NAB League: Seven newcomers in Sandy Dragons team

Half forward Harry Sheezel and ruckman Felix Flockart were among a string of debutants for the NAB League club.

Charlie McKay (left) fights it out for Sandringham Dragons. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Felix Flockart made his debut for the Sandringham Dragons on Saturday.

Finally.

The big fellow has been kicking around the NAB League Boys scene for a while, having come to the attention of the Dragons through his football for Brighton Grammar.

He entered the program late in 2019 and was listed as a 19-year-old player for the 2020 season that never got going.

With the competition changing to Under 19s this year, Flockart returned as a player who turns 20 this year (in November).

The 202cm ruckman was one of seven players to play his first game last Saturday, against Western Jets at the Trevor Barker Oval.

It was a tough initiation: he came up against Paul Tsapatolis, who is on Geelong’s AFL list and was given permission to turn out for the Jets.

“It was a 12 to 24-month process for his debut,’’ Dragons coach Jackson Kornberg said of

Flockart, who trained at Sandringham Zebras in the pre-season and played in the Young Guns game two weeks ago.

Dragons newcomer Lewis Castle claims Western Jet Paul Curtis.

“The NAB League is a very quick game and Felix was playing on a very good opponent, a big, solid boy who jumps early and takes his lane, and it was a good learning for him. I think he adapted pretty well, and he also set up one or two of his goals when he went forward and we put Dante (Visentini) into the ruck.

“It’s going to be good for him to get a couple of games under his belt and see what the level is.’’

The Dragons also handed debuts to Under 17 players Ben Hemple and Harry Sheezel – Under 17 coaches Nick Moodie and Mark Cooke presented them with their strips – Ben Mansfield, Jack Forer, Lewis Castle and Nick Salmon.

Sheezel’s appearance was anticipated given his performance for Vic Metro at the Under 17 trials. He also played three matches for Ajax in the VAFA Premier B section, kicking four goals in the first.

“He’s in some form, Harry, and his opportunity was well deserved,’’ Kornberg said.

“We were always looking forward to giving it to him.’’

Hempel was named in the best.

Castle was rewarded for his diligent efforts with Owen Lalor’s Parkdale Vultures in the VAFA.

As the competition returned from a break, the Dragons selectors made 12 changes to the Round 3 team owing to a combination of school football, injuries and VFL call-ups.

The Jets booted eight goals in the third quarter to set up an 11.12 (78) to 9.9 (63) win.

It was the Dragons’ first loss for the season but Kornberg was unperturbed, noting it was Round 4.

“There are certainly some things we need to improve on but it’s early in the season, not a preliminary final or the last round,’’ he said.

Dragons coach Jackson Kornberg at the huddle.

Left-footer Finn Callaghan had more than 30 possessions and was the Dragons’ best, continuing his rise this season.

One recruiter on Saturday called him the Dragons’ best player and a top-five draft pick.

Blake Howes, roaming a wing, had 16 touches and kicked two goals, and Charlie McKay, courageous from head to toe, collected 37 disposals and laid 11 tackles.

“When players are tackled by Charlie McKay, they know they‘ve been tackled,’’ Kornberg noted.

Classy left-footer Erin Soylemez kicked three goals as he makes his mark as a small forward.