NAB League Girls: five Sandy Dragons selected in Vic Metro squad for national titles

The Sandringham NAB League Girls team finished the season with a win over finalist Eastern and five players named in the Vic Metro squad.

Sanndringham Dragons players and support staff before their last match

THE Sandringham Dragons NAB League Girls team began the season inauspiciously, but ended it strongly and with players tapped for higher honours.

The Dragons finished with three wins and six losses, in the final round upending finalist Eastern Ranges by four points.

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They also scalped fifth-placed Oakleigh Chargers.

Dragons female talent co-ordinator Jess Lewis said the girls competed well, improved and could be satisfied with their year.

“Each goal is so valuable in these games and we were only ever a couple of kicks out of games,’’ Lewis said.

“In a lot of them we actually had more scoring shots, more inside 50s. We just couldn’t get the score on the board.

“But we were pleased with how they were tracking from the development and improvement sense.

“There were a lot of improvements to come out of the season and we have quite a strong bottom-age group. It’s going to be exciting to see what they can do next year as top-agers.’’

Margie Purcell on the run for Sandringham Dragons.

Lewis said the Dragons were fortunate to have a strong leader in Molly Denahy Maloney, whom she described as “encouraging, empathetic and dedicated … always led by example and the girls looked up to her’’.

Denahy Maloney has linked with the Southern Saints VFL team.

She was supported by fellow leaders Sophia Rothfield, Gemma Strangio and Alice Burke, the daughter of former St Kilda champion Nathan Burke.

Burke was among the Dragons’ most consistent performers this year and is eligible for the NAB League Girls again next season.

For Bella Eddey, Burke, Margie Purcell, Sarah Hartwig and Denahy Maloney, recognition came when they were included in the Vic Metro squad for the Under 18 women’s championships.

The titles will begin for the Vic Country and Metro teams on Saturday, June 22 at Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee.

They will then travel to the Gold Coast for games from July 8-12 against Queensland, WA and the Eastern Allies (NSW/Tasmania).

Nathan Burke will coach the Vic Metro team.

Lewis said ruck Celia Cody, a newcomer to the Dragons’ squad this year, Bryanna Arnold and Taylah Grasso deserved to be in the discussion for the Vic Metro squad.

She said Cody was strong, fit and had a great vertical leap.

Arnold played in the centre, showed formidable courage and had “footy smarts and skills to go with it’’, Lewis said.

She said Grasso, who also did some ruck work, was a versatile and improving player.

“She goes about it in her own way and without any fuss.’’