SANDRINGHAM Dragons have progressed to their fourth consecutive Coates Talent League decider after downing Gippsland Power in Saturday’s preliminary final. A blustery Casey Fields saw one end favoured all day, as the Dragons made better of their equal scoring shots to progress.

A seasoned Sandringham lineup caught the minor premiers cold, racing out to a 19-point lead at quarter time. The Power inevitably hit back but were undone by late scores in the second and third terms, twice conceding a pair of goals within the closing five minutes to be kept at arm’s length.

In the end, Sandringham’s superior system and ball movement took toll in the 14-point victory. The result sees Sandringham keep its hopes of a fourth straight flag alive, going on to face Eastern Ranges in next week’s Grand Final. The big dance takes place on Saturday afternoon at IKON Park.

GIPPSLAND POWER 1.3 | 3.8 | 5.9 | 9.11 (65)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 4.4 | 6.5 | 9.7 | 11.9 (75)

GOALS:
Gippsland: J. Walker 2, Z. O’Keefe 2, W. Duursma, K. Boi, J. Burgiel, L. Cheffers, M. Woodall
Sandringham: K. Fincher 2, M. Tyrer 2, O. Griffin 2, G. Teixeira, S. Buck, A. Butler, J. Galbally, A. Lambert

BEST:
Gippsland: Z. O’Keefe, X. Ladbrook, O. Wilson, W. Duursma, J. Walker
Sandringham: R. Wright, X. Bamert, J. Dalton, K. Fincher, M. Tyrer

GRAND FINAL:
Eastern Ranges vs. Sandringham Dragons
Saturday September 20, 1:00pm @ IKON Park

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#4 Zachary O’Keefe
Midfielder | 177cm | 22/03/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Quite clearly best afield for the Power, O’Keefe was instrumental through the middle third of the ground. He took little time to showcase his composure and agility in traffic, looking crafty in possession and operating with a combination of cleanliness and flair. He then worked hard to accumulate on the spread, proving a cool head between the arcs with his stylish movement and disposal. Importantly, O’Keefe compounded his impact by hitting the scoreboard with two goals, finishing nicely in open play on both occasions.

#7 Willem Duursma
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 21/06/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Duursma rounded out his top-age season with another strong outing, proving nothing short of a weapon in full flight. His ability to cover ground and glide out of congestion was superb in combination with his usual aerial impact across each third. The pick one contender wowed with one-handed takes, fend-offs, and high marks leaping from the back in an all-round display of his talent. He was a threat forward of the ball and ended up booting a consolation goal late in the final quarter, putting the cherry on top a stellar campaign despite the final result.

#21 Oliver Wilson
Defender | 186cm | 22/01/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 marks, 2 rebound 50s

It was an ‘if not for Wilson’ kind of game, with the top-ager producing one of his best performances on the big stage. He took on tough matchups inside defensive 50 and thrived in aerial contests, able to peel off and intercept time after time. He was clean overhead and often took off immediately to flick the switch into attack mode. Wilson’s expansive play helped Gippsland create quick forward surges throughout the match, but he was also capable of going slow when required.

#40 Xavier Ladbrook
Key Defender | 200cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks

Playing somewhat of a breakout game after several promising showings this season, Ladbrook was the centrepiece of Gippsland’s defence. His reading of the play combined with raw athleticism saw him not only get to several aerial contests, but then follow up and get the ball moving when unable to mark. The bottom-ager proved he could hold his own one-out close to goal, or attack higher up the ground to maintain field tilt. He seemed to get to everything at times.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Jack Dalton
Midfielder/Forward | 177cm | 05/04/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 5 clearances

It was business as usual for Dalton, who set the tone with an unbelievably productive opening term. His running capacity was on full show, winning clearances at the restarts before taking off towards attacking 50 to pop up again within the same passage. He proved typically clean at the coalface and used the ball near-faultlessly by hand. On the outside, Dalton played a similar role in facilitating running chains of possession with his efficient touches on the go.

#9 Rory Wright
Defender | 184cm | 02/06/2007

Stats: 31 disposals, 10 marks, 9 rebound 50s

Few could argue Wright was best afield on Saturday, leading all comers in an industrious game off half-back. He racked up 21 uncontested possessions across a consistent four quarters, attacking from the back with his constant run and punchy left-foot kicking. Whether starting from scratch at the kick-ins or helping Sandringham relaunch in the front half, his playmaking ability was on full show and Sandringham wanted the ball in his hands. Another feature of Wright’s game was his gutsy intercept marking, flying with the flight of the ball and riding the bumps in typically tough style. He has certainly elevated his stocks with a move to defence in the back half of the year.

#27 Xavier Bamert
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 29/01/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 5 clearances

Much like Dalton, Bamert’s work rate set him apart throughout the match. He made a happy knack for spreading forward at the ideal moment, receiving on the outside and carrying the ball forward in short bursts. He also broke the packs open with his size and aggression, dumping the ball out under pressure but proving super clean nonetheless. Bamert’s charging runs and competitive nature held up well to the finals occasion, as he searches to become a two-time premiership player.

#34 Kye Fincher
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 18/11/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

While Fincher found it difficult to find space in the early exchanges, he began to make his mark up forward during term two. Providing a lead-up option, he slotted a set shot and went on to snap home another major after half time. Fincher also started to find easier ball around the ground and was quite clean by hand, although blazed away at times by foot. Still, his power over the ball held him in good stead amid Gippsland’s ground level pressure.