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Draft watch: The Sandringham Dragons guns
Luke Mathews • May 4th, 2025 12:35 pm
The Sandringham Dragons will once again feature heavily on draft night, with several players slated to be picked up once again.
The boys from Melbourne’s bayside suburbs have dominated the Coates Talent League in recent years, winning the last three premierships and have had 26 players drafted during that time.
Under coach Rob Harding, the Dragons have had a blistering start to 2025, winning their first three matches to sit equal top of the ladder.
The reigning premiers have several top line superstars such as Archie Ludowyke, Jack Dalton and Xavier Bamert however there are some lesser-known gems that could find their way onto an AFL list.
One to keep an eye on from now until November’s national draft is St Kilda NGA product Kye Fincher.
The Saints were outspoken last year about the price clubs pay for academy and father son picks however Fincher will ensure they need to stockpile picks to match a potential bid.
The half back flanker has hit the ground running in 2025, averaging 23.3 disposals and was one of the best in Vic Metro’s under 18 trial match.
“As a half back he’s really strong overhead,” Harding told SEN’s Future Stars.
“We trained him as a midfielder but played him more at half-back now and I think that’s his preferred position particularly looking at an AFL career.”
Harding also floated the names of a couple of Dragons who will feature heavily for the side throughout the year as well as some who could be eligible for this month’s mid-season draft.
“I really like Ricky Theodoropoulos, 168cm small forward just does everything right all the time," he added.
“He played senior footy against men in the last couple of years, played a game with us as a 16-year-old.
“He hits the scoreboard, sets others up and does a lot of good stuff, Ricky will be a little cult hero if he makes it through onto an AFL list.
“I really like Sacha Levine, I think he’s one that progressed really well with us last year and has added a bit more burst to his midfield game.
“There’s a few 19-year-olds hopefully for the mid-season draft I’m excited about, Charlie Rozene's been terrific in the last couple of weeks.
“He’s a high half forward that gets up the ground and gets back, puts on pressure and finds the ball really well.
“Jhett Haeta who was a great story last year, he’s on Richmond’s VFL list this year and back to us a 19-year-old.
“Jhett missed the start of the year with an injury, played really well through the middle of the year then broke his arm.
“He was actually leading our best and fairest when he broke his arm and still finished third which is a remarkable effort in a premiership team that had 10 players drafted from it.
The Dragons will be back in action on Sunday when they take on the GWS Academy at RSEA Park.
