NAB League 2019: Sandy Dragons grind out win over Gippsland Power

With a long list of players at the national Under 18 championships, Sandringham Dragons introduced three 17-year-olds to the NAB League.

Considering the numbers of players they had out, and taking into account Gippsland Power’s strong first half, Sandringham Dragons coach Josh Bourke thought Saturday’s win at Morwell was his team’s most satisfying this season.

The Dragons went 6-2 after toughing out a 10.8 (68) to 6.7 (43) victory in the Round 9 NAB League match.

On a day when the club played three 17-year-old first-gamers, Kyle Yorke took a star turn by kicking half of the Dragons’ goals.

“Probably our most pleasing game for the year, to be honest,’’ Bourke said.

“When you have a look at the players we had away (at the national Under 18 championships), and how we had players taking up different roles … we were thrilled.

“All three of the first-gamers (Toby Sheezel, Jacob Gray and Max Heath) kicked goals and a few players stood up when we needed them to.’’

They included son-of-guns Jackson Voss, who took a turn as an “inside’’ midfielder and Tyson Milne, who has hit a patch of form across half back, as well as reigning best and fairest Corey Watts, who did some ruck work late in the game.

Then there was the 193cm Yorke, out of Beaumaris juniors.

“He was exceptional,’’ Bourke said. “Kicked five and most of them were in the second half.’’

Wingman Lachie Lamble and onballer Blake O’Leary were also worthy contributors.

Heath is a ruckman, Gray a tall forward and Sheezel a slippery little left-footer.

“All 17-year-olds, so good for them to get a taste of it,’’ Bourke noted.

The Power led by two points at half time and Bourke thought they had been the better team.

But it was seven goals to three in the second half.

“We gave them instructions on some different methods of keeping the footy, and they were really good,’’ Bourke said. “Really took over in the third quarter and were good in the last as well.

“It was pleasing how some of the kids took on different roles. They had to be flexible but we think that’s one of our strengths.’’

Dragon Louis Butler gathers the ball during the Under 18 championships match on Saturday.

TYSON MILNE KICKING ON FOR DRAGONS

FOURTEEN DRAGONS IN U18 TRIALS

* If four more players had been selected, the Dragons could have had a starting 18 at this year’s national Under 18 championships.

The abundance of elite talent at the NAB League club was highlighted when 13 Dragons were chosen for the Vic Metro team and one for Vic Country.

Jack Mahony, Dragons skipper Ryan Byrnes, Louis Butler, Hugo Ralphsmith, Miles Bergman, Finn Maginess, Oscar Lewis, Fischer McAsey, Joshua Worrell, Corey Watts, Charlie Dean, Andrew Courtney and Jack Bell were tapped for Metro and Darcy Chirgwin for Country.

With a shred of luck Nick Bourke and Jackson Voss might have got in the Metro squad.

Bourke said the club was chuffed with the result.

“It’s an outstanding effort to have that number in both academies (Metro and Country),’’ he said.

“But there’s now an element of nervousness for the boys. You just hope they put their best foot forward. As a club we just hope they show what they’ve shown for us.’’

The carnival kicked off on Saturday the MCG with Vic Country defeating Metro.