TRYING conditions saw just two NAB League sides post more goals than behinds in Round 12, but there was still no shortage of exiting play with a couple of close games and upset victories. Oakleigh managed to get one back on Sandringham with a surging win to open the round, while GWV toppled the reigning premiers and Gippsland managed a massive come from behind win to highlight the weekend’s action.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 1.3 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.16 (40)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 1.4 | 1.5 | 7.8 | 8.10 (58)

GOALS:
Sandringham: A. Perkins, J. Le Grice , J. Florent, C. Dean
Oakleigh: J. Ugle-Hagan 3, T. Lovell 2, N. Stathopoulos 2, N. Guiney

BEST:
Sandringham: J. Le Grice , T. Milne, N. Burke, J. Lloyd, H. Ralphsmith, J. Voss
Oakleigh: R. McInnes, H. Mastras, C. Stone, J. Ugle-Hagan, L. Johnson, L. Jenkins

By: Joe Lee

A wasteful Sandringham Dragons squandered the opportunity to defeat a gallant Oakleigh Chargers, kicking 1.8 in the final term in a tight contest at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Cold and blustery conditions meant skills and finishing were made trying, however Oakleigh willed themselves over the line with some strong tackling and defensive efforts led by Lachlan Johnson and Nicholas Stathopoulos. Oakleigh kicked away halfway through the third term, slamming home six goals and taking a commanding lead into the final break. An inspired Dragons outfit came out with vengeance in the last but their inaccuracy and inability to convert their chances cost them a victory. Failing to capitalise on ample supply from midfielders Hugo Ralphsmith and Jackson Voss (five inside 50s each), the Dragons eventually succumbed to Oakleigh’s superior class and polish in front of goal. Oakleigh power forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan slotted three goals and Stathopoulos two, with midfielders Reef McInnes (23 disposals) and Lochlan Jenkins (21 touches) working hard. For the Dragons, Ralphsmith (23 disposals) and rebounding defender Will Mackay (23 disposals, eight rebounds) were dominant forces in the misfiring Sandringham line-up. Oakleigh’s win places them as a strong contender for the finals, equalling Sandringham’s seven wins for the year.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.2 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 3.7 (25)
GWV REBELS 1.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 8.5 (53)

GOALS:
Dandenong: J. Neal, W. Howe, N. Heath
GWV: M. Martin 2, H. Sharp 2, M. Burgess, N. Stevens, I. Grant, M. Jorgensen

BEST:
Dandenong: M. Gregory, C. Gay, J. Toner, P. Gerdan, R. Orchard, M. Bergman
GWV: M. Burgess, M. Martin, M. Herbert, P. Glanford, R. Polkinghorne, T. Mahony

By: Peter Williams

In a game unlikely to be revisited any time soon thanks to some horrific weather conditions – particularly in the first half – Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels snapped a five-game losing streak whilst handing Dandenong Stingrays their third straight loss. Making the trek down to Shepley Oval, the rain threatened to be a problem in the first half, before it became just that in the second half with plenty of wet weather football disposals on display. At the end of the day, it was the Rebels who took full advantage of the conditions, with a five goals to zero second term ultimately the difference in their 28-point victory over the reigning premiers. Both sides were missing top players thanks to Vic Country duties, but the likes of Mitch Martin (19 disposals, two marks, five tackles, two inside 50s and two rebounds) and Toby Mahony (15 disposals, three marks, five tackles, two inside 50s) doing their draft chances no harm with classy performances in a day where class was needed. The Stingrays looked to be in control of the match early, but failed to capitalise on their play going forward as the likes of Mitch Burgess, Jayden Wright and Nick Stevens had days out in defence, chopping off Stingrays’ attacks and combining for 17 rebounds. Burgess (20 disposal, two marks, four inside 50s, seven rebounds) was spectacular for the Rebels, while bottom-ager Stevens showed promise with nice skills out of defence. For the Stingrays, Clayton Gay (24 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and four rebounds) played up the one end all day, while Jack Toner (25 disposals, four marks, five tackles, five inside 50s and two rebounds) was the Stingrays’ top ball winner. Brock Cliffe also stood out as a bottom-ager with 18 touches and 10 tackles, while Max Gregory continued his good form with 18 touches and three marks.

BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.6 (30)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.3 | 0.12 | 1.17 | 3.22 (40)

GOALS:
Bendigo: M. Lias, J. Treacy, B. Vaz, R. Clarke
Murray: C. Byrne 2, J. Boyer

BEST:
Bendigo: J. Schischka, C. Maxted, B. Worme, R. Wilson, N. Walsh, S. O’Farrell
Murray: Z. Barzen, J. Chalcraft, J. Hillary, H. Beasley, J. Boyer, W. Christie

