A STAR turn by Murrumbeena junior Fletcher Roberts highlighted a last-quarter Sandringham Dragons rally in the TAC Cup grand final at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Trailing the Oakleigh Chargers by 20 points at three-quarter time, Roberts, a 197cm right-footer, booted four goals in the final term to finish with a bag of five and no doubt opened up the eyes of AFL scouts in Sandy's 17.11 (113) to 16.9 (105) victory.
It was the Dragons' second premiership, coming 12 years after their first in 1999, and coach Dale Tapping was delighted.
"It's a great result," he said. "The boys showed tremendous character. Just their ability to persist and keep working shone out."
Roberts' set shot at the 19-minute mark cut Oakleigh's lead to seven points. Pint-sized Kenny Ong followed with an intercept in the backline just one minute later to make it a one-point game.
Roberts put the Dragons four points ahead with a long set shot at the 23-minute mark and two minutes later ran into an open goal to seal Sandy's stunning comeback.
Roberts finished with 11 kicks, two handballs and took nine marks, four of which were contested.
"He ended up with five but he missed a couple of easy ones to be honest," Tapping said.
"He missed two from about 20 metres out. He could have ended up with a few more.
"He's a very smart player who uses his body well. He knows his way around the park."
Cameron Sharp and Alex Woodward each had 20 possessions for the winners. Liam Sumner had 19 disposals, Jackson Paine 17 and two goals. Ned Fallon and Yillber Zijai had 16 disposals each.
Nicholas Murphy booted five goals for the Chargers, who trailed by four goals at quarter-time. Oakleigh kicked seven goals in the second quarter to lead by 10 points at half time which it extended to 20 points entering the final quarter.
Dragons flag men: Jack Beech, Cameron Banfield, Lachlan Boyd, Yillber Zijai, Samuel Frost, Travis La Rocca, Alex Woodward, Dylan Gabron-Uhe, Ben Darrou, Thomas Tyquin, Brede Seccull, Cameron Sharp, Jackson Heagney-Steart, Liam Sumner, Anthony Anastasio, Ned Fallon, Kenny Ong, Jack Williams, Jackson Coleman, Jackson Paine, Xavier Richards, Fletcher Roberts.
Courtesy of Moorabbin Leader
Last Modified on 28/11/2011 10:49