three goals in the third quarter in a typically dangerous display, while Ollie Lowe got a late goal, and was another who was often targeted in the forward line.
Charlie McKay was ferocious in the midfield and found plenty of the ball, as did Lachie Benton, while Luke Nankervis provided defensive accountability in his first chance on the ball, leading the visitors to a six-goal-to-two second half, capping off a masterful display.
Heath also got back in defence on occasions, and stand-in captain Liam Hayes, and Macnab were solid, doing their bit to restrict the Cannons’ opportunities.
Coach Jackson Kornberg praised Heath's prominence in the forward line.
"I think that was Max's best game that I've seen him play," Kornberg said.
"From a forwards point of view, he's taking marks forward which has been a focus all through preseason.
"It was probably one of his most productive games and when he was in the ruck, he was prolific as well."
After kicking 6.20 last week against Tasmania, the Dragons’ ability to capitalise on inside 50s this week was comforting, while keeping the opposition to two goals for a third consecutive week also satisfied the coach.
"We wanted to be slightly more efficient going inside 50 and while we kicked slightly more points than goals on the weekend, I thought we were a lot more efficient going inside 50 and kicked it to high percentage areas.
"Our team defence is starting to improve and our backs are starting to stand tall.
"The defensive stuff was something I challenged the boys on at three-quarter-time to give their greatest defensive effort in the last quarter and more just show the intent to play four quarters which we pleasingly saw."
An example of that was a William Skinner run-down tackle in the dying seconds to prevent a Cannons' shot on goal, which was symbolic of that hunger, and representative of their defensive desperation all game.
"The boys are building a really strong identity of our game revolving around our defence, which is really pleasing as a coach."
In further positive news, forward Archie Loughnan was taken to hospital during the game but has been cleared of serious injury.
Sandy take on the Northern Knights at Preston City Oval at 2.00pm next Saturday.
Sandringham Dragons: 3.1 – 5.3 – 9.10 – 11.13 79
Calder Cannons: 0.0 - 0.2 - 1.2 - 2.2 14
Goalkickers: Harry Sheezel 3, Eren Soylemez 3, Max Heath 2, Joe Nowell, Ollie Lowe, Archie Loughnan
Best Players: Max Heath, Ollie Lowe, Charlie McKay, Harry Sheezel, Lachie Benton, Eren Soylemez