Gons' overcome slow start to advance on against Western
By Lenny ROBERTS
After an early lead for the Jets at the first break, Sandringham piled on fourteen of the next fifteen goals en route to a seventy-six-point win.
Losing two out of their last three games meant that the Dragons fell to second in the Metro Conference, and came up against the Western Jets in the wildcard round.
It was the first meeting between the two sides this season, and the third game of a triple-header in Ballarat.
Midfield mainstays Levi Ashcroft, Murphy Reid, and Sam Marshall were present in the opening centre bounce. While co-captain Brodie Findlay handled the ruck duties.
The tough windy conditions made it hard for either team to have full control, with the ball bouncing back and forth from one end of the ground to the other.
Sam Linder (22 disposals, six rebound-50’s) was involved early through the backline.
Some nice chain play starting with an Ashcroft clearance saw Nathaniel Sulzberger grubber kick home the first goal of the match in the sixth minute.
Reid (32 disposals, three goals) got his hands on it, and was classy as per usual.
The Jets hit back soon after to level things on the scoreboard.
Zach Travers (20 disposals, five marks) was lively on the wing, and strong in the air. While Jack Dalton (25 disposals, nine marks) never stopped running.
Western started to play the game on their terms before a downfield free kick near goal saw them kick their second nearing quarter’s end.
There was a late chance at goal for Luke Kennedy, however, a near miss. An even one-goal lead for the Jets after one term of play.
From here on, it was all Dragons.
Lachlan Voss displayed his versatility, marking on leads when playing in the front half, and having an impact in the ruck as well. His 27 disposals were a season-high, and also chipped in nine marks.
Two behinds early on in the quarter for Sandringham.
The run of goals started with Bailey McKenzie who snapped truly on the run after receiving the ball from Sulzberger outside of a forward half stoppage.
Midfield battle was swaying the Dragons way.
Reid got in on the action by kicking one of his own from close range in the seventeenth minute.
After setting up to last one, Harry Armstrong got some reward by slotting his first of four majors on the day to push the margin out to fifteen points.
The Dragons continued to press in both attack and defence, restricting the Jets to no score in the quarter.
At the main break, it was a steady advantage to the maroon and blue.
Allies’ representative Sulzberger not only had the first disposal of the term, but quickly put through his second of the game after an impressive pack mark. He also added a holding-the-ball tackle in the following centre bounce.
Some clever ball-reading by McKenzie saw him get on the end of a deep entry and boot another in the fourth minute.
Using the wind to perfection, Armstrong made it three in quick succession.
The 195cm forward was a contested marking beast.
McKenzie added his third from a set shot.
Two behinds to Western who were struggling against the wind. Whereas, the Dragons were well in control.
One of Ashcroft’s thirty touches was a quick snap off a contest in the twentieth minute to extend the margin beyond forty points.
Lennox Hofmann did some nice things for his 19 disposals.
Western finally broke the drought after receiving a fifty-metre-penalty to make sure of a major right on the three-quarter-time siren.
Although, it was still a comfortable lead for the two-time reigning champions.
And that lead became even more comfortable, with Sandringham booting six goals to zero in the final term.
Luke Trainor (19 disposal, five marks) was solid behind play, showcasing a bit of flair with ball in hand, as well as defending when he didn’t have the ball. The eighteen-year-old is projected to be inside the top ten of this year’s draft.
With the game being put to bed early on, the Dragons players made sure to take full advantage.
Ashcroft released Reid from a forward-50 stoppage to give him his second, and added a cool celebration along with it.
Tidy finishes from both Kennedy and then another from Reid. Before Armstrong found his third to take the margin beyond ten goals.
Sulzberger (29 disposals, five tackles) capped off a best-on-ground performance by kicking his third after some brilliant coast-to-coast transition from the defensive half.
One last major to Armstrong and a scuffle on the far wing before the final siren sounded.
A dominant second half with Sandringham running out 15.9 (99) to 3.5 (23) winners to progress to the second round.
Sixty-four inside-50’s to thirty-one was a telling story of the match.
The Dragons next challenge is the Calder Cannons in the quarter finals on Sunday at ETU Stadium.
GOALS: Armstrong 4, McKenzie, Reid, Sulzberger 3, Kennedy, Ashcroft
BEST: Sulzberger, Ashcroft, Reid, Armstrong, Trainor, Voss