NAB League: Sandringham Dragons flatten Geelong Falcons in wildcard round

The Dragons romped it in by 103 points as captain Ryan Byrnes, Darcy Chirgwin, Louis Butler, Angus Hanrahan, Harry Loughnan and Finn Maginess all went past 20 possessions.

Dragons captain Ryan Byrnes bursts out of a stoppage against the Falcons.

It was the NAB League’s wildcard round, but there was nothing unpredictable about the Sandringham Dragons and Geelong Falcons match at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

The Dragons bolted home 20.6 (126) to 3.5 (23), as could be expected from a side that finished fourth on the ladder meeting the 13th-placed team.

An eight-goal second quarter sent them well in front, and they stayed there.

There were 12 goalkickers, with midfielder Miles Bergman topping the list with four.

Captain Ryan Byrnes (28), Darcy Chirgwin (27), Louis Butler (21), Angus Hanrahan (29), Harry Loughnan (25) and Finn Maginess (26) all had more than 20 possessions.

Perhaps coach Josh Bourke’s toughest task of the day was compressing his list of best players into a top six for the records.

Dragon George Grey gets away a handball.

He came up with Chirgwin, Jack Bell, Charlie Dean, Loughnan, Bergman and Butler.

Bell dominated the ruck, playing his best game for the season.

“Yeah, it was extremely difficult. That’s always a nice feeling when you’re sitting there as a match committee after the game and you’re having trouble working out who to put in because you had so many good players,’’ Bourke said.

“Our gut feel going into it was our inside mids would probably be a bit too big and strong for the Falcons boys, and that’s how it played out.

“We put it on our bigger bodies because they probably got beaten last week, particularly in the last quarter. We were really pleased with the response we got.’’

Although the Dragons were heavy favourites, Bourke was taking nothing granted.

“There was an element of nervousness in the coaching box but clearly the players weren’t as nervous as we were,’’ he said.

“Just because you never know. You could meet someone who on their day absolutely clicks into gear. The wind made the conditions interesting with it going to one end. But ultimately we could sit there and say it was a great preparation for next week.’’

Corey Watts takes a clearing kick for Sandringham Dragons during the NAB League wildcard round.

Bourke said Bergman, who had 18 possessions, was outstanding — and exciting.

“He was very influential,’’ he said.

“He’s a very, very exciting prospect. We sit there in the coaching box … just some of the things he can do. He’s an absolute freak of an athlete, and then he’s got this power. When he gets into an AFL system … he’s got immense upside. His national and post-national stuff has been terrific. He’s quick, he’s 6’2, he can jump, he can take a mark, he kicks it extremely well.’’

The coach also gave some lift-off to the tall and strong Dean, who played at both ends and kicked two goals.

“Took contested marks, did it down back, did it up front, passed off four shots at goal to teammates in better positions … very smart and selfless footballer, Charlie Dean.’’

The victory gave the Dragons a double chance for the finals, and they’ll meet minor premier Eastern in the first week.

FISCHER McASEY'S ALL AUSTRALIAN HONOUR

LIFT-OFF FOR ANGUS HANRAHAN

EIGHTEEN DRAGONS OFF TO STATE COMBINES

DARCY CHIRGWIN UP AND RUNNING

Sandringham Dragons 3.0, 11.4, 14.4, 20.6 (126)

Geelong Falcons 1.1, 1.2, 2.4, 3.5 (23)

Sandringham Dragons goals: M. Bergman 4, B. O’Leary 2, H. Ralphsmith 2, F. McAsey 2, C. Dean 2, J. Bell 2, R. Byrnes, H. Loughnan, K. Yorke, D. Chirgwin, F. Maginness, A. Perkins

Best: D. Chirgwin, J. Bell, C. Dean, H. Loughnan, M. Bergman, L. Butler

Geelong Falcons goals: A. Hildebrandt 2, T. Bruhn

Best: C. Fleeton, T. Bruhn, C. Lazzaro, A. Hildebrandt, G. Bove, J. Clark