Finn Callaghan elevated to leadership group
By Jonty Ralphsmith
Sandringham Dragons draft prospect Finn Callaghan has been promoted to the club’s leadership group.
The midfielder learned last week at training of his elevation to vice-captain, joining Charlie McKay, Luke Cleary, Campbell Chesser and Liam Hayes as co-vice captains under co-skippers Darby Hipwell and Josh Sinn.
The accolade adds to an already stellar season, having been added to the AFL Academy squad in April on the back of standout performances early in the NAB League season.
“I didn’t expect it,” Callaghan said.
“It caught me completely off guard, Jacko (Kornberg) called me into the room, I just thought we were going to speak about our roles on the weekend and then he said to me, with Sinner and Darbs (co-captains Sinn and Hipwell) in there, that I was promoted to the leadership group.
“I’m very thankful and it’s a great privilege.”
His consistent level of performance across multiple positions in 2021 is matched by the level of support and guidance offered to his teammates, particularly the younger members of the squad, and were cited as key factors in his promotion.
“I like giving advice because if I was doing something wrong, I would like to be told on the spot so you can improve so that’s something I’ve been trying to do.
“I also try to check in with the boys playing local footy and seeing how they’re going because you only really see the Sandy boys on the weekend.”
In his first game in the role against Eastern Ranges last Saturday, Callaghan produced his third consecutive best afield effort for coach Kornberg, collecting 31 disposals as a ferocious midfielder.
“It was really special to be able to elevate Finn Callaghan to the leadership group as vice-captain off the back of support and recommendation from the leaders,” Kornberg said.
Callaghan has previously captained Mordialloc-Braeside Junior Football Club’s under 16’s side, along with Mordialloc Cricket Club “all through juniors,” which he says provide him with skills transferrable to footy.
“I enjoy captaining the cricket.
“It sort of requires the same [skills] as footy around how you communicate with your teammates and cope with pressure.
“A good leader does those things.”