SANDRINGHAM Dragons stormed into the Coates Talent League Grand Final with a 51-point thumping of Dandenong Stingrays in Sunday’s Preliminary Final. The two-time reigning premiers are gunning for a third straight flag, and there were plenty of top prospects who kept those hopes alive at RSEA Park.

After building to a steady 21-point lead at half time, the Dragons poured on five unanswered goals in a brutal third quarter to reduce the fourth term to a mere formality. Bailey McKenzie spearheaded the victory with six goals, while co-captain and dual premiership player Levi Ashcroft was also outstanding.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 4.3 | 6.6 | 11.9 | 14.10 (94)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.1 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 6.7 (43)

GOALS:
Sandringham: B. McKenzie 6, L. Ashcroft 2, O. Green 2, H. Armstrong, B. Findlay, S. Marshall, H. Oliver
Dandenong: T. Ah-Mu, J. Varlet, J. Barnes, H. Doughton, J. Lawrence, C. Orchard

RMC BEST:
Sandringham: B. McKenzie, L. Ashcroft, L. Kennedy, S. Marshall, L. Hofmann, M. Reid
Dandenong: H. Langford, R. Andrew, J. Doherty, H. Doughton, E. Peckett, C. Hynes

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#3 Levi Ashcroft
Midfielder | 179cm | 18/12/2006

Stats: 33 disposals, 13 inside 50s, 2 goals

Ashcroft was absolutely everywhere on Sunday, unsurprisingly so, setting the tone for his side’s big win. The co-captain booted two of the Dragons’ four first quarter goals, with his second coming on the end of a terrific chain of handballs through the corridor. He went on to dominate all around the ground, especially in attacking phases, finding space with untracked runs to rack up uncontested possessions and bringing teammates into the game with mature decision making. His clean, efficient, and composed ball use by hand and foot was outstanding all game.

#15 Lennox Hofmann
Defender | 190cm | 08/08/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles

Hofmann took on arguably the two toughest matchups in Sandringham’s defence, accounting for Dandenong co-captains Cooper Hynes and Harvey Langford on their forward rotations. After being beaten for strength early, he adjusted to their physicality to split contests and mop up plenty of plays across the defensive half. The St Kilda Next Generation Academy (NGA) prospect boasts ample size and athleticism, which he used to intercept and repel with rebound run. Among his best moments was a holding-the-ball tackle on Hynes in the second quarter.

#22 Murphy Reid
Midfielder | 180cm | 30/07/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles

Reid made an uncharacteristically quiet start to proceedings, but worked his way into the game to post typically strong numbers. The classy midfielder lit a spark late in the second quarter, getting going by roaming around the ground and combining with teammates. His feints to buy time in possession were exceptional, but Reid also had plenty of space to use the ball effectively. He even produced a foray of running bounces in the final quarter before hitting a target forward of the play.

#31 Bailey McKenzie
Forward | 191cm | 10/03/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 11 marks, 6 goals

McKenzie was the dominant forward afield on Sunday, booting six goals and thriving off silver service from Sandringham’s midfielders. The spring-heeled tall ran rampant after half time, booting three majors in the third quarter to help his side kick away to victory. Dandenong struggled to find the right matchup for him, as he showcased his speed off the mark when leading and was difficult to stop aerially. There was plenty of dynamism and mobility to McKenzie’s play, as he took one-handed marks at full stretch, worked up the ground, made repeat leads, and followed up at ground level.

#36 Samuel Marshall
Midfielder | 185cm | 19/01/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal

Marshall was his hard-running self on Sunday, racking up possessions in all parts of the ground. He showed good endeavour to chase and apply pressure in the early stages, compounding his work rate when Sandringham had the ball. The Lions Academy hopeful also disposed well by hand and foot, proving capable of impacting single passages with several touches and delivering to teammates with little fuss. He also bagged a handy goal in the opening quarter, turning an opponent inside-out before finishing from the tight angle.

#45 Luke Kennedy
Midfielder | 180cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s

Kennedy was arguably the best player afield to half time, which is no mean feat given some of the names who also featured in the midfield battle. He showcased outstanding dual-footed delivery, looking particularly sharp in short bursts when exiting the contest or drilling kicks inside 50. While capable of doing the defensive running to support the likes of Ashcroft and Reid, Kennedy also spread into effective areas to have an impact during attacking phases.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#1 Cooper Hynes
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Hynes made a typically fast start on Sunday, looking sharp in the opening exchanges while Dandenong remained in the contest. He was clean at the centre bounces, using his size and smarts to move from inside to out. Hynes also found success when camped one-out inside 50, proving a tough matchup close to goal. His creativity and timing of handballs were real assets both there and around the contest, though the midfielder-forward’s output waned after the main break as Sandringham ran over the top and controlled possession.

#2 Harvey Langford
Midfielder/Forward | 190cm | 15/03/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s

It was no surprise to see Langford top Dandenong’s disposal charts once again, finishing the season with a fifth-straight haul of over 25 touches. He looked most effective as a second receiver, enjoying the additional time and space to utilise his darting kicks forward of stoppage. Langford’s brutal competitiveness was complimented by good finesse by hand, as he fed teammates effectively between the arcs and went on to clunk a couple of strong overhead marks. Impacting inside 50 didn’t come as easily, with Dandenong hardly getting a look after half time.

#5 Riak Andrew
Tall Defender | 192cm | 17/02/2005

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 hitouts

Andrew played yet another effective shutdown role down back, restricting Harry Armstrong to eight disposals and a goal. The over-ager was beaten at times when taken up the ground but gave Armstrong nothing inside defensive 50, being aided by ample aerial support and competing hard. Among his best moments was a loose ball win against Archie Ludowyke on the last line, and his holding-the-ball tackle in term four. As per usual, he could hardly be faulted for effort.

#22 Jordan Doherty
Ruck | 199cm | 21/02/2005

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 8 hitouts

Doherty once again displayed his rare ability for a 199cm talent, operating like a much smaller player in open play. He handled the ball cleanly and was confident enough to carry it forward, chaining up handballs to exit stoppages and run in waves. The over-ager’s smooth movement and impact around the ground made him one of Dandenong’s more effective players, even if he was beaten for pure ruck craft and physicality. His upside is clear to see as a mobile and versatile tall.