We took note of the top prospects from either side.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n NORTHERN KNIGHTS 2.3 | 3.6 | 6.6 | 8.10 (58) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n NORTHERN KNIGHTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #1 <\/strong>Mitchell Moate<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #5 <\/strong>Harvie Cooke<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>25 disposals, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cooke is having some sort of season and hardly a week goes by where he isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #15 <\/strong>Lewis Houndsome<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 6 marks, 37 hitouts, 7 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #16 <\/strong>Harrison Leeder<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>7 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leeder made a terrific start to proceedings but couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 <\/strong>Sam Gayfer<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #3 <\/strong>Max Matthews<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 5 marks, 9 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #25 <\/strong>Jasper Noorbergen<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 7 marks, 2 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #33 <\/strong>George Dimer<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.2 | 5.4 | 8.9 | 10.11 (71)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northern Knights: <\/strong>S. Gayfer 3, H. Cooke 2, M. Moate 2, S. Caruso
Sandringham Dragons: <\/strong>A. Aujard 2, A. Grikis 2, O. Mangoni 2, L. Browne, J. Cripps, J. Robinson, K. Watt<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northern Knights: <\/strong>H. Cooke, L. Houndsome, S. Gayfer, M. Moate, J. Leeson, J. Borghouts
Sandringham Dragons: <\/strong>O. Bartal, G. Dimer, L. Leo, C. Brookes, J. Noorbergen, K. Watt<\/p>\n\n\n\nNorthern Knights<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Sandringham Dragons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Defender\/Midfielder | 181cm | 04\/09\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 176cm | 12\/04\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruck\/Key Forward | 198cm | 29\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward | 193cm | 03\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Key Forward | 194cm | 21\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NK-Samuel-Gayfer-9-1024x683.jpg\")
Defender | 187cm | 03\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 194cm | 27\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward\/Midfielder | 173cm | 21\/06\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n