ROUND 8 of the 2019 NAB League delivered a truly mixed bag of results, with three games decided by less that a goal, two by over 50 points, and one fixture proving an inbetweener. Dandenong survived a scare to remain undefeated, while Gippsland fared well enough to bridge the gap to first to just two points. Two of the next three best Victorian sides – Sandringham and Western – also secured wins to remain in the top three hunt.

Northern and Oakleigh were up first though on neutral territory, battling it out at Shepley Oval in Dandenong. In a low-scoring affair, the undermanned Chargers broke back ahead at the ideal time to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. A shrewd change of position for Oakleigh co-captain Dylan Williams changed the game, with his two final term goals sealing a six-point victory.

His fellow skipper, Trent Bianco had an indifferent outing with 17 disposals (but 10 tackles and four rebounds), while a couple of bottom-age Chargers thrived. Fraser Elliot gathered a game-high 28 touches as well as six clearances, while Lochlan Jenkins managed 22 and eight as the pair combined through midfield.

For Northern, Sam Philp also managed 28 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four inside 50s, nine clearances and a goal, while Ryan Sturgess (19 disposals, three marks and 10 rebounds) in a strong defensive effort. Jackson Davies and Lachlan Potter both had 17 disposals and five rebounds in the defeat.

All the way up in Echuca, an inaccurate Sandringham Dragons outfit scraped home against an unlucky and dead-eye Bendigo Pioneers team. Despite having 14 more scoring shots, the Dragons struggled to find the big sticks, booting 10.18 (78) on the border up against the Pioneers’ 12.2 (74).

Future Saint and Dragons captain, Ryan Byrnes had a day out with 31 disposals (15 contested), three marks, seven tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s and a goal, while Angus Hanrahan found plenty of the ball in the win with 26 disposals, six marks, four clearances and three inside 50s. Miles Bergman was also strong wiht 19 touches, five marks, nine tackles, four clearances, six inside 50s and a goal.

For the Pioneers, Riley Wilson had 23 disposals, six marks, six tackles, five clearances and six rebounds, while Aaron Gundry worked hard for 22 hitouts from 13 disposals, and Jack Hickman worked hard through the middle thanks to 18 touches and four clearances.

Crossing the Bass Strait to the Apple Isle, Tasmania Devils fell short against a red-hot Dandenong Stingrays outfit. The Stingrays were up at each break, but never into double-figures, eventually winning 9.6 (60) to 8.8 (56).

The onball brigade of Bailey Schmidt (14 disposals, 42 hitouts and five clearances), Reece Orchard (24 disposals, seven clearances and eight inside 50s) and Mitch Riordan (23 disposals, five clearances and five inside 50s) ran rampant for the Stingrays. Also impressive were bottom-age talents, Clayton Gay (15 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s and three goals) and Henry Berenger (16 disposals, seven marks and six rebounds).

Devils’ bottom-ager Oliver Davis was best-on for the home side, amassing 33 disposals (18 contested), seven marks, three tackles, five clearances and inside 50s in the tight loss. Ethan Jackson (24 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances and five inside 50s) was impressive as were Sam Collins (23 disposals, eight marks, three tackles and four rebounds) and Matt McGuinness (21 disposals, eight marks, five rebounds and a goal).

Western Jets held Geelong Falcons to just two goals in a 28-point win on the road, one of which came in the last term. The Jets comfortably looked good after a slow first term, piling on four goals in the second to blow out the lead and keep their opponent to just a single-digit score. In the end, they held off any sort of a comeback in the last despite a 1.5 last quarter from the Falcons to win 7.8 (50) to 2.10 (22)

Darcy Cassar suffered leather poisoning with 41 touches, 12 marks and eight rebounds out of defence to be best on ground. Meanwhile overager, Daly Andrews (31 touches, 10 marks, six clearances, three inside 50s and five rebounds) and Morrish Medallist, Lucas Rocci (28 disposals, 11 marks and seven rebounds) both dominated.

For the Falcons, Harry Stubbings led all-comers from his side with 27 disposals (15 contested), six marks, four tackles, seven clearances, five inside 50s and two rebounds. Charlie Harris (23 disposals, eight marks and four rebounds) and Keidan Rayner (22 disposals, six marks, six tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s) were others who stood out in a disappointing day for the wooden spooners.

Meanwhile Gippsland Power had no problems scoring during a 53-point win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. The Power dominated from the get-go with five goals to one in the opening term, and never looked back from there to run out 15.8 (98) to 6.9 (45) winners.

Brock Smith was a general in defence with 23 disposals, five marks and 11 rebounds, while Josh Smith dominated across the ground in his best game thanks to 22 disposals (16 contested), four marks, four tackles, 16 hitouts, 11 clearances and three goals. Sam Flanders and Fraser Phillips also booted a couple of goals each, combining for 47 touches, six marks and 10 inside 50s, while Riley Baldi had 29 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, seven clearances, four inside 50s and a goal in the win.

Jay Rantall was the biggest ball winner for the Rebels, amassing an impressive 30 touches (15 contested), as well as three tackles, six clearances, three inside 50s, three rebounds and a goal. Liam Herbert (21 disposals, seven marks and a goal) and Toby Mahony (16 disposals, five clearances and three inside 50s) were also productive.

Calder Cannons had no trouble producing a huge win up in Wangaratta for the final game of the round, defeating Murray Bushrangers by 50 points at Norm Minns Oval. The Cannons were only 18 points up at the half, but really went to town in the second half to run away with the contest, 18.9 (117) to 10.7 (67).

Daniel Mott had a game-high 29 disposals, four marks, six clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal, while Ned Gentile (24 touches, four marks, eight clearances, five inside 50s and two goals) was also very impressive. Captain, Brodie Newman picked up the 24 touches and seven rebounds, while in a rare showing, up the other end, Francis Evans booted three goals from 10 touches and six marks.

Cameron Wild was the clear standout for the Bushrangers with 27 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, four inside 50s, four rebounds and a goal, while Cameron Wilson booted a three goals from 16 touches and nine marks. Dylan Clarke (14 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and five clearances) worked hard in the midfield alongside Wild.

Eastern Ranges was the team that had the bye.