NAB League 2019: Sandringham Dragons flash home to defeat Geelong Falcons

Jake Bowey, the son of former Saint Brett, was named best as the Sandringham Dragons caught Geelong Falcons in the last minute of their NAB League clash.

Jake Bowey was named the Dragons’ best player in their come-from-behind win over Geelong Falcons.

THEY had most of their team playing for Vic Metro at the Under 18 championships.

They’d kicked one goal to half time and trailed by 26 points.

They finished with less goals than their opponents.

And yet the Sandringham Dragons found a way to defeat Geelong Falcons in the Round 10 NAB League match at MARS Stadium on Saturday, with a scoreline of 7.18 (60) to 8.10 (58).

It was a tough loss for the Falcons. They’d led all day and a goal from Charlie Sprague early in the final quarter took their advantage to 23 points.

The Dragons dragged them back with goals from Jai Florent, Jackson Voss (a cracker) and Kyle Yorke.

From there they did it in points, going from 7.11 to 7.18.

They hit the front through an Archie Perkins behind in the 23rd minute, his shot on the run from 50m just wide.

Coach Josh Bourke said it was a frustrating but ultimately rewarding day for his team.

“We’ve tried to explain to our group that sides will set up to take things away from us,’’ he said.

“That’s what happens when you’re going OK and you’ve got a pretty good list. Opposition sides are going to spend time trying to combat you, and Geelong did a really good job of it. I actually sent a text to Luke Daffy (Falcons coach) on Saturday night saying how impressive they were with the number of 17-year-olds they had and their attack on the footy. Geelong were really, really good.

“So three weeks in a row, Bendigo, Gippsland and Geelong, it’s taken us a while to adjust to how we’ve got to play the game when we can’t click in to top gear.

“But obviously we’re really pleased with the response and the way our boys came out in the last quarter.’’

The Dragons dominated the final term with 13 scoring shots to two, individual efforts from Voss and Perkins a highlight.

“He’s exciting as a 17-year-old,’’ Bourke said of Perkins.

“He didn’t come into the program as highly rated as some of the other 17-year-olds but he’s got enormous upside.

TYSON MILNE IN THE BEST FOR DRAGONS

FOURTEEN DRAGONS IN NATIONALS TRIALS

STAR TURN FOR KYLE YORKE

Bottom-age player Jake Bowey was named best.

“Just for a couple of big contests and his composure with the footy was pretty good,’’ Bourke said of the son of former St Kilda rover Brett Bowey.

“His numbers weren’t amazing but he was still pretty good.’’

Angus Hanrahan, showing his skills to set up play from half back, and ruckman Andrew Courtney were also influential.

The Dragons had another two NAB League newcomers, defender Liam Hall and big man Oliver Lord.