Sunny Brazier, Lachie Potter, Sam Philp impress as Northern Knights claim third straight NAB League win

Northern Knights overager Sunny Brazier pressed his claims for the AFL mid-season draft while several young guns fired as Northern Knights claimed a third straight NAB League win on Sunday.

Sunny Brazier in action for Northern Knights.

Northern Knights overager Sunny Brazier pressed his claims for the AFL mid-season draft with a three-goal performance on Sunday.

After missing out at the draft last year, Brazier is eligible to be taken in the May 27 draft and after a quiet first half, stepped up to help guide the Knights to a 32-point win over Greater Western Victoria Rebels.

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Brazier trained with VFL outfit Northern Blues over the pre-season before returning to the NAB League club as a 19-year-old and has shown impressive consistency.

The 190cm midfielder-forward collected 19 disposals, seven tackles and kicked 3.3 against the Rebels to average 19 disposals and seven tackles with seven goals in five games.

“He’d be first to admit his first half wasn’t what he hoped for but his ability to turn it around — three goals and 19 disposals — was a good sign,” Knights coach Justin Wenke said.

Sunny Brazier in action for Northern Knights earlier this year.

“He’s got some work to do but if he keeps producing games like that it puts him on the radar.”

The Knights started slowly but fired in the third quarter, kicking four goals to one to take a 13-point lead into the final break.

The Rebels closed to within a point with the first two goals but the Knights steadied before piling on the final five goals of the game.

Vic Metro hopefuls Ryan Sturgess, Nik Cox, Lachie Potter, Josh D’Intinosante and Ryan Gardner all impressed in the 14.10 (94) to 9.8 (62) win.

Potter finished with 16 disposals and a goal but his run and carry off half-back was the standout while Sturgess was the leading ball-winner with 26 touches and a goal.

Lachlan Potter in action for Northern Knights. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sam Philp also impressed with 19 disposals, five marks, three tackles and two goals as he split his time between midfield and attack.

“It was a challenge for Lachie (Potter) because he was probably the most dynamic player on the ground and they put a defensive forward on him and tried to drag him back to the goal square,” Wenke said.

“Sam had a bit of a different role. He’s one of our best midfielders but he played predominantly forward and hit the scoreboard, tackled and chased.”

The Knights will look for four straight wins when they face Oakleigh Chargers at Shepley Oval in Dandenong in a double-header with the Knights’ NAB League Girls preliminary final against Eastern Ranges.

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