NAB League 2019: Angus Hanrahan dominates with 35 disposals for Sandringham Dragons

In his first appearance in the NAB League since Round 10, the Dragons 19-year-old player was best-afield against the Dandenong Stingrays at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

For various reasons, including a VFL debut for Sandringham as the 23rd player, Angus Hanrahan had been missing from the Sandringham Dragons team.

He returned to NAB League ranks on Sunday.

And he dominated, in a performance that Dragons coach Josh Bourke suggested should serve as a reminder of Hanrahan’s ability.

The 19-year-old had 35 possessions, 14 marks and kicked one goal as the Dragons hit back after three consecutive losses to defeat the Dandenong Stingrays 10.9 (69) to 9.8 (62) at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

“Hopefully that did something for his draft stuff. He was immense,’’ Bourke declared this morning.

“He’s one of the most clever players with the ball that I’ve coached.

“His ability to use it is first-class. He’s had 35 and had 26 kicks, and when he has 26 kicks you keep them.

“His ball use is elite. That’s his strength. It’s pretty special. When he gets the footy he makes the opposition pay.

“He’s very good around goals too. That’s the next part to him. He’s classy. We would hope there’s enough there for him to get on a list (Hanrahan’s brother Oliver made his AFL debut for Hawthorn three weeks ago).’’

Dragon Angus Hanrahan recentl;y made his VFL debut for Sandringham.

After a relatively even first half the Dragons pulled away from the Stingrays with four goals to one in the third quarter and held their lead in the final terms despite failing to score.

Bourke noted some of the talent in the Stingrays team and said it was a meritorious win for the Dragons.

“We got them on the outside a bit,’’ he said.

“They did a really good job of trying to take that away from us in the first half but in the third quarter we had a higher number of uncontested possessions and got on top on the outside.

“That was really pleasing because, with what they had in, players like Hayden Young, we viewed it as a big test.’’

FISCHER MCASEY'S ALL AUSTRALIAN HONOUR

SONS OF GUNS STAR FOR DRAGONS

All Australian Under 18 centre half back Fischer McAsey underscored his versatility by going forward to kick three goals, and captain Ryan Byrnes (24 possessions and seven tackles) continued his consistent season.

“He does the job week in, week out,’’ Bourke noted of his skipper.

“We couldn’t rate him highly enough.’’

The Dragons called up Cameron Blitsas from Cheltenham’s senior team and he had eight touches.

Ryan Pietsch (Caulfield Grammar) also made his NAB League debut.

Meanwhile, four players attached to the Dragons’ Under 16 program won All Australian honours after the national championships.

Josh Sinn (captain), Angus McLennan, Blake Howes, Lachie Benton, Lachie Brooks, Dante Visentini and Caleb Lewis represented the Vic Metro team, which won the carnival for the first time in 11 years.

Campbell Chesser turned out for Vic Country and was also elected skipper.

Sinn, Chesser, Brooks and Howes were chosen in the All Australian team, signalling there is top-end talent coming through the bayside region.