Brave Dragons hold on in tough conditions against Rays
By Lenny ROBERTS
After no Coates League games last weekend, all teams returned for round fifteen.
The Dragons next challenge was the Dandenong Stingrays in Seaford, and with many faces still unavailable due to other duties, it was going to be a tough task.
There were three new debutants for this match with Zach Hawkins, James Georgiou, and Luke McGinness getting their opportunity at the level.
Riely Collins, Jhett Haeata, and Luke Kennedy were the followers in the opening bounce, with Luka Pecer filling in as the ruck man. And kicking towards the southern end first in windy and damp circumstances, Sandringham gave up the first.
Kennedy looked on early, showcasing his elite craftwork around the contest. The seventeen-year-old registered 30 disposals, and eight tackles for the game.
A chain of possession from Voss to Kennedy to Haeata to Green to Hoult saw Sandringham kick their first goal of the day.
Unfortunately, there were two injuries for the Dragons in the opening ten minutes, with both Ted Clayton and then Sam Meredith going down.
After representing Vic Metro last weekend, Adrian Cole was again strong down back. While Jack Cheep followed suit and competed hard as well.
Sandy generated a ton of inside-50’s, and as a result, Ricky Theodoropoulas crumbed an entry to snap home the Dragons second. The Rays immediately responded by putting through one of their own to level the scores at thirteen apiece.
Theodoropoulas added his second after the wind helped guide it through with the goal set up from the defensive half.
A free kick near the goal square and conversion to Benjamin Seers gave the Dragons their fourth right before the quarter-time siren, and a two-straight kick lead. Seers’ 20 disposals and eight tackles were vital for Sandringham all-day.
Dandenong captain Harvey Langford opened the scoring in the second term by dribbling home one just twenty seconds in. Before they added another right after in the second minute to tie the game.
Theodoropoulas (26 disposals, 9 marks) found Voss who went back in tough conditions to counter the Stingrays' surge. Dandenong then kicked their fifth, a fun back-and-forth affair so far.
Ricky got involved yet again to set up a Hoult goal in advance of Oliver Green homing one from a set shot for the Dragons seventh.
Owen Bater was solid behind play matched up on Langford.
The Dragons struggled to get it past halfway for the rest of the quarter, although their defence was holding firm and would eventually go into the main break with a ten-point advantage.
Sandringham extended their halftime lead by drawing first blood through Green, who was lively across the forward line.
A couple of missed opportunities went begging for Dandenong in terms of scoreboard damage.
Kennedy picked off a ball from Dandenong and quickly found Theodoropoulas inside-50 who went back and slotted his third. Giving Sandy a twenty-two-point lead.
The Stingrays hit back with back-to-back goals to find a bit of momentum.
Collins (21 disposals) was heavily involved in the third term and got some reward for his hard work by snagging a major from in front. Partnering him in the engine room, Haeata (22 disposals) was also handy.
With one quarter to play, it was the makeshift hosts who held a seventeen-point lead.
Dandenong were owning the territory however very little damage was done on the scoreboard. Partially due to the rough conditions as there was a strong breeze going south-west across the ground.
Bennett Martin did some good things behind the ball for his seventeen disposals. While Lachlan Voss was prominent in the air, recording 16 disposals, seven marks, and eleven hit outs.
After eleven minutes went by in the term without a goal, the Rays eventually snapped one home to trim the margin to eight points. And added another after a good buildup from their defensive half. There were just two points in it all of a sudden.
A narrow miss by Langford that would’ve put his side in front proved costly as the Dragons went up the other end almost immediately and kicked one of their own, courtesy of Luke McGinness. His first goal in Sandringham colours.
Kennedy capped off a brilliant game by nailing a chase down tackle on the far wing to just about shut the match down.
The Dragons eventually held on to run out 11.7 (73) to 9.11 (65) victors, even with thirteen less inside-50’s and less scoring shots on the day.
A great win with a ton of key personnel out.
Their next game takes place on Saturday in Wangaratta where they’ll battle with the Murray Bushrangers for the first time this season.
GOALS: Theodoropoulas 3, Hoult, Green 2, Collins, Seers, Voss, McGinness
BEST: Kennedy, Theodoropoulas, Seers, Green, Haeata, Bater