{"id":193758,"date":"2025-06-27T16:15:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T06:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=193758"},"modified":"2025-06-27T16:16:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T06:16:00","slug":"preview-bolstered-dragons-look-to-get-back-on-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/06\/27\/preview-bolstered-dragons-look-to-get-back-on-track\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Bolstered Dragons look to get back on track"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>REIGNING premiers Sandringham Dragons have been handed a major selection boost in their bid to overturn a 4-5 record in Round 13 of the Coates Talent League. They will have access to a slew of APS-committed players and Vic Metro representatives for their clash against Calder Cannons tomorrow, which kicks off a double-header at Highgate Recreation Reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"t7_match_result match-result-comparison rmc-block is-match-preview\">\n<div class='match-result_legend'><ul><li>Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='match-result_team'><ul><li class='column-head'><h5 class='heading title h5'>Calder Cannons<\/h5><img src='https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/FB_IMG_1728076435556-150x150.jpg' \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='match-result_team'><ul><li class='column-head'><h5 class='heading title h5'>Sandringham Dragons<\/h5><img src='https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Sandringham-150x150.jpg' \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Saturday June 28, 12:10pm<br><strong>WHERE:<\/strong> Highgate Recreation Reserve<br><strong>WATCH: <\/strong>KommunityTV (subscription required)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>IN A SENTENCE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bolstered Sandringham Dragons outfit will hope to get back to an even ledger when they face Calder Cannons on the road, who themselves are out to snap a three-game losing streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WHERE THEY SIT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calder Cannons &#8211; 4-4 | 109.5% | LLLWW<br>Sandringham Dragons &#8211; 4-5 | 96.6% | LLWLL<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>TEAMS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Calder Cannons<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. James Manfre<br>2. Hussien El Achkar<br>3. Hamish Bird<br>8. Jack Dodorico<br>10. Jett Laidler<br>11. Jamieson Fleming<br>12. Taj Robinson<br>13. Jad Naim<br>15. Gus Papal<br>16. Jack Rutten<br>18. Sam Harris<br>23. Adam Sweid<br>27. Jackson Barber<br>30. Ben Taylor<br>34. Blake Justice<br>36. Tex Longmire<br>40. Aiden Harris<br>42. Zac Newman<br>45. George Holderhead<br>46. Nash McMahon<br>47. Slayde Law<br>49. Tevita Rodan<br>59. Campbell White<br>60. Oliver Watt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sandringham Dragons<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Jack Dalton<br>3. Max Matthews<br>4. Julian Galbally<br>6. Arki Butler<br>8. Sam Buck<br>9. Rory Wright<br>11. Archie Ludowyke<br>12. Keanu Nadji<br>16. Tyson Bradley<br>27. Xavier Bamert<br>29. Phoenix Janover<br>30. Darby Heelis<br>32 Miles Tyrer<br>33. George Dimer<br>34. Kye Fincher<br>37. Charlie Rozenes<br>41. Bennett Martin<br>48. Archie Edwards<br>60. Sacha Levine<br>63. Freddy Brayshaw<br>66. Eiden Pitt<br>70. Kayne Watt<br>74. Jack Davies<br>75. Willis Reidy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ONES TO WATCH:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sandringham has access to all seven of its Vic Metro squad members, including train-on ruck <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154609\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/miles-tyrer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Miles Tyrer<\/a>, with the APS break and Metro bye coming at a perfect time. Recruiter will arguably be most keen to seen how <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134556\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/jack-dalton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jack Dalton<\/a> fares, with the hard-running midfielder keen to claim a Big V jumper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Captain <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134560\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/xavier-bamert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xavier Bamert<\/a> is the only Metro representative to have consistently been with the Dragons and should hold down a spot in midfield. Along with Dalton, <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"184389\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/rory-wright\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rory Wright<\/a> will likely rotate between the inside and wing, while prolific defender <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134652\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/kye-fincher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kye Fincher<\/a> is a chance to feature there if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Up forward, watch for key forward <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"134564\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/archie-ludowyke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archie Ludowyke<\/a> to steer the ship with his leading patterns and goalkicking exploits. There&#8217;s also crafty bottom-ager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"165064\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/arki-butler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arki Butler<\/a> at his feet, who is the only 2008-born player in the Metro squad. Both are teammates at Brighton Grammar alongside Fincher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile for Calder, Essendon Next Generation Academy pair <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154323\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/hussien-el-achkar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hussien El Achkar<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154424\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/adam-sweid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adam Sweid<\/a> will be among the main attractions. They are both part of the Vic Metro squad alongside co-captain <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154315\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/jackson-barber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jackson Barber<\/a>, who will team up with over-ager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"154329\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/gus-papal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gus Papal<\/a> as intercept defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the Under 18 representatives, Calder will field four of its six Vic Metro Under 18 squad members. Among them is <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"183947\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/tevita-rodan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tevita Rodan<\/a>, the son of <strong><em>David<\/em><\/strong> who is tied to Port Adelaide (father-son) and Essendon (NGA). <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"183945\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/slayde-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Slayde Law<\/a> is another to watch, a 194cm ruck\/forward in the Metro setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PREDICTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sandringham&#8217;s influx of top-end talent speaks to their intentions, while Calder has opted to blood plenty of younger talent with more of a long-term scope on team selection. The quality gap may be stark at times but Calder can scrap, even on the back of three-straight losses. Dragons by 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-185788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-128x85.jpg 128w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12-32x21.jpg 32w, https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/CC-Adam-Sweid-12.jpg 1944w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Adam Sweid kicks at goal | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-round-13-fixture\">ROUND 13 FIXTURE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Saturday June 28:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eastern Ranges vs. GWV Rebels<br>12:00pm @ La Trobe University<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calder Cannons vs. Sandringham Dragons<br>12:10pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Western Jets vs. Oakleigh Chargers<br>1:10PM @ Avalon Airport Oval<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Murray Bushrangers vs. Gippsland Power<br>2:40pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sunday June 29:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bendigo Pioneers vs. Northern Knights<br>12:00pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Geelong Falcons vs. Dandenong Stingrays<br>1:40pm @ West Oval Reserve<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dc-block-dc-mention _dc_mention\"><div class=\"section-heading_wrap\"><span class=\"section-heading is-small\">Mentions<\/span><span class=\"hor-border\"><\/span><\/div><ul class=\"js-overflow-list overflow-list\"><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/miles-tyrer\/\">Miles Tyrer<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jack-dalton\/\">Jack Dalton<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/xavier-bamert\/\">Xavier Bamert<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/rory-wright\/\">Rory Wright<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/kye-fincher\/\">Kye Fincher<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/archie-ludowyke\/\">Archie Ludowyke<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/arki-butler\/\">Arki Butler<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/hussien-el-achkar\/\">Hussien El Achkar<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/adam-sweid\/\">Adam Sweid<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jackson-barber\/\">Jackson Barber<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/gus-papal\/\">Gus Papal<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/tevita-rodan\/\">Tevita Rodan<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/slayde-law\/\">Slayde Law<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_e\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/event\/calder-cannons-vs-sandringham-dragons-11\/\">Calder Cannons vs Sandringham Dragons<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"js-dropdown dropdown overflowed\"><button class=\"btn btn-icon-only\"><span class=\"icon btn-icon\">\n                    <!-- icon - plus circle - 20px-->\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n                        <path d=\"M15,9.28h-4.3V5h0A.72.72,0,1,0,9.28,5h0V9.28H5a.72.72,0,0,0,0,1.43H9.28V15a.72.72,0,0,0,1.43,0h0V10.71H15a.72.72,0,0,0,0-1.43Z\"\/>\n                        <path d=\"M10,0A10,10,0,1,0,20,10,10,10,0,0,0,10,0Zm0,18.57A8.57,8.57,0,0,1,10,1.43h0a8.57,8.57,0,0,1,0,17.14Z\"\/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/span><\/button><div class=\"popover\"><div class=\"popover-content\"><ul class=\"popover-menu\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>REIGNING premiers Sandringham Dragons have been handed a major selection boost in their bid to overturn a 4-5 record in Round 13 of the Coates Talent League. They will have access to a slew of APS-committed players and Vic Metro representatives for their clash against Calder Cannons tomorrow, which kicks off a double-header at Highgate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":184771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18050,11587,8,11596,20172,3134],"tags":[22269,20809,21836,18891,22264,21685,20807,22262,22029,21808,22405,22835,22834,20808],"class_list":["post-193758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afl-draft","category-calder-cannons","category-news","category-sandringham-dragons","category-talent-league","category-victoria","tag-adam-sweid","tag-archie-ludowyke","tag-arki-butler","tag-calder-cannons-vs-sandringham-dragons","tag-gus-papal","tag-hussien-el-achkar","tag-jack-dalton","tag-jackson-barber","tag-kye-fincher","tag-miles-tyrer","tag-rory-wright","tag-slayde-law","tag-tevita-rodan","tag-xavier-bamert"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193758"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193758\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":193773,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193758\/revisions\/193773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=193758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}