ROUND 1 of the new Talent League season saw four of the six games decided by over 50 points, including Saturday’s Grand Final rematch between Sandringham Dragons and Eastern Ranges. Meanwhile, last year’s minor premier flexed its muscles in a big win. Catch up on all the key numbers and performances in a snapshot.

>> ROUND 1 POTW: Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 1.2 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 4.8 (32)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.4 | 5.7 | 10.10 | 15.15 (105)

IN A SENTENCE:

Northern Knights showcased their balance in a 73-point demolition of Oakleigh, restricting the Chargers to just one goal in the first half before storming home with 10 of their own after the main break.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Northern Knights won the disposals (350-268), marks (91-69), clearances (30-20), inside 50s (53-37), and scoring shots (30-12).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Oakleigh Chargers

Hunter Easton – 18 disposals, 3 tackles, 5 rebound 50s
Harper McCullough – 17 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances
Boyden George – 16 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s

Northern Knights

Harvie Cooke – 29 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances
Max Downes – 25 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal
Harry Van Hattum – 20 disposals, 20 hitouts, 2 goals

UP NEXT:

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Sandringham Dragons
Saturday March 28, 1:30pm @ RSEA Park

Northern Knights vs. Eastern Ranges
Sunday March 29, 1:00pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

BENDIGO PIONEERS 2.1 | 9.6 | 10.6 | 14.8 (92)
TASMANIA DEVILS 2.8 | 2.10 | 7.14 | 9.19 (73)

IN A SENTENCE:

After an inaccurate first half saw Tasmania fall 38 points behind Bendigo, even a run of seven consecutive goals wasn’t enough to see the Devils push past the plucky Pioneers in a 19-point defeat on neutral territory.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Bendigo Pioneers won the clearances (35-26), rebound 50s (42-29), and scoring efficiency % (63-32).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Bendigo Pioneers

Max Thompson – 32 disposals, 8 rebound 50s, 2 goals
Cody Walker – 28 disposals, 8 clearances, 2 goals
Eamon Austin – 21 disposals, 7 marks, 5 inside 50s

Tasmania Devils

Jake Beams – 27 disposals, 8 marks, 10 rebound 50s
Archie Devine – 26 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Jess Bula – 17 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances

UP NEXT:

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Murray Bushrangers
Saturday March 28, 12:10pm @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

Tasmania Devils vs. Western Jets
Saturday March 28, 9:30am @ Dial Park

CALDER CANNONS 3.3 | 7.8 | 7.12 | 10.15 (75)
WESTERN JETS 5.1 | 8.3 | 14.6 | 16.8 (104)

IN A SENTENCE:

After leading by a single point at half time, six unanswered goals in the third quarter made all the difference as Western Jets downed the Calder Cannons by 29 points on enemy ground.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Western Jets won the kicks (220-158), marks (102-64), and uncontested possessions (207-153).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Calder Cannons

Charlie Robbins – 18 disposals, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal
Sam Harris – 16 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal
Jack Dodorico – 13 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

Western Jets

Lachlan Hicks – 24 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals
Khaled El Souki – 23 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals
Jake Miller – 21 disposals, 11 marks, 3 goals

UP NEXT:

Calder Cannons – Bye

Western Jets vs. Tasmania Devils
Saturday March 28, 9:30am @ Dial Park

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 7.5 | 11.8 | 16.12 | 19.13 (127)
EASTERN RANGES 2.1 | 4.6 | 5.9 | 10.15 (75)

IN A SENTENCE:

Sandringham Dragons exacted revenge in Saturday’s Grand Final rematch, thumping the Eastern Ranges by 52 points thanks largely to their rollocking seven-goal opening term.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Sandringham Dragons won the kicks (189-155), marks (86-60), and contested possessions (128-108).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Sandringham Dragons

Albert Macgowan – 31 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s
Arki Butler – 26 disposals, 4 clearances, 4 goals
Angus Brown – 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Eastern Ranges

Jordan Knapp – 33 disposals, 7 marks, 5 inside 50s
Harrison Chapman – 30 disposals, 7 marks, 7 inside 50s
Brodie Wilson – 12 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 goals

UP NEXT:

Sandringham Dragons vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Saturday March 28, 1:30pm @ RSEA Park

Eastern Ranges vs. Northern Knights
Sunday March 29, 11:00am @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 6.3 | 8.5 | 14.11 | 16.14 (110)
GEELONG FALCONS 3.2 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 8.11 (59)

IN A SENTENCE:

Dandenong Stingrays made good of the scoring end at MARS Stadium, booting 12 of their 16 goals in the first and third terms to set up a comfortable 51-point win over the Geelong Falcons.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Dandenong Stingrays won the disposals (318-251), clearances (36-26), and inside 50s (56-42).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Dandenong Stingrays

Andrio Sousa – 25 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s
Gus Kennedy – 21 disposals, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Marcus Prasad – 20 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 goals

Geelong Falcons

Noah Williams – 23 disposals, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s
Fletcher Pulleine – 20 disposals, 7 marks, 7 rebound 50s
Jett Elek – 18 disposals, 8 marks, 18 hitouts, 1 goal

UP NEXT:

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Gippsland Power
Sunday March 29, 1:00pm @ Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve

Geelong Falcons vs. GWV Rebels
Saturday March 28, 2:00pm @ MARS Stadium

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.0 | 1.2 | 4.4 | 8.8 (56)
GIPPSLAND POWER 5.3 | 11.5 | 16.9 | 22.11 (143)

IN A SENTENCE:

A fearsome scoring display saw Gippsland Power thunder to an 87-point victory, as last year’s minor premiers set the platform their 11-goal to one opening half against the Murray Bushrangers.

WHERE IT WAS WON:

Gippsland Power won the marks (96-75), tackles (55-41), inside 50s (58-38), and scoring shots (33-16).

BY THE NUMBERS:

Murray Bushrangers

Tanner Armstrong – 36 disposals, 7 clearances, 1 goal
Jackson Hewitt – 26 disposals, 10 marks, 6 rebound 50s
Izack Daley – 15 disposals, 16 hitouts, 2 goals

Gippsland Power

Judd Burgiel – 24 disposals, 10 tackles, 11 inside 50s
Cody Templeton – 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals
Wil Malady – 16 disposals, 7 marks, 6 goals

UP NEXT:

Murray Bushrangers vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Saturday March 28, 12:10pm @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

Gippsland Power vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Sunday March 29, 1:00pm @ Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve