NAB League 2019: Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson shine for Oakleigh Chargers
Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson served another reminder as to why they are the likely top-two picks in this year’s AFL draft after inspiring Oakleigh Chargers to a come-from-behind win over Sandringham Dragons.
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Likely top-two AFL draft picks Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson returned to the NAB League on Saturday.
So it was no surprise to see the star pair listed as Oakleigh Chargers’ two best players in a seven-point win over Sandringham Dragons at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
Rowell had 34 disposals, seven tackles and five inside 50s, while Anderson kicked three goals from 24 disposals with eight inside 50s.
Two of Anderson’s majors came in the last quarter when Oakleigh retrieved a 29-point deficit.
The two had to work through close attention from the opposition but proved to be the difference in the 14.7 (91) 13.6 (84) victory.
Oakleigh coach Leigh Clarke said the duo were a class above.
“They’re fantastic players and just the consistency with what they do as well is what stands out,” Clarke said.
“They’ve got a real maturity to the way they play.”
Clarke praised the pair for their ability to overcome tagging tactics.
“They had significant defensive role players on them, which was interesting coaching, but they just worked their way out of it,” he said.
“That’s their strength, that they don’t rely on anyone else and they cover it all themselves.
“Their ability to work harder than anyone else out there makes them almost unstoppable.
“They just see it as someone else to beat and someone who’s going to stand closer to them more often.
“It’s certainly no distraction for them. They’re probably going to get used to that kind of pressure when they get to AFL level so if we can help them a little bit now, hopefully that helps them next year.”
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Sandringham held an 11-point lead three-quarter time and extended its advantage to 29 points early in the final term.
But Oakleigh kicked the last six goals to score a come-from-behind victory.
Anderson gave the Chargers the lead at the 16-minute mark before draft bolter Cooper Sharman nailed the sealer moments later.
“Our boys basically showed some courage in what they wanted to do and that’s what we challenged them on at three-quarter time,” Clarke said.
“It wasn’t a day all on our terms but by the time they started taking the risks we asked them to, it was really impressive to watch the game turn so quickly.
“The belief they had in each other, they just kept chipping away.”
Oakleigh finished the home-and-away rounds with an 11-4 record and will play Gippsland Power in the first week of finals.
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