Rivals too good in final home-and-away season hit out
By Lenny ROBERTS
The round nineteen fixture for the Dragons saw them battle with local competitors, the Oakleigh Chargers, for the third time this campaign.
It was a beautiful day for football at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Both teams were stacked with talent with many top-end draft prospects featuring on the field. And even with Oakleigh sitting on the bottom of the table, it was certain to be an intriguing contest.
Young gun Arki Butler got his opportunity on debut as a sixteen-year-old.
Levi Ashcroft, Murphy Reid, and Sam Marshall were the opening bounce attendees.
Oakleigh vice-captain Finn O’Sullivan marked on the fifty-metre arc, went back and saluted to open the scoring.
Midfield bull Nathaniel Sulzberger finished neatly to give Sandringham their first.
Charlie Rozenes displayed some of his spark and dash.
Oakleigh then responded through three set-shots to open up an early lead.
Both Harrison Oliver (14 disposals, seven marks) and Sam Marshall (22 disposals, eight marks) did some things.
The Chargers were however well on top, but somewhat inaccurate in front of goal. A dominant quarter from Oakleigh was capped off with one more major and a miss to make it eleven scoring shots to just one.
They led by twenty-nine points at the first change.
It was more of the same to start the second with the blue & red slotting the first two the term.
Alarm bells started to ring for the Dragons, particularly in the middle where they were getting slaughtered. Led by skipper Jagga Smith, who was prolific in the contest.
Reid started to get involved and showcased his composure around the ball.
The mobile Bailey McKenzie finally broke the run of goals to give the Dragons something, dribbling home one from close range.
Ludowyke then made it two in quick succession after a free kick inside-50.
However, Oakleigh hit back immediately.
Some crafty forward work by Harry Armstrong in the goal square gave him his first of the day as Sandringham were slowly working their way back into the game.
Butler got on the end of a deep entry to kick his first in Dragons colours.
One to Oakleigh and then one to Ludowyke before the siren sounded to end the first half.
It was an even four-goal lead to the visitors.
The Chargers continued to press in the third term.
Sam Linder (15 disposals, five marks) was energetic behind the ball.
There were two missed chances at goal for Sandringham before Oakleigh went up the other end to kick one.
Reid (25 disposals) then produced a stunning goal to give his side some momentum. Taking three bounces starting from the wing before finishing on the run.
The Vic Metro MVP was among the best for the Dragons.
Marshall utilised his elite aerobic capacity to get to as many stoppages as he could along with breaking away from his opponent into space to find marks.
Some ownership of territory by the Chargers resulted in them kicking two on the bounce to keep the margin comfortable. Before FOS added another in the 23rd minute.
The debutante, Butler, marked inside-50 and converted on the three-quarter-time siren to kick his second.
Heading into the last, it was the Chargers with a handy thirty-five-point lead.
And a three-goal to two final quarter ensured the visitors a comfortable win.
Adrian Cole showcased his elite athletic ability by manufacturing a magnificent run from full-back all the way up to the wing.
Mitch Kirkwood-Scott (23 disposals, eleven rebound-50’s) was a staple behind play.
Sandringham kicked their ninth through McKenzie who quickly goaled in the eleventh minute. But Oakleigh hit straight back with one of their own.
Butler found a third in what was a very successful first appearance in the U18’s.
He finished with 13 disposals and seven marks as well.
Two more majors to Oakleigh eventually saw them run out 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70) winners, in a game where they never trailed.
The Dragons unfortunately fall to fourth place on the Coates Talent League ladder.
They will reset and turn their focus towards the wildcard round which starts this week where they will take on the Western Jets in Ballarat on Saturday.
GOALS: Butler 3, Ludowyke, McKenzie 2, Armstrong, Reid, Sulzberger
BEST: Marshall, Oliver, Cole, Butler, Kirkwood-Scott, Seers