SANDRINGHAM Dragons made it two wins on the trot with big victory over Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels at Mars Stadium over the weekend. The first term was a tough scrap, before the Dragons booted eight goals to one in the final three quarters, with Grace McIntyre and Maya Duane combining for seven of their side’s nine majors in the 9.10 (64) to 2.5 (17) victory.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye.

GWV REBELS:

#6 Peggy Rock
Midfielder/Forward | 166cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 1 mark, 11 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

The bottom-ager was a standout for the Rebels across the course of the match, with a host of fierce tackles and some crucial clearances from congestion. Rock plays on the edge and it means she can give away some overzealous frees, while also winning some with her desperation. As soon as she went on-ball, she created a different dynamic, not afraid to throw herself at any contest and is competitive as any player out there. Can throw it on the boot at times, but uses both side of her body and with any time or space inflicts plenty of damage.

#9 Lila Evans
Midfielder | 166cm | 30/08/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Evans produced her usual level of consistency and contested work around the ball, cracking in and putting her body on the line when required. Defensively she is outstanding, and her pressure at the coalface always puts the opposition midfield on notice. At times she can clear the ball quickly from congestion and it leads to a lower efficiency, but her contest-to-contest work, and ability to spread across the ground is important.

#17 Milly Shortal
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The big-bodied midfielder did her best to try and create something from stoppages and break clear or apply some big tackles, and while often getting on the wrong side of the umpires with four frees again, did get involved in all thirds of the ground. Returning from Vic Country after playing as a tall defender there, Shortal predominantly played midfield for the Rebels again and also rotated forward, where she slammed home a goal in the third term after finding herself all alone and her team won a turnover. Looks dangerous as a target, and her raking left boot is always going to carry plenty of metres.

#33 Tilly McErlain
Midfielder/Forward | 166cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

An exciting double bottom-ager, McErlain produced one of her more consistent performances, starting in the midfield then spending a lot of time forward as well to be a target. What stands out about McErlain outside of her explosive speed – which she didn’t get to show off too much – is her one-on-one ability, and how she not only competes strongly in the air, but plants her frame at ground level and can nudge opponents out of the way to win it. She creates space to lead into and always provides a contest, with McErlain a name to remember in a couple of years.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Grace McIntyre
Forward/Wing | 173cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 4 goals, 2 behinds

The Dragons’ top draft prospect for 2026 lit up in front of the goals, booting four goals of which three came in the first half. She was the difference between the sides early and handed the Dragons a big lead, with her fourth coming just a few minutes into the third term, and registered six scoring shots, getting deep forward and goalside quite often to cause plenty of headaches. Her athletic traits and aerial strength help her as a target inside 50, while still having the running capacity to assist behind the ball when in a wing role.

#5 Grace Perrett
Midfielder | 178cm | 08/04/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 2 marks, 14 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

In Perrett’s biggest game of the year, the powerful inside midfielder really put on a strong two-way performance, not only finding a stack of the ball, but laying double-digit tackles in the process. The scrappy gamestyle suited Perrett around the stoppages, and she has the running ability to cover ground all day and be a marking target as well. While she only took a couple of marks in the match, both coming in the last 25 minutes, she constantly stood up in tackles or extracted the ball from congstion.

#11 Georgia Berryman
Wing/Defender | 177cm | 17/11/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Providing some dash off a wing and particularly supporting her side behind the ball, the bottom-aged talent took a number of good marks, and when pressing forward was able to slot home a goal. She was aided by a 50-metre penalty which took her to the goalsquare, but she ended up just slotting it from 20 metres out. Though she can tidy up her disposal a little, she showed she can win it in a manner of ways and find the contested ball as much as the uncontested ball.

#20 Maya Duane
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Rode shotgun to McIntyre’s performance up forward and her last goal came with the final kick of the game, but Duane still inflicted plenty of pain on the Rebels. She started on-ball each quarter and rotated forward, with her first major coming from an intercept mark and long-range bomb late in the second term, before her third was a clever snap from 35 metres out. Always active and dangerous, she has enormous upside and talent and will be a top name in next year’s AFLW Draft.

#29 Isla Tucker
Midfielder/Defender | 168cm | 11/07/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A really consistent player who is just a natural footballer, Tucker has a good two-way streak about her. She can bring the pressure, but also spread and win her own ball, using it effectively forward of centre. One of those players you can trust with ball in hand both for the execution and decision making, she can compete overhead as well. While not overly athletic, she covers the ground well and puts in 100 per cent to the final siren.