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- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Sandringham Dragons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Calder Cannons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSandringham Dragons 19.16 (130) def. Calder Cannons 6.7 (43)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
By: James Bell<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#10 <\/strong>Gus Teixeira<\/a>
Midfielder | 181cm | 29\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 20 disposals, 6 marks, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his first outing of the 2026 season, the dashing on-baller once again demonstrated those eye-catching attributes fans and recruiters alike were raving about last year. Teixiera\u2019s rapid leg speed and ground-level efficiency make him a handful at stoppages, and the Cannons definitely got a taste of that. Teixeira spent some time forward and was able to find pockets of space to lead into, which manifested in set shots on goal – converting two.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> Player Focus: <\/strong>Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#17 <\/strong>Lochie Burrows<\/a>
Forward\/Midfielder | 179cm | 18\/08\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burrows has already become a reliable, hard-running and strong-marking forward option for the Dragons. The over-ager broke free in the second half, slotting three of his four goals. He proved a difficult matchup one-on-one because he is both capable in the air and dogged at ground level. Impressively, he also slotted a set shot from about 50 meters out earlier in the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#33 <\/strong>George Dimer<\/a>
Small Forward | 173cm | 21\/06\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 14 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As soon as the ball hit the ground inside 50, the lively small forward became instantly dangerous. Dimer consistently mopped up loose ball and turned most possessions into scoring opportunities. His delivery inside 50 was both precise and delicate, and when personally given an opportunity on goal, he capitalised both in general play and in set shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#35 <\/strong>Albert MacGowan<\/a>
Midfielder | 187cm | 27\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 30 disposals, 5 marks, 3 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Typical of his industrious start to the season, MacGowan easily accumulated the most disposals for the game. The ball magnet led by example at the coalface and remained a constant presence around the ground. He showed unflappable composure across the four quarters and remained efficient even as rain began to tumble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
CALDER CANNONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#2 <\/strong>Sam Harris<\/a> (North Melbourne F\/S)
Midfielder | 179cm | 17\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 20 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cannon\u2019s tough nut ended up as Calder\u2019s best midfielder of the afternoon. The potential Kangaroos father-son prospect worked his way through traffic deftly and also showed off his agility while zipping in and out of congestion. Harris opened up the fourth quarter with a forward 50 snap on the outside of his boot to cap off a decent showing amid a forgettable team performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#4 <\/strong>Tevita Rodan<\/a> (Essendon NGA & Port Adelaide F\/S)
Forward\/Midfielder | 179cm | 18\/02\/2009\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rodan again demonstrated his precociousness, ending up the best bottom-ager of the game.\u00a0He is quite a neat ball user, which was crucial in a rain-affected match. The son of former three-club AFL forward David Rodan<\/em><\/strong> is endowed with a similar smoothness of movement and also the ability to accumulate effortlessly, floating from end-to-end while losing his direct opponent in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#7 <\/strong>Levi West<\/a> (Western Bulldogs F\/S)
Midfielder | 178cm | 13\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 9 tackles, 5 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staying true to the family name, the budding Bulldog embraced the contest, especially as the pressure rose. West applied great effort on-ball, racking up the most tackles for the game. The gritty youngster burrowed in for contested possessions and was able to escape tackles on the way out of congestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#20 <\/strong>Jackson Watkins<\/a>
Midfielder | 185cm | 04\/10\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 16 disposals, 8 clearances, 1 goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a relatively diminutive Cannons midfield, Watkins’ size stood out. His sizeable frame was helpful as conditions worsened and some physical bulk was required. He showed flashes of eccentricity that contrasted nicely with his generally easy-going on-field demeanour.\u00a0Watkins also exhibited a high level of spatial awareness in contests, which allowed him to release outside runners and propel the ball forward.<\/p>\n
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\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Eastern Ranges<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Oakleigh Chargers<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nEastern Ranges 8.10 (58) def. Oakleigh Chargers 8.8 (56)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
By: Michael Alvaro<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EASTERN RANGES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#7 <\/strong>Jordan Knapp<\/a>
Midfielder\/Forward | 179cm | 05\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>31 disposals, 11 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was quite the return for Knapp, who was absent last week but didn\u2019t miss a beat on Saturday. The midfielder racked up possessions in his usual style, proving to be a threat in the attacking phase as he spread hard from the contest. He was clean in the thick of the action and overhead, while leading into useful pockets of space to make himself an option when rotating forward. Knapp\u2019s toughness and work rate were how he led by example, teaming up with Spencer to dominate the midfield and set up several scoring forays. The only thing missing was a goal, but he assisted others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#8 <\/strong>Archie Spencer<\/a>
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 24\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>32 disposals, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With some talk about the art of the handball deteriorating at AFL level, Spencer showed out as a great exponent of it in what was easily his best performance this season. The powerful midfielder released Eastern runners with clean hands and poise in traffic, most notably teaming up with Knapp throughout the night. His sharp steps and ability to ride or break tackles made exiting the contest all the more seamless, as Spencer hunted ground balls with great intensity. He also showed high work rate to accumulate around the ground in what was a statement game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#59 <\/strong>Marcus Krasnadamskis<\/a>
Ruck | 202cm | 18\/06\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>10 disposals, 9 hitouts, 5 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Krasnadamskis continues to show signs of an exciting prospect without having yet produced a dominant four-quarter game in 2026. The over-age ruck looked dangerous when he opted to grab and go out of the ruck contest, using his speed to take off and drive forward. He also used impressive bodywork to access the ball and stayed active at stoppages. There is no denying Krasnadamskis\u2019 freakish dexterity at 202cm, although he can certainly boost his aerial presence around the ground and up forward. He’s full of upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#9 <\/strong>Harper McCullough<\/a>
Midfielder | 176cm | 29\/05\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McCullough once again led Oakleigh for disposals as his side\u2019s most tenacious ball winner. The bottom-ager swooped on the loose pill and stood up in tackles, either slipping out or dishing out to teammates. While relatively small, his strong core held up in those situations. McCullough\u2019s competitiveness saw him continually charge into the contest and come away with darting steps, proving a difficult player to contain. He handled the ball cleanly, although was a touch less polished when going quickly by foot in the tough conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#10 <\/strong>Will Johnson<\/a>
Tall Defender | 191cm | 28\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson’s numbers don’t jump off the page but he produced moments which were equal parts important and impressive. He started down back as one of the kick-in takers and stood out with his attack on the footy to clunk several overhead marks. Once he had intercepted, Johnson took the game on and showed good power in doing so. The strongly-built prospect ended up being thrown on-ball and made an aerial impact at both ends of the ground, standing tall amid a stiff breeze.<\/p>\n
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AROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The third of the all-Metro clashes saw Northern hold on to beat Western by 13 points at Preston City Oval. After kicking out to a 37-point lead at quarter time, the Knights were slowly reined in and their early goalkicking accuracy proved crucial despite a goalless final term, winning 15.5 (95) to 12.10 (82).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Western Bulldogs NGA prospect Khaled El Souki<\/a> continued his hot start to the season, booting six goals for the losing side. Jets midfielder Lachlan Hicks<\/a> once again led all comers with 22 disposals, while emerging Knight Harvie Cooke<\/a> booted a goal from his 19 touches. The Knights were without tall trio Harry Van Hattum<\/strong>, Lewis Houndsome<\/strong>, and Tate Hodgson<\/strong> due to National Academy commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>