EASTERN Ranges clinched their first Coates Talent League premiership since 2013 on Saturday, defeating three-time reigning premier Sandringham by 15 points at IKON Park. In a high-quality and high-octane contest, the Ranges surged home with four unanswered goals in the final quarter. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side, including several first round talents.

>> MATCH REPORT: Ranges ascend to Coates Talent League peak

Eastern Ranges 13.5 (83) def. Sandringham Dragons 10.8 (68)

EASTERN RANGES:

#1 Blake Chambers
Wing | 182cm | 31/05/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s

Saving arguably his best performance for last, Chambers was an integral outlet in the expanses of IKON Park. He helped facilitate much of Eastern’s flowing ball movement, positioning well on the outside and timing his runs to rack up a game-high 12 handball receives. Chambers also showcased his typically slick ball use with nice looks inboard on the back of sharp twists and turns. His vision was also exceptional in those instances and he proved equal parts creative and evasive.

#8 Lachy Dovaston
Small Forward | 177cm | 29/05/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

A player built for the big stage, Dovaston got off the leash early and was difficult to reign in from there. As usual, he played the high forward role beautifully by working hard up the ground and connecting the lines with his energy. He backed up an eight disposal first quarter by kicking two goals in the second, nailing a pair of set shot opportunities from similar angles. He proved a master at drawing free kicks and was slippery at stoppages with slick evasive technique to match his agility.

#22 Xavier Taylor
Tall Defender | 191cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 15 marks, 4 tackles

Deservedly awarded best on ground honours, Taylor was his reliable self all day. The resolute defender proved poised from the get-go, diffusing pressure situations with agility to step out of danger, and showcasing much improved foot skills to spark attacks. To compliment his supporting role up the ground, Taylor competed hard closer to his own goal by throwing himself at the aerial ball and following up with vigour. Surprisingly, all 15 of his marks were uncontested. He couldn’t have done much more in a performance which had it all and only strengthened his top 10 credentials.

#25 Oskar Taylor
Defender | 182cm | 01/08/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s

Taylor racked up one shy of half his total disposals by quarter time, making a productive start to proceedings. The run-and-gun defender exhibited a deadly turn of speed, positioning to receive off the contest and taking off immediately. His ability to carry the ball between the arcs made Eastern’s transitional play seamless, and he orchestrated some lightning quick counterattacks. Taylor also spent time on the wing in what was a more outside-leaning and attacking performance.

#26 Oliver Greeves
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 07/02/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Greeves had his usual moments of class on Saturday, coming to life when the ball entered his area. He was clean on the inside and used his size to absorb pressure at stoppages, although struggled to shift gears and find space at times. He produced a moment of magic inside 50 during the second quarter, dribbling home a terrific goal from the boundary to highlight his foot skills, while also proving clean overhead. He did his fair share of walking, but showed he could make things happen.

#55 Sullivan Robey
Forward/Midfielder | 192cm | 04/10/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals

Robey’s late-season rise was made all the more impressive by the revelation he has been playing with a cracked collarbone. Making his mark up forward on Saturday, he provided aerial presence and booted Eastern’s opening two goals. His powerful and precise finishing was a feature throughout the day en route to four overall majors, setting the tone for his team’s clinical performance. Few could match up to Robey’s explosiveness and physicality as he bolstered his top 10 stocks.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 9 tackles

Dalton tried hard until the end and unsurprisingly led his side for disposals. The running machine was an asset when moving the ball in transition, but also held his own with tough work on the inside – laying nine tackles to go with a team-high 11 contested possessions. He was everywhere at times and moved the play forward into dangerous launch zones, although again was slightly let down by his execution heading inside 50. Nonetheless, his end to the season was remarkable.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Eastern fared well to shut down many of Sandringham’s weapons, but Wright still did his best to be a threat out of defence. The left-footer attacked from deep and looked to surge forward before delivering kicks. His toughness could not be questioned as he found the balance between attack and defence, putting his body on the line with three contested marks and applying some rugged hits. He worked hard to mop up errant kicks late in the game to cap off another industrious outing.

#10 Gus Teixeira
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 29/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Teixeira’s explosiveness and acceleration were his most eye-catching traits on Saturday, with the bottom-ager looking to burst into space through the middle. He was typically clean at stoppages although didn’t have his usual clearance output as Eastern owned that space. Around the ground, Texieira looked to bite off short kicks but also showed good power when delivering more directly. He slotted a long-range set shot in the opening term to prove that capability.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles

Bamert had a hand in a couple of Sandringham’s early scores; first snapping towards goal to directly assist Willis Reidy, then producing an awesome rundown tackle in the corridor to set up a fruitful turnover chain. That kind of tone-setting impact is what Bamert builds his game on, and he went on to hit hard all day. He blazed away long on the attack, competed aerially, and crashed through opponents in open play. Built for finals footy, he had the intensity without the finesse at times.

#34 Kye Fincher (St Kilda NGA)
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 18/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Fincher ran out the game strongly to rack up 16 of his 22 touches after half time. He still had his moments before the main break, slotting a long-range set shot and going on to hit up Teixeira to assist another goal shortly after in term one. Fincher’s power and burst speed were assets when breaking into space, and he rose to take a terrific overhead mark third-up inside attacking 50. That kind of play is what will likely entice St Kilda to match a bid come draft time.

#75 Willis Reidy
Small Forward | 170cm | 12/05/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 goals

Reidy booted the first goal of the game but truly came to life with three majors in a monster third term. The quick and clever small forward wowed the IKON Park crowd with his craft, helping the Dragons take the lead heading into three-quarter time. The highlight of Reidy’s day was a barely believable dribble goal hemmed in on the boundary with Xavier Taylor baring down. He also took his moment defensively to apply a rundown tackle at half-forward, catching his opponent unawares.