NAB League wildcard livestream: Sandringham Dragons take on Murray Bushrangers

Sandringham Dragons have marched into the NAB League finals series after edging out an undermanned Murray Bushrangers in a tight wildcard contest. Relive the action from our LIVESTREAM.

Sandringham Dragons have marched into the NAB League finals series after edging out an undermanned Murray Bushrangers in a tight wildcard contest.

The 10-point victory - 77-67 - sees the Dragons enter the final eight where they will play either one of the top three - Dandenong, Gippsland and Tasmania - or another wildcard winner.

The Bushrangers kicked out to an early lead but the Dragons hit back to lead by one-point at quarter-time. They extended it out to seven points at halftime and seemingly had the game in their keeping at three-quarter time.

But the Bushrangers hit back and got to within nine-points at one stage before the Dragons settled to get home.

PREVIEW: Bushrangers determined to make their mark

The Murray Bushrangers have seen the highs and lows footy has to offer in 2022.

From a “really poor” opening round loss to season-shaping results, the Bushrangers have been an interesting watch for NAB League onlookers throughout the season.

They now face Sandringham Dragons, who finished eighth at Williamstown Oval on Saturday,

for a place in the competition’s last eight. The game will be livestreamed EXCLUSIVELY by KommunityTV from 2pm.

Noah Bradshaw has been in great form of late. Photo: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

Given the unique nature of the competition’s wildcard round, Mark Brown’s side are still alive and could win the premiership despite finishing ninth on the ladder.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides this year.

“It’s been an interesting season, that’s for sure,” Brown said.

“We started off with a really poor loss in round one then got better and won a few games along the way. When the season became disjointed with byes and the national championships, we were a little unlucky because we lost four games by under a kick.

“This weekend will be the first time we’ve played back-to-back games in about six weeks. Sandy obviously has some really top end talent so it will be a good chance to see how we stack up.

“It will be a really good challenge for our group.”

Noah Bradshaw, the son of two-time AFL premiership forward Daniel, looms as one of the keys for the Bushrangers this weekend.

Brown described the midfielder as a “standout” 19-year-old of the competition.

This season he has averaged 25.5 disposals across 11 games this year.

“He obviously comes from some terrific pedigree,” Brown said.

“He started to get a few more VFL opportunities in the back half of the year which was a real reward for the form he had shown with us. He’s a tough inside midfielder who loves the contest.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back in our side this weekend.

“His younger brother, Will, has played a couple of games this year as well.”

The Bushrangers were bolstered by the return of key forward Brayden George in the final round of the home-and-away season where they went down by four points against the Bendigo Pioneers.

Oliver Hollands is another player to keep an eye on.

George played about “50 per cent” game time in his first match back following a 10-week lay off with a knee injury.

“He gives us a real point of difference,” Brown said.

Oliver Hollands, the brother of Gold Coast Suns rising star Elijah, is also a player to keep an eye on for the Bushrangers.

Due to school footy commitments with Geelong Grammar, Hollands has been limited to just four NAB League games this year.

Last week against the Pioneers he finished with 27 disposals.

“He’s another guy we’re glad to have back at this time of year,” Brown said.

“One of the best things about the later finish is that you get the players back from school footy so the boys can test themselves against the best.

“Oli had a really good national carnival and has kept building from there.”