SANDRINGHAM Dragons have produced a rampant fourth quarter comeback to defeat the Geelong Falcons by 10 points in their at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday. The hosts were jumped at the start and trailed for much of the day, but rallied with four unanswered goals to run out the game.

Geelong gained the early ascendancy thanks largely to a four-goal first half from bottom-age tall Nate Mensch (son of David). The Falcons led until Sandringham’s burst of three majors in seven minutes during the final quarter, which well and truly turned the tide of their Round 22 fixture.

Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy member Ben Rongdit produced a strong first half in his return from a long-term knee injury, while the Dragons were buoyed by the inclusion of a few APS guns. Among them was Under 18 All-Australian Albert MacGowan, who led all comers with 28 disposals.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.1 | 7.3 | 9.6 | 13.10 (88)
GEELONG FALCONS 6.1 | 9.2 | 12.4 | 12.6 (78)

GOALS:
Sandringham Dragons: J. Cripps 3, J. Davies 3, C. Brookes 2, A. Grikis, O. Mangoni, J. Robinson, M. Stewart, K. Watt
Geelong Falcons: N. Mensch 5, A. Daffy 2, C. Gray, D. Harrington, F. McInnes, J. Penrice, V. Rahilly

BEST:
Sandringham Dragons: A. MacGowan, K. Watt, J. Lemon, C. Brookes, L. Leo, O. Bartal
Geelong Falcons: D. Harrington, N. Mensch, N. Badrock, C. Gray, A. Daffy, A. Blood

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#24 Alex Dreaver
Ruck | 201cm | 24/05/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 29 hitouts, 3 clearances

Returning from the school football realm, Dreaver carried his strong form into the Talent League. Competing against a pair of bottom-age opponents, he was arguably beaten athletically but imposed himself physically and was able to get involved in chains of possession. Dreaver’s clean hands and composure served him well in those instances, while he stood his ground to compete in marking contests down the line.

#35 Albert MacGowan
Midfielder/Forward | 187cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 marks, 10 tackles, 6 clearances

MacGowan looked a class above at times with his ability to rack up possessions on the inside and outside. While effective with ball in hand, a key feature of his game was his tackle pressure, with the midfielder showing great intent and physicality to shut down opponents. Under similar heat, his hands were typically quick and clean. MacGowan then dipped into his running tank to accumulate around the ground, finding space and hitting leading targets by foot. When not the primary ball winner, his positioning to support teammates as a receiver showed high footy IQ.

#57 Oliver Bartal
Tall Defender | 190cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Having emerged during the mid-season period, Bartal continues to shine and produced some crucial plays late in the piece. His sheer desire to hunt down an opponent and lock him up in a holding-the-ball tackle on the wing was superb, followed by a strong intercept mark inside defensive 50. Throughout the game, Bartal showed his power to burst through tackles and charge forward, launching attacks with speed and penetrative kicking. The left-footer wasn’t afraid to venture into advanced positions and was dynamic when the chance to attack presented.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 20 hitouts, 1 goal

It is no secret that Watt possesses terrific upside, but this was one of his most complete performances. The over-ager looked keen to showcase his athletic gifts, leaping high at the centre bounces and utilising his superior reach to win flashy hitouts in the ruck. He also covered the ground nicely and was a keen clearance winner, using his agility to become a fourth midfielder at stoppage. Watt was unable to hold all his marks in contested situations but provided a target and managed to reel in a few during fourth quarter – one of which led to his lone goal.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#3 Archie Daffy (Richmond F/S)
Forward/Midfielder | 175cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Bringing infectious energy to the contest, Daffy got better and more impactful as the game wore on. His third quarter was terrific, popping up with a pair of goals – with either side of his right foot – to help Geelong maintain the ascendancy. The Richmond father-son hopeful showcased his burst speed throughout the day, driving his legs out of congestion and through tackles. He could have been a little cleaner with his handling and foot skills at times, but player with the right intent.

#4 Darcy Harrington
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 17/11/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Once again leading Geelong’s disposal count, Harrington was among the hardest-working players afield. He displayed his toughness as a first possession winner on the inside, doing so cleanly at the fall of the ball. The diminutive midfielder also spread well to accumulate on the outside and was a threat when rotating forward. Harrington’s ability to hit up and connect his side into attacking 50 was useful, as were his goal and assist in the opening term. A slick and clever ball user.

#18 Ned Badrock
Key Defender | 194cm | 28/02/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 marks, 8 one-percenters

Badrock was an important aerial presence in Geelong’s defence, often doing just enough to ensure Sandringham’s talls found no easy marks close to goal. The composed backman was often seen splitting aerial duels and maintaining his balance to help recover the ground ball, going on to distribute it effectively. He read the play beautifully to produce several intercepts and spoils, either going back courageously with the flight or standing tall one-out. He often took the back shoulder and trusted his judgement to impact the contest.

#20 Charlie Gray
Midfielder | 181cm | 12/05/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 rebound 50s, 1 goal

It was another promising display from Gray, whose turn of foot caught the eye. Operating through the middle, he showed great poise and agility to steer clear of congestion before distributing the ball well by hand. Gray was clean all day but rolled up his sleeves to produce some crunching tackles and compliment his class. His best moment was a fantastic goal in the second term where he sold candy to two opponents before slotting the ball home. A classy lateral mover.

#36 Nate Mensch (Geelong F/S)
Ruck/Key Forward | 196cm | 11/03/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 8 hitouts, 5 goals

He may have started in the ruck, but Mensch made his biggest impact up forward where he booted five goals. Four of them came in the opening half, including three in the first quarter as the bottom-ager proved central to Geelong’s early ascendancy. Mensch was a threat one-out inside 50 and showed his smarts to find space when the Falcons forced forward half turnovers. Whether marking uncontested on the lead, holding his ground, or crashing packs with his spring-heeled leap, Mensch was a constant aerial presence. He also converted his set shots clinically and was a competitive leaper in the ruck. Cats fans, he looks like a beauty for next year.