NORTHERN Knights have extended their unbeaten start to the Talent League season to eight games after kicking away to a 62-point win over Sandringham on Saturday. Atop a muddy Preston City Oval, the Knights caught fire with 10-straight goals across a 35-minute purple patch during the second half.

Both sides were without many of their top-end stars, leaving a bunch of more unheralded names to emerge and press their claims for greater recognition. Among them were several Vic Metro trialists, who feature heavily in our first Scouting Notes instalment from Round 10.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 1.1 | 4.4 | 11.7 | 15.8 (98)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 2.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 5.6 (36)

GOALS:
Northern Knights: S. Caruso 3, J. Callegari 2, H. Leeder 2, S. Nedelkovski 2, X. Rowley 2, L. Galletly, J. Leeson, R. Muir D’Orazio, R, Tyrrell
Sandringham Dragons: C. Brookes, A. Grikis, Z. Kovac, J. Robinson, H. Wright

BEST:
Northern Knights: D. Dunn, T. Hodgson, J. Borghouts, H. Lawrence, J. Leeson, S. Caruso
Sandringham Dragons: K. Watt, J. Lemon, D. Kelson, C. Brookes, O. Mangoni, J. Noorbergen

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#4 Jesse Borghouts
Midfielder | 179cm | 22/02/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s

A hard an honest worker throughout the season, Borghouts got his time to shine on Saturday. He was Northern’s main man through the middle, using his strong frame to win the contested ball and drive his legs out of congestion. The top-ager provided forward momentum with his combination work out of the centre, and also showcased his physicality with several brutal lock-up tackles.

#13 Jamison Leeson
Midfielder | 178cm | 10/02/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

Leeson was among Northern’s main driving forces from midfield, using his speed to get dangerous in the attacking phase. He made a habit of peeling off forward of centre stoppages and latching onto clearing handballs to then turn and go inside 50. Leeson was also prepared to get stuck in at the coalface, hunting ground balls and hardly fumbling in open play. His tackling was similarly strong. The top-ager snuck forward to get on the end of an inboard kick and slot a set shot goal in term three, adding to a solid all-round game.

#16 Harrison Leeder
Key Forward | 193cm | 03/12/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Leeder seemed to get better as the day wore on, eventually breaking the dam wall against a game direct opponent. Even when unable to mark, he showcased terrific leading craft to run clever patterns and gain separation up the ground. Leeder’s follow-up efforts were also strong, laying robust tackles and showing his competitive streak. After putting a couple of set shots out on the full, he eventually found his radar in the second half and began to stick his overhead marks more frequently. When he lifted, so did the Knights.

#22 Tate Hodgson
Key Defender | 197cm | 24/07/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

The lone ranger of Northern’s three National Academy talls, Hodgson continues to show his wares as a reliable defender. He read the play supremely well on Saturday, positioning under long entries and holding his ground to impact several aerial contests. Whether competing bravely with the flight or setting to jump straight up, Hodgson was able to reel in intercept marks and apply strong spoils. He was often situated as the deepest defender, but also proved he could set up further afield or join in on the Knights’ transitional passages.

#45 Darcy Dunn
Defender | 186cm | 22/04/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

It was a surprise to look down and see Dunn listed at 186cm, given how confident he seemed in the air. He rose to take several intercept marks, either making early reads to win one-on-one contests inside defensive 50, or setting up across a high line to lock the ball in Northern’s front half. Given his size, he was also adept at recovering the ground ball and following up to tackle. His intercepting quality and calmness allowed the Knights to reload on attacks time and time again.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#25 Jasper Noorbergen
Key Defender | 194cm | 27/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Noorbergen was given the tough assignment of locking down on Leeder and did his best to nullify Northern’s aerial and leading passages. He was able to chime in with spoils off the back shoulder and defended hard, holding himself to a high standard. His safe ball use saw him take on some of the kick-in duties, providing a steady head across the last line. He looked comfortable distributing the ball and had plenty to do on the defensive end, even if unrewarded.

#29 Oliver Mangoni
Defender | 187cm | 19/06/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles

While not a massive stat-getter, Mangoni provided plenty of eye-catching moments throughout the day. He attacked the ball with vigour both in the air and across the ground, especially when the opportunity presented to intercept. His high-leaping marks and blind turns added flair to the substance of his hard defensive acts. Mangoni also used the ball steadily and eventually brought his robust frame into the midfield battle, but was far more effective down back.

#40 Judd Lemon
Midfielder | 181cm | 13/12/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Lemon was back at it with typically robust midfield work. He continued to show his hunger for the contest, chasing and tackling hard while absorbing pressure when he won the inside ball. While not blessed with a great amount of leg speed, Lemon bought time with deft side-steps before looking to release on the run. His effort remained strong late in the game, dropping back for a couple of gutsy overhead marks and continuing to make Northern’s mids earn each touch.

#45 Charlie Brookes
Forward/Midfielder | 178cm | 22/02/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Another of Sandringham’s compact and powerful onballers, Brookes held his own on the inside. He started out up forward and snapped the game’s first goal out of a stoppage. Before too long, he became a midfield mainstay, bouncing off opponents and driving his legs to bust through tackles. Brookes’ strong hands and grunt work also translated well defensively, tackling hard and even snaffling a couple of intercept marks in the opening term.

#70 Kayne Watt
Ruck | 203cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 15 hitouts, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Battling against fellow over-ager Sean Tyrrell, Watt displayed a high level of athleticism at all of 203cm. His knack for snatching possession on the way down at centre ball-ups led to several clearance wins, either dishing the ball off or throwing it on the boot. Watt’s mobility was further evidenced by clean follow-up work and he leapt well throughout what was a very even ruck duel. Outside of the contest, he provided a solid target for long kicks down the line.