By: Michael Alvaro

One of the more extraordinary scorelines proved just enough for Murray Bushrangers to topple the Bendigo Pioneers in trying conditions at Victoria Park, Echuca. The home side pulled away to a half-time lead of five points despite not being able to add to the 2.5 they managed in the first term, while Murray seemed to have misplaced its kicking boots as the Bushies posted an incredible 0.12 at the main break. The Bushrangers would eventually even the ledger despite further inaccuracy in the third term, adding 1.5 to Bendigo’s one-straight goal to set up a grandstand finish heading into the final turn. Having only managed a sole major in the three previous quarters, Murray finally converted multiple chances, booting 2.5 in the final term in response to Bendigo’s 1.1 to run out unlikely 10-point winners. Multiple Bushrangers were unlucky not to have come away with even bigger games than they already had, with the likes of Jye Chalcraft (33 disposals, 0.3), Jimmy Boyer (27 disposals, 1.4), Will Chandler (15 disposals, 0.3) and Ryley Bouker (15 disposals, 0.4) the biggest contributors to their side’s 22 behinds. Needless to say, cleanliness and class proved standout traits on the day, with over-ager Zane Barzen (19 disposals, five marks) and bottom-ager Charlie Byrne (18 disposals, 2.0) two of the more efficient movers on the ground. For Bendigo, James Schischka continued his solid form with a team-high 28 disposals and nine rebounds, with bottom-ager Noah Walsh (23 disposals), Country representative Ben Worme (21), and Riley Wilson (19) not far behind to also be among the best. The unlucky Pioneers remain in the bottom three with that result, set to face Tasmania next week on the Apple Isle. For Murray, their charge up the ladder will be tested in a clash against ladder-leader, Eastern at home.

GIPPSLAND POWER 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 8.5 (53)
GEELONG FALCONS 3.4 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 7.7 (49)

GOALS:
Gippsland: S. Berry 3, T. Baldi, T. Rees, B. McAuliffe, Z. Reid, M. McGarrity
Geelong: C. Brauer 2, G. Bove 2, K. Skene, C. Harris, O. Henry

BEST:
Gippsland: S. Berry, N. Prowd, T. Hourigan, Z. Reid, T. Rees, B. McAuliffe
Geelong: M. Langan, H. Walsh, C. Page, K. Rayner, G. Bove, C. Karpala

By: Peter Williams

In a game that had to be seen to be believed, Geelong Falcons suffered another agonisingly narrow loss, falling away in the final term to lose to top four side, Gippsland Power by four points in nothing short of terrible weather conditions at Shepley Oval. If the Dandenong-GWV game’s ground conditions were bad, by the time these sides ran out, it was akin to an oval sized waterslide and it was reflected in the 120-99 tackle count in favour of the Power. Unfortunately for Geelong, the last quarter fadeouts continue to haunt the young side because there was no other way to put it – they were in complete control of the game, and fell short when it mattered most. When Gennaro Bove booted his second goal in the eighth minute of the third term, the Falcons led by 34 points. Even by the final break, the margin was 27 points, and only a disastrous last quarter could surely see the side that had booted two goals in three quarters, make up at least five goals in the final term when the weather was shocking. Seven minutes into the term, and Gippsland Power trailed by just nine points with three consecutive goals. Pocket rocket Sam Berry made it back-to-back goals for himself in the fifteenth minute when in the term he twice laid great tackles, won the free kick and converted the set shot. The Power hit the front three-and-a-half minutes later when Brandon McAuliffe kicked his first goal of the season – and was mobbed by teammates – before Charlie Brauer put some relief back into the Falcons fans, converting his second goal from three kicks. But if they thought that would be enough, it proved not to be the case with the unlikeliest of heroes – full-back Zach Reid – going forward and taking a terrific one-on-one grab and converting the set shot with just two minutes left of the clock. Geelong had it in the forward line when the siren rang out, but it was a heartbreaking loss for the Falcons, going down by four points. Berry was best on ground for his 20 disposals, 18 tackles and three goals, while Leo Connolly (20 disposals, two marks, six tackles and seven rebounds) and Trent Baldi (16 disposals, 13 tackles, two rebounds and one goal) were also impressive for the Power. For Geelong, Chas Karpala had a game-high 22 touches, 13 tackles and six inside 50s, while Charlie Lazzaro (19 disposals, three marks and seven tackles) and Clay Page (18 disposals, 19 tackles and three inside 50s) were also fierce defensively.

CALDER CANNONS 0.4 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 6.7 (43)
WESTERN JETS 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.9 (21)

GOALS:
Calder: M. Fletcher 2, J. Cardillo, N. Stewart, S. Paea, F. Gentile
Western: E. Ford, S. El-Hawli

BEST:
Calder: S. Ramsay, G. Thomas, B. Overman, C. Brand, J. Hotchkin, C. Brown
Western: C. Raak, J. Kellett, L. Rocci, A. Manton, L. Conway, W. Kennedy

By: Michael Alvaro

The Calder Cannons upset their traditional rivals, Western by 22 points in Sunday’s only fixture in a typically low-scoring slugfest at RAMS Arena. A goalless first term for both sides turned into a goalless half for the Jets, managing just four behinds as Calder posted 1.7 after struggling to make the most of their control of general play. Those worries were somewhat put to bed after the main break as the Cannons converted 2.0 late in the third term and looked on track for a win considering the low-scoring. The Jets were still very much in the contest though, and proved as much with a goal in the opening two minutes of the final stanza bridging the margin to just five points. The comeback was not to be, with Calder piling on a game-high three goals for the remainder of the term to run out comfortable 22-point winners in the end. Sam Ramsay and Curtis Brown again led the ball-winning stakes with 31 and 29 respective disposals to lead all-comers. Ben Overman was another to impress with his 17 disposals, six tackles and six rebound 50s, while Mason Fletcher was the game’s only multiple goal kicker with two from his 11 disposals and three marks. For Wester, Cody Raak was named best for his 16 disposals and six marks, but it was Daly Andrews (25 disposals), Josh Kellett (23), and Lucas Rocci (23) who were most influential with ball in hand. Bottom-ager Eddie Ford had 21 touches and kicked one of his side’s two goals, while Will Kennedy contributed 19 disposals and another 37 hitouts. The Jets manage to hold onto fourth place despite the loss, with a clash against Sandringham in their midst. Meanwhile, Calder faces Dandenong next week looking to hold onto a top-eight position.