Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy member Ben Rongdit<\/a> produced a strong first half in his return from a long-term knee injury, while the Dragons were buoyed by the inclusion of a few APS guns. Among them was Under 18 All-Australian Albert MacGowan<\/a>, who led all comers with 28 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.1 | 7.3 | 9.6 | 13.10 (88) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #24 <\/strong>Alex Dreaver<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>8 disposals, 29 hitouts, 3 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n Returning from the school football realm, Dreaver carried his strong form into the Talent League. Competing against a pair of bottom-age opponents, he was arguably beaten athletically but imposed himself physically and was able to get involved in chains of possession. Dreaver\u2019s clean hands and composure served him well in those instances, while he stood his ground to compete in marking contests down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #35 <\/strong>Albert MacGowan<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>28 disposals, 8 marks, 10 tackles, 6 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n MacGowan looked a class above at times with his ability to rack up possessions on the inside and outside. While effective with ball in hand, a key feature of his game was his tackle pressure, with the midfielder showing great intent and physicality to shut down opponents. Under similar heat, his hands were typically quick and clean. MacGowan then dipped into his running tank to accumulate around the ground, finding space and hitting leading targets by foot. When not the primary ball winner, his positioning to support teammates as a receiver showed high footy IQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #57 <\/strong>Oliver Bartal<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having emerged during the mid-season period, Bartal continues to shine and produced some crucial plays late in the piece. His sheer desire to hunt down an opponent and lock him up in a holding-the-ball tackle on the wing was superb, followed by a strong intercept mark inside defensive 50. Throughout the game, Bartal showed his power to burst through tackles and charge forward, launching attacks with speed and penetrative kicking. The left-footer wasn\u2019t afraid to venture into advanced positions and was dynamic when the chance to attack presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #70 <\/strong>Kayne Watt<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 5 marks, 20 hitouts, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is no secret that Watt possesses terrific upside, but this was one of his most complete performances. The over-ager looked keen to showcase his athletic gifts, leaping high at the centre bounces and utilising his superior reach to win flashy hitouts in the ruck. He also covered the ground nicely and was a keen clearance winner, using his agility to become a fourth midfielder at stoppage. Watt was unable to hold all his marks in contested situations but provided a target and managed to reel in a few during fourth quarter – one of which led to his lone goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n GEELONG FALCONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #3 <\/strong>Archie Daffy<\/a> (Richmond F\/S)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing infectious energy to the contest, Daffy got better and more impactful as the game wore on. His third quarter was terrific, popping up with a pair of goals \u2013 with either side of his right foot \u2013 to help Geelong maintain the ascendancy. The Richmond father-son hopeful showcased his burst speed throughout the day, driving his legs out of congestion and through tackles. He could have been a little cleaner with his handling and foot skills at times, but player with the right intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Darcy Harrington<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>25 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again leading Geelong\u2019s disposal count, Harrington was among the hardest-working players afield. He displayed his toughness as a first possession winner on the inside, doing so cleanly at the fall of the ball. The diminutive midfielder also spread well to accumulate on the outside and was a threat when rotating forward. Harrington\u2019s ability to hit up and connect his side into attacking 50 was useful, as were his goal and assist in the opening term. A slick and clever ball user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #18 <\/strong>Ned Badrock<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 7 marks, 8 one-percenters<\/p>\n\n\n\n Badrock was an important aerial presence in Geelong\u2019s defence, often doing just enough to ensure Sandringham\u2019s talls found no easy marks close to goal. The composed backman was often seen splitting aerial duels and maintaining his balance to help recover the ground ball, going on to distribute it effectively. He read the play beautifully to produce several intercepts and spoils, either going back courageously with the flight or standing tall one-out. He often took the back shoulder and trusted his judgement to impact the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GEELONG FALCONS 6.1 | 9.2 | 12.4 | 12.6 (78)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sandringham Dragons: <\/strong>J. Cripps 3, J. Davies 3, C. Brookes 2, A. Grikis, O. Mangoni, J. Robinson, M. Stewart, K. Watt
Geelong Falcons: <\/strong>N. Mensch 5, A. Daffy 2, C. Gray, D. Harrington, F. McInnes, J. Penrice, V. Rahilly<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sandringham Dragons: <\/strong>A. MacGowan, K. Watt, J. Lemon, C. Brookes, L. Leo, O. Bartal
Geelong Falcons: <\/strong>D. Harrington, N. Mensch, N. Badrock, C. Gray, A. Daffy, A. Blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SD-celebrate-2026-Talent-League-1024x669.png\")
Sandringham Dragons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Geelong Falcons<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Ruck | 201cm | 24\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 187cm | 27\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Defender | 190cm | 04\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward\/Ruck | 203cm | 30\/01\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Archie-Daffy-GF-2026-Talent-League-1024x669.png\")
Forward\/Midfielder | 175cm | 24\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 176cm | 17\/11\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 194cm | 28\/02\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nate-Mensch-GF-2026-Talent-League-1024x669.png\")