Sandringham AFL Draft prospect Albert MacGowan kicked a goal after the siren at Preston City Oval to send the Dragons into a preliminary final against Gippsland Power next weekend.
MacGowan won a holding the ball free kick in the last 30 seconds of the game with the man on the mark just inside 50. He wheeled around and kicked it just before the siren, flushing it perfectly from the arc to break Northern Knights hearts.
It is the second final in a row the Knights have lost with the last kick of the game after losing in golden point last week.
The match took place in front of a who's who of AFL heavyweights including former boss Andrew Demetriou watching his son, Sacha, for the Dragons, former Richmond and GWS player and Macs Sports player Agent Brett Deledio, leading TGI player agent Tom Petroro and a wealth of recruiters from across the league.
Injury news
Top five prospects Arki Butler and Gus Teixeira are considered more likely to return in a fortnight if Sandringham reaches the
Butler ran laps before the games as he continues to recover from a collarbone injury
Teixeira, meanwhile, is nursing a calf injury he has carried for much of the season.
Meanwhile, Jasper Williams, who received a state combine invite and has received some late interest as an intercept defender is out for the season with stress fractures in his shin. Injury-plagued forward Jack Surkitt suffered a fractured foot on Thursday and is also out for the year.
Scouting notes
Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons)
Had 17 of his 24 disposals in a busy first half where he brought his trademark composure in traffic and stood out with his hard running. Looked to make things happen for a Sandringham side which was hot and cold early. Played much of the game forward after halftime, with his crowning moment being a perfectly struck goal after the siren after winning a holding the ball free kick.
Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights)
Started with an impressive contested mark and the first goal of the game came off his boot. Aftee the first quarter, Bradley had his measure, able to move him around with his strength and craft, save for a huge goal early in the last quarter.
Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons)
After Gayfer kicked the first goal of the game, Bradley took back shoulder and was able to move his opponent around for the most part and won some crucial one-on-one contests, particularly in the last quarter as the Knights were pressing. Took intercept marks, spoiled when he needed to and laid some big tackles, while his kicking penetration was important at times.
Harvie Cooke (Northern Knights)
Won clearances with his power and was a forward threat with his dynamism and physicality. Continues stacking big performances on top of each other. A boisterous presence around the ball, he throws himself through contests and is forceful when he gets the footy and makes it count when he has it going inside 50.
Toby Krasna (Northern Knights)
Has the ability to sell candy so well which buys him time and allows him to execute excellently by foot. A centre clearance which hit a leading forward target lace out in the third quarter was the high point of the athletic prospect's game.
Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights)
Played as the secondary ruck in his last game of junior footy. Took a couple of grabs around the ground and got on top in the ruck, often taking it out of the ruck and looking for territory. With ball in hand, he was not at his best, but his tapwork was predictably brilliant and he was still one of the most important players.
George Dimer (Sandringham Dragons)
His first goal was vintage Dimer, coming forward to meet a groundball, gathering cleanly and quickly getting the ball onto his boot to kick the Dragons' opener. His decision making and execution throughout the day was usually on point, typically unselfish, and seized his moment in the last quarter with a big-time set shot goal.
Riley Stratford (Sandringham Dragons)
The big-bodied midfielder had another strong outing had some moments of strength and physicality through the midfield backing himself to take on tacklers and never panicking in congestion. Had a big role to play in the midfield with some of Sandringham's absences and although his numbers don't jump off the page attacked the footy and had moments of real impact at stoppage.
Ollie Bartal (Sandringham Dragons)
One of Sandringham's best across the afternoon, Bartal spent time on undersized talls and small forwards and for the most part did well to quell them in one-on-one contests and took a series of intercept marks. There were a couple of kicks he would want back but was an important figure in the backline with teammate Bradley's hands full with Gayfer.
Archie Bakoulas (Sandringham Dragons)
A mixture of overlap run, handball receives and intercepting made for a strong day by the bottom-aged defender. Was proactive in wanting to drive his legs and gain metres when Sandy was on the attack and laid some important fists in as he won or neutralised plenty of one-on-ones.
