SANDRINGHAM Dragons have bounced back onto the winners list in a big way, toppling Talent League frontrunners the Northern Knights by 13 points at Preston City Oval on Saturday. The Dragons led at every break and rallied after Northern levelled the scores early in term four, kicking the final two goals.

Both sides went into the Round 21 clash undermanned, but the Dragons were buoyed by the inclusion of Haileybury College captain George Dimer. Sandringham’s defence also combined well to quell the influence of the Knights’ tall forwards, playing the conditions with discipline and good intent.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.3 | 3.6 | 6.6 | 8.10 (58)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.2 | 5.4 | 8.9 | 10.11 (71)

GOALS:
Northern Knights: S. Gayfer 3, H. Cooke 2, M. Moate 2, S. Caruso
Sandringham Dragons: A. Aujard 2, A. Grikis 2, O. Mangoni 2, L. Browne, J. Cripps, J. Robinson, K. Watt

BEST:
Northern Knights: H. Cooke, L. Houndsome, S. Gayfer, M. Moate, J. Leeson, J. Borghouts
Sandringham Dragons: O. Bartal, G. Dimer, L. Leo, C. Brookes, J. Noorbergen, K. Watt

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Mitchell Moate
Defender/Midfielder | 181cm | 04/09/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

Moate is beginning to hit top form after an injury-ravaged couple of years. The over-ager started in defence where his clean and quick hands were integral to mopping up contest spills, and getting Northern going on the rebound. He eventually shifted into the centre where he continued to use his frame and power to have an impact. Moate has shown improvement in the way of composure and foot skills in general play, highlighted by the first of his two goals – slotted on the run in term two.

#5 Harvie Cooke
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 12/04/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Cooke is having some sort of season and hardly a week goes by where he isn’t the among the best players afield. The midfield power packet was combative as ever at stoppage, digging in for repeat efforts to apply pressure and extract possession. He used all his power to drive out of congestion and would always look to surge forward, sometimes at the cost of an effective kick. Cooke also rotated deep forward and kicked a couple of important goals in the second half, while showing great aerial courage. His urgency matched what Northern required late in the piece.

#15 Lewis Houndsome
Ruck/Key Forward | 198cm | 29/05/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 37 hitouts, 7 inside 50s

This was the kind of performance that was expected of Houndsome coming into the year, imposing himself in the absence of mainline ruck Harry Van Hattum. He put on a terrific marking display, settling into good spots behind the ball and either crashing packs or getting the better of one-on-one duels. That kind of bodywork translated well to his ruck duties, while his strong vertical leap stood out at the centre ball-ups – where he dominated. An added bonus to Houndsome’s game was his ability to spread from the contest, particularly to provide aerial support to his defence. His handling was clean in general play and he proved too big and strong all day.

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

Stats: 7 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s

Leeder made a terrific start to proceedings but couldn’t quite capitalise on the scoreboard. He looked typically agile on the lead and showed a strong set of hands when competing overhead, clunking a couple of strong early marks inside 50. He missed his set shot opportunities but continued to compete well, even getting stuck in on the follow-up. Leeder worked high up the ground and did his best to compete in aerial contests, although was often made to fly against multiple opponents. His best hope was to bring the ball to ground after half time.

#18 Sam Gayfer
Midfielder/Key Forward | 194cm | 21/05/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 goals

While no stranger to showing out at Preston City Oval, Gayfer found himself in new surroundings to start Saturday’s game. Featuring at the opening ball-up, his strong frame drew attention early on where he earned a free kick and 50-metre penalty to drill the first goal. Gayfer then settled up forward but continued to have a say at stoppage, proving competitive as a forward-50 ruckman. He tackled hard at ground level to ensure his presence wasn’t just felt in the air, where he consistently split marking contests. The mobile tall ended up with three goals and left a couple on the table, but could hardly have done more to have a say on the contest.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#3 Max Matthews
Defender | 187cm | 03/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 9 rebound 50s

Matthews took no time to show off his weapons, unleashing an absolute bomb from the kick-in to spark a quick end-to-end passage. His raking left-foot comfortably cleared the wing at times, although Matthews also opted for more disciplined and predictable restart kicks to the contest. The top-ager worked into dangerous overlap positions and was willing to attack in direct fashion, looking ominous on the outside. At 187cm, his size and power were factors defensively, closing in for strong intercepts and tackles. He has quite a well-rounded skillset for whatever the game requires.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 marks, 2 rebound 50s

Noorbergen took on a couple of tricky matchups deep inside defensive 50 and did his best to quell their aerial influence. While they were difficult to contain for four quarters, the backman rose for a few impressive intercept marks and read the ball well in one-on-one situations. Noorbergen was prepared to settle things down and control possession across the back half, either remaining calm after winning the ball back or finding space to help his side shift the ball around.

#33 George Dimer
Forward/Midfielder | 173cm | 21/06/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Returning to the level for a rare appearance amid the APS season, Dimer was an integral connection piece for the Dragons. He searched high up the ground for possessions, presenting on the lead or joining in at stoppages where he cut through traffic with ease. Dimer’s foot skills and speed and on the way back to goal were what truly cut Northern up, as the diminutive talent arched his back and drove his legs with ball in hand. He was near-impossible to lay a hand on, but wrapped up opposition ball-winners with a game-high nine tackles – also earning a run on-ball.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Bartal is continuing to garner attention for his performances in Sandringham’s backline, and showed a versatile array of skills on Saturday. At 190cm, he competed well in the air and was willing to crash packs as an interceptor, flying with courage one-on-one or as an extra number. He was just as capable in open play, picking off errant Northern kicks and charging forward before using his punchy left foot to hit targets. Bartal was also entrusted with some of the kick-in duties but was much more dangerous when operating off a high line. He helped shut down some of Northern’s marking targets while posing a threat on the counterattack.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 16 hitouts, 7 clearances, 1 goal

Watt was up against it given the imperious form of Houndsome, but produced his own moments of promise. The raking, mobile tall used his aerial range and reach to impact in the air while also staying engaged on the follow-up. He started the second half up forward and showed elevated intent, going on to snap a goal after recovering his own spill. Watt looked most capable when able to extent overhead, and while influential in open play, can continue to build strength.