dragons boys go two fROM two

By Lenny Roberts

On a beautiful day in Moorabbin, the Sandringham Dragons took on the Oakleigh Chargers for Round 2 of the U18 Boys Coates Talent League. Both teams were coming into this game on different terms, with the Dragons claiming a victory in the first round, and the Chargers going down in their opening game. A debutant for Sandringham with Archie Ludowyke, wearing no. 68, starting in the forward line. Like the week before, Sandringham kicked towards the northern end for the first term, with the usual suspects in the first centre bounce. Findlay, Ashcroft, Reid, and Marshall.

Ashcroft exploded through the contest and got the first clearance of the game, which resulted in a quick shot on goal from Hotton, through for a point and the first score of the day. Trainor continued where he left off last week, dominating off half-back, whether that be intercepting or transitioning from defence to attack. 2nd-gamer McKenzie got the Dragons on the board first. Unlike last week, the midfield battle was dominated by Sandringham. Debutant Archie Ludowyke got involved for his first goal in Dragons’ colours, snatching the ball from his defender and slotting it. Sandringham was moving the ball with ease, however struggled to put the scoreboard pressure on. Rozenes closed the first quarter with a very nice sidestep goal on the run. The Dragons lead 24 (3.6) to Oakleigh 3 (0.3).

The missed opportunities at goal continued in the second term. Linder was lively across half-back. The Chargers kicked their first early on in the second. Findlay (who competed all-day), was everywhere, intercepting down back and marking in the forward 50. A massive team-lifter moment was from a brilliant chase down tackle on the wing from Sulzberger, who again was solid on the day. A clear factor for Sandringham was knuckling down on their defence, at this stage they had held Oakleigh to just 1 goal. Kirkwood-Scott was involved all game, he started a handball chain from half-back, got on the end of it, and slotted a class goal on the run. Reid added another with a quick snap out of a forward-50 stoppage. He backed up a good round one game with another in this one. Hotton was getting busy in this quarter. He kicked his first of the day from a nice passage play near the forward flank that involved Ashcroft, and Reid again. At the main break, the scores read 45 (6.9) to 12 (1.6).

A change in the centre square for the start of the 2nd half with Hotton being utilised as a dynamic mid-forward hybrid. Rozenes was finding a lot of the ball at the start of this term. McKenzie was also getting his hands on it. Kennedy got the scoring going with a set-shot from 30 out. Dolan had another solid day playing as a high half-forward. Ashcroft got a goal of his own, to go along with his 30 touches. He also asserted his dominance in this quarter with his clearance work at stoppages. NGA prospect Cole was doing some nice things playing as a key defender. The game got really out of hand for Oakleigh as Hotton would slot through three consecutive goals. One snap off a contest, a set-shot, and a gimmie - thanks to a 50-metre penalty. That gave him four for the game. Jagga Smith, midfielder for the Chargers, tried his best all-day, racking it up all over the ground. Oakleigh ended the quarter with two goals of their own to stem the flow a little bit, however Sandringham still held a comfortable 53-point lead at the last break.

The last quarter was a junk fest. Dolan kicked the first major of term after an intercept from Ashcroft. Kirkwood-Scott continued to show his footy smarts. Ludowyke got some more reward for his efforts, he competed all game deep in the forward line and eventually slotted his second. Pecer was injected into the contest and had some nice possessions of his own. Some untidy kicking skills and undisciplined play saw Oakleigh kick two goals on the trot, one from an off-ball free kick. Back down the other way McKenzie banged home his second, followed by Ludowyke’s third. A very successive debut game from the 16-year old. Final score read 103 (15.13) to 51 (7.9). The Dragons are again back at RSEA Park at 11am on Saturday for a Grand Final rematch against the Eastern Ranges.

DRAGONS: Q1: 3.6 24, Q2: 6.9 45, Q3: 11.11 77, FULL TIME 15.13 103

CHARGERS: Q1: 0.3 3, Q2: 1.6 12, Q3: 3.6 24, FULL TIME: 7.9 51

GOALS: Hotton 4, Ludowyke 3, McKenzie 2, Ashcroft, Dolan, Kennedy, Kirkwood-Scott, Reid, Rozenes

BEST ON: Hotton, Ashcroft, Sulzberger, Marshall, Oliver, Trainor