SANDRINGHAM Dragons’ quest to make a fifth-straight Talent League decider remains alive after knocking off the higher-ranked Calder Cannons in Wildcard Round. A fast start saw the Dragons pile on six goals to one in the opening term, setting up the 48-point win at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

The Dragons capitalised on Calder’s early inaccuracy but began to be tested towards the end of the third term. The Cannons had cut the margin back to 17 points, only for Sacha Demetriou to slot a relieving goal just before the final break to help make Sandringham’s victory all the more comfortable.

Sandringham’s balance of defensive rigidity and scoring power came to the fore, with their key backs shining while 11 individual goalkickers got to work at the other end. The Dragons will return to Preston City Oval to face Northern Knights on Saturday, while Calder’s strong season ends early.

CALDER CANNONS 1.5 | 4.7 | 9.9 | 10.10 (70)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 6.4 | 10.7 | 13.9 | 17.16 (118)

GOALS:
Calder Cannons: T. Lincoln 3, J. Watkins 3, M. Darwish, C. Robbins, T. Rodan, B. Taylor
Sandringham Dragons: Q. Hofmann 3, A. Aujard 2, C. Brookes 2, L. Burrows 2, K. Watt 2, O. Bartal, A. Brown, S. Demetriou, G. Dimer, A. MacGowan, R. Stratford

BEST:
Calder Cannons: B. Justice, T. Rodan, J. Watkins, K. Bewick, I. Merhi, T. Lincoln
Sandringham Dragons: R. Stratford, O. Bartal, A. MacGowan, L. Burrows, T. Bradley, Q. Hofmann

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Blake Justice
Midfielder | 191cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 11 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Justice was central to Calder’s clearance dominance, winning 11 overall and a whopping eight at the centre ball-ups. His strong hands and frame served him well on the inside, complimented by the willingness to make repeat ball-winning efforts. Justice desperately applied pressure and continued to play the team game by bringing others into the fray. He showed glimpses of added expansiveness with bursts of speed and drill kicks heading inside 50, although did much of his best work when combining by hand out of the middle.

#4 Tevita Rodan
Forward | 180cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Rodan produced one of his best and most effective performances of the season, playing an ideal high forward’s game. He prolifically found possession up the ground and used his speed to take the game on heading back to goal, connecting the lines better than anyone afield. His leading patterns and one-on-one craft were terrific, and he compounded that impact with a long goal in term three. Rodan’s end product can waver at times, but his ability to attack with power is outstanding.

#8 Koby Bewick
Midfielder | 178cm | 10/01/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances

Bewick led all comers and was typically industrious in Calder’s midfield, racking up 20 uncontested possessions. He sought to run the game with his running patterns and ball use, although dished up a handful of uncharacteristic clangers along the way. A pleasing part of Bewick’s game was his turn of speed, showing great pace out of the middle and changing gears to escape pressure from behind. Even when he’s slightly off, he can orchestrate plenty of productive passages.

#10 Isa Merhi
Small Defender | 177cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Merhi was another of Calder’s key connective pieces, sparking plenty of attacks out of the backline. He was typically neat from the kick-ins and dipped into his running power to chain possessions up the field, carrying the ball into dangerous launch zones. He hunted handball receives and wasn’t afraid to show some dash and dare before finishing off by foot.

#20 Jackson Watkins
Forward/Midfielder | 185cm | 04/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

Watkins capped off an underrated campaign in powerful form, dealing damage on the way forward. His explosive speed was a weapon, with the top-ager bursting through traffic and taking on tacklers through the middle of the ground. Watkins’ attacking intent was rewarded with six scoring shots, three being goals in open play. He also held his own in midfield to win 17 contested possessions.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Archie Bakoulas
Tall Defender | 191cm | 05/02/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 10 marks, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Bakoulas was his confident self in Sandringham’s backline, intercepting and rebounding prolifically. He operated across a high line, getting into good spots to cut off Calder kicks with his playreading and aerial game. The bottom-ager also attacked well with his athleticism and foot skills, proving an all-round versatile threat in defence.

#12 Riley Stratford
Midfielder/Forward | 188cm | 04/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Stratford put together arguably his best performance at this level, showing just why he is potentially being courted by Tasmania. The bottom-ager got on the board early with a classy goal on the run and covered ground beautifully as a bigger-bodied prospect. He dropped back and snuck forward to impact at both ends of the ground, working hard to find pockets of space around the ground. While not overly quick, his strong frame allowed him to withstand pressure and fight out of congestion. Stratford’s kick distribution was also sound given he found the space to be effective.

#16 Tyson Bradley
Key Defender | 195cm | 16/09/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 6 rebound 50s

With support from Jasper Williams as another physically robust key defender, Bradley’s intercept marking was allowed to shine. The Vic Metro MVP clunked a series of strong grabs, seemingly planting himself in all the right spots to cut off errant Calder entries. He was safe as houses across the back 50, reading the play expertly and never looking like fumbling. With his strength and one-on-one craft, he shapes as a prospect in the Tom Barrass mould.

#17 Lochie Burrows
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 11/04/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was an energetic outing from Burrows, who offers an array of weapons both offensively and defensively. He started out with an early goal, winning the ball at ground level before bursting out of traffic to snap it home. That kind of explosive movement became a staple of Burrows’ play, seeing him break the lines and pose a threat heading forward. He also showed his spring with some terrific marking feats, proving gutsy when competing overhead to reel in a pair of contested grabs. One of them led to his second goal. He’s a genuine powerhouse.

#22 Quentin Hofmann
Tall Forward | 190cm | 12/01/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Hofmann cashed in with a hat-trick of goals, one in each of the first three quarters, and provided ample marking presence inside 50. He was clever and nimble enough to finish in open play, either sneaking out the back or recovering after the initial marking contest. His speed off the mark, combined with terrific reach and a strong set of hands made him a threat both on the lead or deep in attack. He has some great traits as a mobile tall.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 goal

Dimer was relatively well contained but had his usual moments of class up forward. While he invited pressure at times, his evasive technique and wicked turn of foot caught the eye, most notably as he slipped away from his direct opponent to snap a first quarter goal. Dimer’s agility served him well as he looked to create from further up the field, using his dancing feet to find space and get a crafty disposal away. He was only credited with one tackle, but is capable of applying tenacious pressure.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 6 clearances, 1 goal

It was a typical kind of MacGowan game, as he picked up possessions in all parts of the ground with relative ease. His footy smarts were on show along the way, working into ideal spots to support teammates and move the ball out of congestion. He balanced his game with six clearances and 16 uncontested possessions, doing his best work by hand. Although, MacGowan also showed his class with a perfectly judged goal on the move in term four.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 marks, 6 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Bartal continues to put together a compelling draft case with his all-round game as a tall defender. He was tested by the Rodan matchup early on but came into his own with strong intercept marks and driving left-foot kicks on the attack. He reeled in three contested grabs and did damage with his ball use in advanced positions, including with a long bomb goal in the second quarter. That blend of attack and defence, and small and tall feats makes him an incredibly versatile talent.