NAB League 2019: Sandringham Dragons suffer third consecutive loss

The performance of bottom-age player Lachlan Carrigan was a bright spot for the Dragons in their loss to the Western Jets.

Don’t argue: Dragin Finn Maginness pushes off Jet Cody Raak.

If the chemistry is right …

But it’s not quite there for the Sandringham Dragons, coach Josh Bourke says.

Again going in with a lot of changes, but looking stronger for the inclusion of a few of their Vic Metro representatives, the Dragons fell to NAB League surprise package Western Jets at Point Gellibrand on Saturday, 12.7 (79) to 10.10 (70).

Thirty-four points down at three-quarter time, the Dragons finished strongly but couldn’t catch the home team.

“We’re not playing well, simple as that,’’ Bourke said.

“I think one of the challenges for us — and this is certainly not an excuse, just the reality — is that we’re having to make a lot of changes.

“I think we had 12 or 13 on Saturday, and if you average it out it’s something like 10 a week for the past six or seven weeks, and we’re finding chemistry a bit difficult.

“With a few things going on you could see there was a lack of chemistry on Saturday. We haven’t moved the footy anywhere near as well as we did at the start of the season.

“Western were really good but we were disappointed with what we dished up. We’ve got to be better.’’

Dragons bottom-ager Lachlan Carrigan.

Bourke held up the performance of lightly built second-gamer Lachlan Carrigan as “the big shining light’’ of the match.

The bottom-ager (the youngest player on the list this season) from Hampton Rovers played on the wing.

“His kicking skills and some of the stuff he did was pretty special,’’ Bourke said. “He’s got promise. He’s a very good kick of the footy and a good runner.’’

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Vic Metro player Hugo Ralpshsmith kicked two goals and had 18 possessions on a wing, Jackson Voss extended his patch of form, and Finn Maginness (24 touches), skipper Ryan Byrnes (28) and Louis Butler (23) had the ball often without having major bearings on the game.

“We didn’t have too many winners,’’ Bourke said.

“Byrnes and Maginness were honest, Voss was very good in terms of playing his role and trying to stem the flow … but we didn’t have many on the boat, to be honest.’’

Dragons captain Ryan Byrnes accelerates from heavy traffic.

Metro player Josh Worrell hurt his shoulder but Bourke said he believed it was a minor injury.

Fellow Under 18 nationals participants Fischer McAsey, Jack Mahony and Miles Bergman were rested.

Key defender McAsey has had a remarkably consistent season and was rewarded with All Australian selection.

“He was outstanding all the way through,’’ Bourke said. “I don’t think he’s played a poor game all year.’’

Bourke suspected that Mahony, who finished the carnival strongly, and Bergman went close to All Australian honours.

The Dragons, fifth on the ladder with seven wins and five losses, have a bye this weekend then play Bourke’s former club Dandenong Stingrays.