NAB League Boys: Sandy Dragons coach Jackson Kornberg boosts Charlie McKay, Lachie Benton

Dragons coach Jackson Kornberg says AFL clubs should be taking a look at Charlie McKay, the son of former Carlton star Andrew.

Charlie McKay on the charge for the Sandy Dragons. Pic: Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos

Charlie McKay should have AFL clubs looking him up.

Lachie Benton should be in the Vic Metro squad.

And Mitch Owens should be considered one of the big improvers of the NAB League Boys competition this year.

The calls came from Sandringham Dragons Jackson Kornberg after his team resumed the NAB League Boys competition with a four-goal win over the Greater Western Victoria Rebels last Sunday.

It reaffirmed their standing at the top of the ladder, a game clear of the Rebels.

McKay, the son of former Carlton defender Andrew and a 19-year-old player with the Dragons, was named in the best, as he has been often this season.

Charlie McKay has been in spanking form for the Dragons.

He had 20 possessions, after tallies of 26 against Calder Cannons, 24 against Tassie Devils and 30 against the Chargers; the Covid break made no interruption to the 19-year-old’s snappy form.

“His performances in the last three games … just really, really good … with his competitiveness and his leadership, and his aggression around the footy is the best we’ve had at the club this year, ’’ Kornberg said.

“If clubs aren’t looking at him, they should be, put it that way. You could do far worse than pick someone like Charlie McKay.’’

McKay has played at half back and as an inside midfielder.

Kornberg said the right-footer presented a “dual threat, as a solid inside mid who is also good in the air’’.

“He’s a contested-ball beast inside for us, and he this tackling pressure, an ability to win the ball, his stoppage work … and to his credit he’s really improved his kicking, which has probably been his knock. On the weekend he was a lot more efficient with the ball, starting to be more composed and take the easy option. That’s the area he’s been working really hard on.’’

The Dragons are keen for McKay to play in the VFL in the next week or two.

Dingley product Benton had 26 possessions against the Rebels.

As Kornberg sees it, he’s on the cusp of the Vic Metro squad but it’s time he was added to it.

Last Sunday he produced his best performance for the season.

“He showed off his run and carry and ability to impact in the front half,’’ Kornberg said.

“I’d certainly be saying to the Vic Metro selectors to keep an eye on him because, on form, he’s well and truly deserving.’’

As for Owens, he had 25 disposals, continuing his rise this season.

Last month he was a late call-up to the Vic Metro team, and was among the best players on the ground.

Mitch Owens marks for the Dragons.

The brother of Frankston VFL forward Kai and a member of the St Kilda Next Generation Academy, Owens had been cut from the Dragons’ Under 16 squad.

Kornberg was coaching the Under 16s at the time.

“He was a smaller player, he had a heap of stuff to work on and probably wasn’t ready,’’ he said.

“We released him at the end of Under 16s, but it was in the back of our heads we could potentially bring him back as an 18-year-old.

“Obviously Covid hit and he didn’t get to play. But he’s grown a heap, he’s put on a heap of size and he’s been one of our most improved players. He’s gone from not making the pre-season as a 17-year-old to coming back as an 18-year-old, performing in intra-clubs, playing in Round 1 and playing nationals against Country and having 29 touches and a breakout game. He’s been outstanding this year. He’s a ripper story.’’

Contested marking is a strength of Owens, who had been on the wing but against the Rebels went into the midfield, where he also plays for Mentone Grammar.

The Dragons gave a NAB League debut to Kye Turner, yet another young talent to come out of Beaumaris.

A 19-year-old player, he’s had his injury problems and struggled to string together games, but he’s enjoyed a better run at it this year and performed well.

Turner has a soccer background.

“He’s got really good speed as a taller player (194cm),’’ Kornberg noted.