Coates Talent League 2023: Reid, Ashcroft, Maginnes among Sandringham Dragons best in win

Clutch goals and eye-catching performances underpinned the Sandringham Dragons’ first-up win in the Coates Talent League.

The Sandy Dragons started the season with a 14-point win over Eastern Ranges. Picture: Facebook

It was a tight tussle but the Sandringham Dragons are first-up winners in 2023.

Clutch goals and eye-catching performances underpinned the strong finishing Dragons’ 14-point victory over the Eastern Ranges in the Round 1 Coates Talent League match at Moorabbin on Saturday.

Calsher Dear ran into an open goal and banged through the final major of the match at the 21 minute mark of the last term to seal the 12.13 (85) to 10.11 (71) win.

The Sandringham Dragons side included eight debutants, while the Eastern Ranges had half a dozen Vic Metro squad players.

“I think all but one of them were playing on Saturday so they’ve got some real weapons,” new Dragons coach Rob Harding said of the Ranges.

“To squeak away with a couple goal win was pretty pleasing to be honest.

“We just had weight of numbers going our way in the last quarter and we were able to grind them down in the end.

“I said to the boys at half time that it might take until the 24 minute mark of the last quarter and I think it was the 22 minute mark of the last quarter when we started to feel comfortable. It was a real arm wrestle the whole game.”

Ryley Sanders.

Levi Ashcroft.

Harding said he could have named 10 players in the best, such was the spread of contributors.

Top ager Miles Enders made his presence felt with a couple of goals.

Cooper Lord, who only started training with the Dragons after Christmas, impressed with his work rate.

“He’s a great story, he came in as a recommendation really late and made his debut round one,” Harding said.

“We thought he did a great job defensively around the ground…he did a lot of the dirty work for us which we really love. He’s a great contested player.”

Ned Maginness, who has sprouted 27cm in the past 18 months, had some good moments and looked dangerous as a wing pushing forward.

First-gamer Murphy Reid was named the Dragons best after gathering 7 kicks and 16 handballs rotating between the midfield, wing and half forward.

“Murph’s a bottom ager so he’s got a long time still before he hits his first draft opportunity,” Harding said.

“He just impressed us so much throughout our match play stuff, he’s just got better and better each time we play. He’s so calm and composed in traffic and just finds his way out really well.”

Will Brown was outstanding; he was able to push forward, and had 10 inside fifties.

Ryley Sanders led Sandringham’s disposal count with 28, capping an excellent game with a goal.

“He found a ton of it, was great around the contest and released his teammates into space,” Harding said of Sanders.

Levi Ashcroft was outstanding, kicking two clutch goals, one late in the second and the other early in the last as the Dragons surged home.

Billy McGee Galimberti impressed at half back.

“He’s a really nice kick but what we really loved was some of his defensive efforts, to get a spoil in against bigger opponents and then follow up and lay a tackle after it, and when he gets his hands on the ball he uses it well,” Harding said.

Lachie Voss rolled his ankle in the third quarter and sat out the rest of the game.

Sandringham Dragons face Calder Cannons at Craigieburn on Saturday, and Harding said more players would be given an opportunity.

“We have to rotate guys around a little bit, we’ve got a responsibility to give opportunities to our private school kids while they’re available in this first four weeks so we’re going to have some changes each week,” he said.

“It’s not necessarily a reflection on our best 22 because we won’t pick our best 22 until we get to the end of the season. That’s just how it works for us.”

Sandringham Dragons 1.2, 5.5, 8.6, 12.13 (85)

Eastern Ranges 2.6, 4.7, 8.8, 10.11 (71)

Dragons goals: Levi Ashcroft 2, Miles Enders 2, Harvey Johnston 2, Calsher Dear, Taj Hotton, Justin Krok, Ryley Sanders

Best: Murphy Reid, Levi Ashcroft, Ned Maginness, Harvey Johnston, cooper lord, Billy McGee Galimberti