NAB League 2019: Sandringham Dragons Darcy Chirgwin makes rousing return

Darcy Chirgwin dazzled in his comeback from injury on a day when the Dragons introduced seven more players to the NAB League and gave the coaching reins to Jackson Kornberg.

Darcy Chirgwin had 32 possessions and 16 tackles in his return to the Sandringham Dragons team.

IT was Darcy Chirgwin’s first game for the Sandringham Dragons this year.

You wouldn’t have known it. He showed mid-season form, collecting 32 possessions and having 16 tackles against Eastern Ranges at the Box Hill City Oval on Sunday.

Chirgwin broke his leg before the season but, such is his talent, as he recovered he was named in the Vic Country squad for the national championships.

“Absolutely thrilled with Darcy,’’ Dragons coach Josh Bourke fizzed.

“He showed why he’s an Academy player and I think he’ll be right in the mix for Country this week.

“We’ve got our fingers for him.

“First game at NAB League level in pretty much a year and he had 32 possessions and was really important for us. Looked a class above at times.’’

The Dragons lost to Eastern 8.8 (56) to 5.8 (38).

Chirgwin came into the team alongside seven newcomers as part of the NAB League Futures round: Lachlan Carrigan, Chris Long, Nick Grech, Liam Hayes, Brodie Tonkin, Joseph Nowell and Josh Miller.

Bourke is certainly getting a good look at his squad: more than 60 players have represented the Dragons this season.

The coach likes the concept of Futures Round.

“You’re looking for something from the kids, and we certainly got that,’’ he said.

“Lachie Carrigan (from Hampton Rovers Under 19s and the youngest player on the list) had really promising moments. He didn’t really feature on the statistics but you looked at him and thought, ‘Yeah, this kid’s at the level’.

“Toby Sheezel played his second game and we moved him down back as a bit of a break-the-glass-in-case-of-an-emergency type of move, and he was exceptional. So we could be pleased with some of our 17-year-olds.

“That makes it (Futures Round) worthwhile but the only thing I find interesting is that … maybe we not play for points. And that’s got nothing to do with us losing. I just think it’s clearly a different competition. But for a good reason. I sit there and wonder if it wasn’t for points, would it encourage you to blood some 16-year-olds and give them earlier exposure to the level?’’

Emerging coach Jackson Kornberg coached the Dragons on Sunday.

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As part of the round Bourke handed the coaching reins over to Jackson Kornberg, who is in charge of the Dragons’ Under 16 team this year.

Bourke said it was recognition that Kornberg was “hopefully next in line to take a NAB League job in the near future’’.

“He’s a wonderful educational coach. He really gets the game,’’ Bourke said. “We were certainly well served with him in the box.’’

Eastern Ranges 2.2, 4.4, 7.6, 8.8 (56)

Sandringham Dragons 1.2, 3.5, 5.6, 5.8 (38)

Dragons goals: J. Bell, J. Goddard, J. Miller, E. Soylemez, J. Mifsud.

Best: D. Chirgwin, T. Sheezel, G. Grey, J. Lloyd, J. Mifsud, J. Voss