SANDRINGHAM Dragons have claimed consecutive Coates Talent League premierships after defeating Eastern Ranges by 43 points today. Under sunny skies at IKON Park, the star-studded victors were tested but kicked away with five of the game’s last six goals to win by a comfortable margin.

Five Dragons became dual premiership players, including captain Will Brown who was named best afield. The 194cm forward booted three goals from 18 disposals and was among the players who helped Sandringham stretch its lead from two points in the third quarter, to 27 at the final break.

Along with Brown and bottom-ager Levi Ashcroft, National Combine invitees Ryley Sanders, Archie Roberts, and Vigo Visentini also became two-time premiership players. Sanders is expected to be a top 10 pick come draft time, while Visentini put the cherry atop his side’s win with a goal after the siren.

Lauded for their balanced ball winners and quick ball movement, the Dragons weathered a hot start and ran out the stronger team after trailing at quarter time. A procession ensured after Tyson Sruk drew Eastern to within 14 points with 15 minutes to play, as Murphy Reid quickly hit back and sealed the result with two quick goals.

Before the match, Sandringham saw an opportunity to exploit Eastern in the tall department and did so, taking 70 marks to the Ranges’ 40 and winning the hitout count 40-28. Key forwards Calsher Dear, Luke Lloyd, and Archer May all booted two majors to compound their impact.

At the contest, Sanders (25 disposals, six tackles) and Ashcroft (19 disposals, four clearances) were productive as usual, while the unheralded Cooper Lord racked up with numbers to finish with 31 touches, five clearances and seven inside 50s.

In a similar vein, Eastern’s Sruk led all comers with 37 disposals, eight clearances, nine inside 50s and his fourth quarter goal. The mercurial Nick Watson tried his best to create a spark to no avail, while fellow draft lock Caleb Windsor had his moments and Riley Weatherill snared two majors.

The result means Eastern went down in both the boys and girls Grand Finals, after Oakleigh took out yesterday’s decider in the latter category. Meanwhile for Sandringham, a fifth premiership cup heads to the region which is once again poised to produce a slew of draftees this year.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.3 | 7.6 | 11.8 | 17.10 (112)
EASTERN RANGES 4.0 | 5.3 | 7.6 | 10.9 (69)

GOALS:

Sandringham: W. Brown 3, C. Dear 2, L. Lloyd 2, A. May 2, M. Reid 2, L. Ashcroft, C. Edwards, C. Harrop, H. Johnston, A. Roberts, V. Visentini
Eastern: S. MacDonald 2, R. Weatherill 2, R. Cantwell, L. Monteath, C. Moraes, T. Sruk, N. Watson, C. Windsor

RMC BEST:

Sandringham: W. Brown, R. Sanders, M. Reid, C. Harrop, C. Dear, C. Lord
Eastern: T. Sruk, C. Moraes, N. Watson, C. Windsor, R. Weatherill, S. MacDonald