Josh D’Intinosante impresses but Northern Knights suffer NAB League loss to Sandringham Dragons
Northern Knights youngster Josh D’Intinosante continues to build his AFL Draft case after another impressive showing despite the Knights going down to Sandringham Dragons.
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Northern Knights young gun Josh D’Intinosante continues to build his case for a spot in the AFL ranks.
After starring as a midfielder and winning the Knights’ best-and-fairest as a 17-year-old last year, D’Intinosante is now impressing as a small forward.
The West Preston junior kicked 1.4 as the Knights went down to Sandringham Dragons by 43 points, 12.10 (82) to 5.9 (39), on Sunday but hit the post twice and dished another two off.
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Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen said D’Intinosante was embracing the move forward.
“We’ve decided to take him out of our midfield and play him purely as a small forward to try and show off some of his AFL qualities,” he said.
“His defensive efforts in the forward half were exceptional and his ability to lock the ball in — to tackle, to chase and put pressure on the ball carrier — was outstanding.”
The Knights matched the Dragons in the first quarter but lost momentum as the home side powered to a convincing victory.
Gieschen was pleased with his team’s response in the final quarter but inaccuracy in front of goal was costly.
“They just got away from us a bit in the second and third quarters, but to our credit we fought that game out in the last. The aim was to win the quarter and we had five scoring shots to four,” he said.
“We were somewhat pleased but it shows we’ve got a fair way to go to match it with the top sides.”
Charlie Simonsen kicked two goals while Reagan Uwandu, Ryan Sturgess, Jackson Davies, Adam Carafa and Nick Cox also impressed.
“Regan Uwandu made his debut last week. As a bottom-age key back he won the ball in the air and was really good at ground level,” Gieschen said.
“Charlie Simonsen has played predominantly as a forward for us but we actually put him on the ball today.”
The Knights will chase their first win of the season against Eastern Ranges on Saturday.
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