DESPITE a tough stretch through the midseason where Sandringham really struggled to remain close to top opposition, the Dragons starts and finishes to the season were far better, with competitive contests in the last couple of Coates Talent League Girls games.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

RECORD: 9th Overall | 4th Metro | 4-10 | 46.70%
STREAK: LWWL | W | LLLLLLW | LLL

THE STORY:

The Dragons started the season off reasonably well with two wins in their first three games, and by Round 6 had a 3-2 record. Unfortunately a six-game losing streak – of which five were by 10 goals or more – hurt Sandringham’s percentage. Luckily for the Dragons, despite finishing 10th overall, they still made finals as the fourth placed metropolitan side, and pushed the Northern Knights in Wildcard Round leading up to the post-season series, before ultimately bowing out to minor premiers, Oakleigh Chargers.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Funnily enough, Sandringham’s best performance might have come in a loss, going down to Northern Knights by a point. The Knights had challenged the top sides in the competition and given Sandringham’s form heading into Wildcard Round were expected to win rather comfortably. When co-captain Scout Howden also ended the game early injured, all the danger signs were there. Except the Dragons never went away and could have won it, hitting the front later before Northern forced a couple of behinds to land in front when the final siren sounded.

THE STAR:

Plenty has been spoken about Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay and it is easy to see why. Boasting a fantastic burst speed, and an ability to motor from contests not just using that speed, but also brute strength and power, enables her to impact offensively. She can go forward and hit the scoreboard as well in a huge positive.

While the defensive side of her game can further develop, McKay offers some of the best offensive weapons and is hard to contain when she is up and about. Having won the Under 17 Futures MVP last year and made the All-Australian team following a great national carnival with Vic Metro, the potential Top 10 pick looms as one who will cost Carlton a first round selection.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Along with McKay, Howden and Daisy Flockart have been the clear standout trio for the Dragons all season. Howden has spent time in defence after being primarily a wing, while Flockart was more of a permanent midfielder in 2024, while still rotating forward. She also spent some time in defence for Vic Metro, showing off her versatility across all three lines.

The trio offer different elements with Howden’s defensive capabilities complementing McKay’s offensive ones, while Flockart is a balance of the two. Along with the trio, Tiger Doultree tried her heart out in defence after switching from the forwardline, while over-age target Mia Zielinski kicked plenty of goals early in the season.

THE FUTURE:

Midfielder Macy Watkins showed signs of being that number one midfielder for the Dragons next season, while Sandringham looks to have its tall forward marking options sewed up. Cleo Phillips, Sienna Sharp and Chloe Williams – the latter of whom won MVP in the Senior Girls’ Herald Sun Shield Grand Final – can all provide promising leads.

One top-end talent is 2008-born Chloe Shipton who was eye-catching for Vic Metro Under 16s at the national carnival. She is still developing areas of her game, but her athleticism along with her versatility makes her one to remember over the next two seasons.