Sandringham Dragons 14.8 (92) defeated Eastern Ranges  11.11 (77)

GOALS:
Sandringham Dragons: Dear 3, Spencer 3, Vicker0s-Willis, Brayshaw, Barker, Clayton, Maynard, Langdon, Grace, Gogis.
Eastern Ranges: Traynor 4, Petracca 3, Wilson 2, Sheridan-Ferrie, Weideman.

BEST:
Sandringham Dragons: Brayshaw, Wilkinson, Barker, Spencer, Vickers-Willis, Dear
Eastern Ranges: Petracca, Kift, Nielson, Sheridan-Ferrie, Traynor, Wilson

Sandringham overcame a slow start and fought back throughout the second half to defeat Eastern by 15 points at Visy Park on Sunday. Eastern were by far the better side up until half time as their forward pressure was too much for Sandringham, which forced the Dragons into making numerous mistakes. Christian Petracca had a big first half, booting three goals and taking multiple strong contested marks. The third quarter was all Sandringham as they kicked the last five goals of the quarter to trail Eastern by only threepoints at the final change. Angus Brayshaw starred in the midfield for the Dargons throughout the entire game, along with tall forwards Harry Dear and Alex Spencer. Sandringham ran over the top of Eastern in the final quarter to come away with the close victory. Sandringham look to build on this win when they take on Western Jets next weekend, while Eastern face an Oakleigh Chargers side looking to secure back-to-back wins to start the season.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5: Angus Brayshaw (Sandringham Dragons)
4: Christian Petracca (Eastern Ranges)
3: Alex Spencer (Sandringham Dragons)
2: Harry Dear (Sandringham Dragons)
1: Matthew Traynor (Eastern Ranges)

Oakleigh Chargers 15.15.99 defeated Northern Knights 10.5.65

GOALS:

Oakleigh Chargers: D.Moore 3, T.McLean 2, A.Oppy 2, K.Answerth 2, D.Houston 2, M.Pittonet, M.Jackson, H.Thompson
Northern Knights: R.McKenzie 2, G.McDonagh 2, D.Aujla, D.Macpherson, W.Murphy, J.Castagna, K.Malone, K.Langford

BEST:
Oakleigh Chargers: Answerth, J.Sinclair, D.Moore, M.Pittonet, T.McLean, B.Crocker.
Northern Knights: L.Hunt, J.Perry, B.Jordan, R.Tester, K.Langford, S.Switkowski

The Oakleigh Chargers opened their account for 2014 with a superb victory, but it didn’t come easy with the Knights kicking away to a 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter off the back of superior ball movement and accuracy in front of goal.

Lively midfielder Garrett McDonagh provided a first quarter highlight, marking on the lead 45 metres out on a slight angle, and slotting the goal from outside the arc, sending the ball far back into the Royal Parade end, whilst the bullocking Reece McKenzie, the son of Carlton premiership player Warren was a threat in the air and around goal level, not afraid to throw his 196 centimetre, 100 kilogram frame around.

The returning Liam Hunt controlled play for most of the quarter in the middle, whilst Connor Langford propelled many attacks, setting up across half back. Collingwood eligible father/son, Darcy Moore was stationed across half back, and had it not been for his courage in the air and team-first attitude, the score line at the first break would’ve been greater.

Coming into the second quarter, towering Oakleigh ruckman Mark Pittonet dominated the ruck duels, getting his hand first to ball which saw Oakleigh’s midfielders first use of the Sherrin. The Chargers responded to a poor opening quarter, kicking the first four goals of the quarter, thanks largely to their midfielders.

Oakleigh’s defence was effective, with Moore taking goal-saving marks and making important spoils. His aggression was noted, so too was Langford’s sweeping role across half back, as well as Kade Answeth who provided swift ball movement and run from half back on the counter attack.

