VFL 2020: String of Sandringham Dragons graduates joins Frankston
The Dolphins have signed six former Dragons and are likely to contract two more as they tap the talent of the leading NAB League club. Coach Danny Ryan shares his thoughts on the newcomers.
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Frankston has no official alignment with the Sandringham Dragons, but the Dolphins have tapped a lot talent from the NAB League club ahead of the 2020 VFL season.
As they get closer to finalising their list, the Dolphins have locked in six former Dragons and are likely to contract two more.
Jackson Voss, the son of former Brisbane and St Kilda defender Brett, has headed to SkyBus Stadium after earlier training with North Melbourne’s VFL squad.
Highly regarded by Dragons talent manager Mark Wheeler, Voss played 18 matches for the Dragons last year, was named in the best eight times and was fifth in the best and fairest.
He will almost certainly receive a contract and join Angus Hanrahan, Joe Lloyd, Billy MacKay, Will Kennedy, Blake O’Leary and Harry Loughnan as former Sandringham Dragons in joining the Dolphins.
Jai Florent is also a good chance to make the cut.
After last season Florent trained with the Sydney Swans alongside his brother Ollie. He played four games last year with the Dragons, who made it to the preliminary finals of the Under 18 competition.
Their best and fairest runner-up Hanrahan is seen as the most accomplished of the newcomers.
He made his VFL debut last year as a 19-year-old for Box Hill Hawks and is noted for his kicking and running ability.
O’Leary, part of the St Bede’s College’s Herald Sun Shield-winning team, was a regular Dragon last year, playing 16 games.
Loughnan had 13 matches, Lloyd 12 and Mackay 11.
Mackay was also named among the best in the Sandringham team’s loss to eventual premier Oakleigh.
Kennedy was with the Dragons in 2017-18, but spent 2019 as a 19-year-old with the Western Jets as a ruckman-forward, winning the best and fairest. He also made VFL appearances with Frankston as the 23rd player.
Speedy Jeremy Burton, who was a Dandenong Stingray in 2018-19 but had hamstring problems, is also training at Frankston.
Former Stingrays big man Bailey Schmidt is another at the Dolphins but is recovering from shoulder surgery.
Frankston coach Danny Ryan said the club was pleased to gain the NAB League graduates.
“Very happy. It’s a ripping bunch of really talented kids, great character among them all,’’ he said.
“They’ve come out of a really successful program and they’re looking for an opportunity to showcase their wares and help us get some wins. That’s what we’ll give them.’’
Frankston has signed 34 players ahead of a camp to Lorne this weekend.
DANNY RYAN ON THE NAB LEAGUE NEWCOMERS
Billy Mackay: “Already has a man’s body. Good endurance runner, left-footer, neat, has an appetite for the contest. He likes to run and break lines. I’ve known him since he was about 12 and he’s a ripping kid, hungry and determined. He’ll turn into a pretty good VFL player.’’
Will Kennedy: “Played two games with us last year when he was at the Western Jets. He won their best and fairest as a ruck/forward, but we see him more as a defender. Needs to put on a bit of size but he’s got a lot of ability. Likes to mark the ball and can run with it. Williamstown was really keen to have him, so we’re rapt he came to us.’’
Joe Lloyd: “I call him big Clive and no one has any idea what I’m talking about! He’s a solid citizen and a coachable, down-to-earth kid. Doesn’t say much, young Joe, but he asks the right questions at the right time. He’s a tallish lock-down defender with real closing speed. You think he’s out of the contest and then he arrives and either marks the ball or spoils. Has hardly missed a session. Trains really hard and walks out with a smile on his face.’’
Angus Hanrahan: “Brother of Ollie and in all honesty we thought he was going to Box Hill. He came and trained with us and then said he was keen to stay. Great news for us. He’s an elite runner, he understands the game, he can really play. He was probably one of those players who was a bit stiff not to get drafted. He’ll play in our best 22, I would think, and be a player for the AFL recruiters to look at it.’’
Harry Loughnan: “He was a soccer player and came to footy only a couple of years ago. He didn’t play early at the Dragons last year but he did play late and that was a good sign for him. He’s also an absolute elite runner and a line-breaker with a reasonably neat kick. Has a little bit to work on with his decision-making, but that’s no real surprise given he hasn’t played a lot. He’s come here to develop himself. He’s been impressive.’’
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Blake O’Leary: “A little hard nut out of Mordialloc-Braeside. He likes the gym, he likes to do a bit of work and shows off the cannons. He’s a speedy, tackling small forward and when I say small he’s almost 6’0. Neatly skilled and has a good little sidestep. He had a thumb injury and missed a bit of training but he’s tracking nicely. He’ll play games as a 19-year-old and there’s no reason he couldn’t establish himself in the team.’’
Jackson Voss: “Tough player, in the mould of his dad. He’s only been with us a week and a bit. Hasn’t put a foot wrong so far and we’ll be pretty keen to sign him in the next week or two. He’s a reliable, hard-at-it left-footer, a competitor, and ready to go for VFL footy. Pretty confident he can step in and play a role for us.’’
Jai Florent: “Spent four weeks training with Sydney in November/December and came back running on top of the ground. Jai’s got elite speed and swerve and curve, I suppose you could day. He changes angles and he can spin on a dime. He’s a reasonably skinny kid, a little bit taller than Ollie and maybe a bit quicker, and out in space he can certainly do some damage. We’re pretty confident he can have an impact.’’