Rampaging Chargers put an end to Dragons’ impressive season

The sun has set on an impressive 2019 Sandringham Dragons campaign, as the Chargers on Saturday ran rampant to eventually win 17.7 (109) to 4.10 (34) and secure a Grand Final berth.

Without a cloud in sight, conditions were simply perfect at Ikon Park, as the scent of September football pervaded the air.

With a spot in the big dance on the line, the Chargers jumped Sandy kicking the first two, but the Dragons wrestled back momentum as Miles Bergman soared high before kicking truly from 55-metres out.

A Harry Loughnan chase down tackle then saved a certain Oakleigh goal, before Kyle Yorke kicked his first of the day to put the Dragons in front.

A late Chargers goal then gave it a five-point quarter-time lead, as both sides appeared firmly up for the Preliminary Final fight.

As Oakleigh’s straight kicking continued, the Dragons were conversely inaccurate in front of goal, with the Chargers extending their lead to 23 early in the second term.

Yorke dribbled through his second of the day from deep in the pocket to keep Sandy in the game, but a pair of impressive Chargers goals saw it lead by a threatening 28-points at the main break.

The third quarter saw Hugo Ralphsmith bend through a banana to perfection, but it was Oakleigh who took control of proceedings as the Dragons failed to capitalise, with imposing Chargers ball movement contributing to a 45-point three-quarter time lead.

The Chargers then kicked the first two of the final quarter, as its midfield—led by probable number one pick Matthew Rowell—ran supreme.

After a goalless final quarter, the siren sounded on both the match and the Dragons’ season, going down by 75 points.

It was dubbed a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season, with the team going nine-and-six in the regular season, before pushing deep into finals football.

Goal Kickers: K. Yorke 2, H. Ralphsmith, M. Bergman
Best Players: N. Burke, J. Voss, A. Courtney, W. Mackay, J. Bowey, H. Ralphsmith