Despite Oakleigh’s strong start to the second quarter, it was Knights captain Josh Iacobaccio who continued to chip away at the stoppages, and Sammy Switkowski who thrust the ball forward at every opportunity for his side. Ryan Tester stood firm at full back whilst Bailey Jordan off a forward flank was lively.

At the main break, the Knights still maintained the lead by 13 points, after a cheeky, yet creative goal from Billy Murphy and Darcy MacPherson, the son of Western Bulldogs star Steven.

Coming into the third quarter, Oakleigh threw captain Darcy Moore forward, with immediate impact. Moore kicked off what would be a total onslaught in the third quarter and was unstoppable in the air and at ground level, kicking two goals in as many minutes in a display of sheer dominance and talent. His marking abilities and smooth technique saw him slot a goal 45 metres out hard up on the boundary line, sending the ball goal-post high and into the Legends Stand.

His third goal was perhaps his best, roving a ball off Pittonet’s supreme ruck work, before dodging, weaving, and finding space where there was none, and snapping on his left foot, kicking a remarkable goal that put the game out of Northern’s reach.

After going goalless in the third term, the Knights were found wanting, kicking just five goals in the second half, as their counterparts set up the win from a six-goal third term, and outscored them with a 10-goal to five second half, setting up a terrific come-from-behind victory.

The Chargers take on reigning premiers Eastern Ranges in the first game of Highgate’s triple header next Sunday, whilst the Knights take on Calder in the final game of the round.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal:

5: Darcy Moore (Oakleigh Chargers)
4: Samuel Switkowski (Northern Knights)
3: Kade Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers)
2: Marc Pittonet (Oakleigh Chargers)
1: Kyle Langford (Northern Knights)

Calder Cannons 14.11 (95) defeated Western Jets 8.7 (55)

GOALS:
Calder Cannons: Cavanagh 3, Cauchi 3, Ahern 2, Kovacevic 2, Goodyear, Foster, Wunhym, Dimasi
Western Jets:Payne 3, Norton 2, Manivong, Bray, Daw

BEST:

Calder Cannons: Kovacevic, Petryshyn, Ahern, Christensen, Cauchi, Miller
Western Jets: Payne, Norton, Johnstone, Manivong, Laverde, McMahon

A dominant Calder Cannons have made an impressive start to the TAC Cup season, out muscling the Western Jets by a convincing 40 points at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday morning.

Calder were dominant from the opening bounce, with their run and carry being complimented by the strength of tall marking targets all over the ground. The Jets slotted the first goal of the game in the opening minute but Calder took control thereafter, lead by some strong leads from their forwards and precision kicking to hit up targets as they ended the first term with a 23 point lead.

The Jets had no answers to Calder’s big men as Calder were led from the front by their ruckman, Mark Kovacevic. Dominating the hit outs to advantage, linking up around the ground, and slipping forward to slot to two majors, Kovacevic was easily the most influential player on the ground.

A scrappy second term saw plenty of turnovers from both teams, but that was followed by a scintillating third term by Calder. Arthur Petryshyn’s efforts were notable, showing energy around the packs, racking up the ball and constantly surging Calder forward. For the Jets, Mitch Norton toiled hard to stem the flow and Brenton Payne showed promise up forward. However it just wasn’t enough to prevent Calder from taking a 43 point lead into the final break.

The Jets sparked up early in the fourth term. Mark Orr was beaten early in the game by star Calder forward Peter Wright, but his efforts to blanket the Calder big man for the rest of the game were commendable. Pele Mavinong’s lively efforts also brought some interest back into the contest, slotting two goals and taking an intercept mark to give the Jets a glimmer of hope but that was quickly snuffed out as Paul Ahern slotted his third in the final quarter to bring Calder home.

BFGN Rising Stars Medal

5: Mark Kovacevic (Calder Cannons)
4: Arthur Petryshyn (Calder Cannons)
3: Paul Ahern (Calder Cannons)
2: Aaron Christensen (Calder Cannons)
1: Brenton Payne (Western Jets)