By Ben Pollard
The 2008 Geelong Cats AFL Grand Final side could probably tell you everything you want to know about missed opportunities.
St Kilda’s ’09 team probably could too.
And while it wasn’t quite the MCG in September, the 2013 Sandringham Dragons learnt some similar lessons at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve on Sunday.
The Dragons are still undefeated, but a deflating draw against the Northern Knights could very easily have been a commanding victory.
Sandringham had five more scoring shots than the Knights when the final siren blew – 10 more at three-quarter time – but had to split the points.
The wastefulness began in the first quarter, with coach Justin Plapp disappointed his troops couldn’t take advantage of kicking with the wind at blustery Highgate.
“We ended up kicking 2.8 to Northern’s 4.1, so we really put ourselves under the pump early,” he said. “We were chasing bum for pretty much the rest of the day.”
Even with the weight of scoring shots against them, the Knights continually fought to keep their noses in front.
The Dragons gained a small lead late in the final term, but Northern had the wind at their backs and fire still in the belly. The scores were levelled and the siren sounded.
Cue frustration.
“I was quite strong with them in my (post-match) messages, because I just thought it was an opportunity we lost,” Plapp said.
“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities and probably should have won the game, but to Northern’s credit, they really played a smart style of footy against us.”
The silver lining was the continued good performance of Dragons such as Zach Merrett, Lachie Howes and Max Hayes.
All three have shone in each match thus far, with Plapp reserving special praise for Merrett after his 17 disposals and four tackles.
“Zach’s been one who’s probably jumped out of left-field,” he said. “We knew he had some strong talent, but he’s put it together really well to start the year.”
Tom Langdon may have scorched the stats sheet with 31 disposals, 11 marks, six tackles and a goal, but Plapp said he still had high expectations of the 19 year old.
“I’m always going to rate Tommy a little bit harder, because he’s a top-age boy who was probably a bit stiff to miss out (on being drafted) last year,” he said.
“Even though Tommy’s putting some good performances together, there are still a lot of areas in his game that we’re going to continue to coach him strongly in.”
Sandringham’s last early-season chance to chalk up a win with its full squad available comes in two weeks time against the 0-3 Calder Cannons at Highgate.
“It’s really important that we have a strong performance in this game, because we lose a lot of our private school boys (to school football duties) after it,” Plapp said.
It’s an opportunity the Dragons won’t want to miss.
Sandringham Dragons 2.8 3.12 8.16 9.17 (71)
Northern Knights 4.1 6.2 9.5 10.11 (71)
Goalkickers: C.Cathcart 2, M.Hayes 2, L.Marchetti, N.Freeman, T.Wilkinson, N.Smith, T.Langdon
Best: Z.Merrett, L.Howes, M.Hayes, J.Munro, T.Langdon, T.Wilkinson
Last Modified on 10/04/2013 10:54