sandringhamdragons.afl vic.com.au DRAGON TALES APRIL 2008 Monster Achievement D- Day fulfi lled a dream for Myke (Cookie) Cook, when his name was called at pick number 38, to the Adelaide Crows, in the 2007 AFL National Draft. Cook, played as a composed senior fi gure in the under 18’s Dragons 2007 line-up, displaying his fast pace and exceptional skills around the ground. Th e new Crow completes a rollercoaster year; struggling with a knee injury, managing year 12 and football com- mitments at St Bede’s College whilst taking in his stride, invites to Metro Championship Trials and the AFL Draft IN THIS ISSUE Camp. A very proud Sandringham Dragons and St Bede’s Men- Sam Monaghan tone Tigers (Cookie’s junior club) wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Andrew McConnell Flying Start Jonno Nash Charlie Gardiner Plus all the latest on ... Auskick - U15 - U16 - U18 Dragon Tales Sandringham Dragons Football Club website: sandringhamdragons.afl vic.com.au location: D.C. Bricker Pavilion, Princes Park, Caulfi eld Sth. mail:PO Box 101 Caulfi eld South 3162. e: [email protected] ph: 03 9532 8688 fax: 9532 9034 Magazine Contributors: Wayne Oswald, Tikali Nicholls, Elysia Raphael, Jess Goodear, Daryll Hunt Special Thanks: Greg Evans, Fairbairn Printing and Daryll Hunt for his copious amounts of photos through out the year Up-coming Events: Community Coaching Development 25th June Mid-season Sportsmens Night 6th July Annual Club Auction 1st August NAB Under 18’s National Championships 25th May - 9th July NAB Under 16’s National Championships 23rd July - 3rd August Regional Football Development: Player Apperances (Melbourne FC) - Auskick clinics 10th & 11th May - Primary schools 4th June - Secondary schools 21st May - Junior FC 27th May Regional Coaching Development: Auskick - level one 10th June Senior coach level 11th June Advertising Deadlines for Dragon Tales 2008: 14th July 11th August All enquires to Tikali Nicholls on 0422 580 607 2 or [email protected]. Make sure you get enough practice in the wet. 120 hours practice. Experience not excuses. Dragon Tales AAFTERFTER DDRAGONSRAGONS After presentation night at the Sandringham Dragons, you don’t realize it but you say goodbye too a place which has dominated your life for as long as you can remember. A place which can be remembered for where you met some of your best mates, gained confi dence and learnt allot not just about football but the whole pressure and politics that surrounds it. I don’t think you can really gage your level of development until you are out of the system. Playing in the TAC cup takes a massive com- mitment and to balance football, school and a social life really makes you mature quicker than you are planning too. Like most, I enjoyed my time at Dragons and it has led to many opportunities, one being the chance to train with the Sandringham Zebras. The thought of attempting to play football for a VFL team which has won the last three premierships is pretty daunting. The contemplation of playing local footy with mates was very tempting. Though all feedback from past Dragon players about the Zebras was very positive and to think someone like Shane Valenti (Dragons player 2005, Mebourne Demons Rookie 2007) who now owns a VFL premiership medal- lion has motivated me to play the best standard of footy I can possibly play. Even if I don’t reach what I aim to achieve at the Zebras I believe I will be satisfi ed know- ing I didn’t just rest on the accomplishment of playing at the Dragons, and knowing I have given everything and had no regrets. To all players who are with the Dragons at the present I hope you appreciate the opportunity you have been given to be associated with such a high level of football. Even if it may seem like at times a chore to have to go to train- ing three times a week when there is at times around 100 other people training if you stick at it and make the team then that’s great but if not you can feel satisfi ed knowing that you had a crack at it. By Sam Monaghan Sam Monaghan 2006 4 Dragon Tales I would have to say that my last year (2006) with the Sandring- ham Dragons was the best year of football I have played. Not only was it good for my own game but the friendships that were built up over the year. I remember the long bus trips to Horsham, Ballarat and Geelong in which we would joke around and then our serious face would show as soon as we walked on to the ground for the pre-match talk. The season ended on a disappointing note, but it was still a great year. The draft came and went quickly, as we saw Dawes, Hawkins and Kennedy go. But for the rest of us 18 year olds, we ventured our own ways. Some went to local clubs and others to VFL clubs. I headed down to the Sandringham Zebras along with 10 or so others at the start of November. It was hard at fi rst to train as we didn’t know many other players names. Soon after we were given some training tops with our names written on them. The training itself was not too hard, but yet again my hamstring played up as it did midway through the 2006 season. Over the summer I was provided with the opportunity to play in the Queensland state league (AFLQ) with Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. I said yes. With no hesitation. Soon after the last two training sessions with the Zebras, I packed my bags and jumped in my car and drove up north not knowing what to expect! The fi rst training session with the new club started with a bang, a 3km time trial which really tested my fi tness and at the same time, adjusting to the climate change. It was hot weather throughout the whole training session. The humidity really got to me, but it was soon overcome. Everyone at training seemed to introduce themselves to me which really showed the team spirit. I noticed speaking to a few people that a lot of them are Victorian ex-pats looking for a life- style change up north. After the fi rst training session I had my fi rst night in the new house, living with people I had never met before but they were both nice people. My new home on the Gold Coast was only a 5 minute walk to one of Australia’s best surf beaches, Burleigh Heads, which was pretty exciting. I really enjoyed it. The weathers is great, the waters warm and the new team is really beginning to mould. Andrew McConnell 2006 A year on, it was time to move back to Melbourne, where I have resumed playing with the Sandringham Zebras. By Andrew McConnell 5 Dragon Tales PPLAYINGLAYING WWITHITH THETHE 16’S16’S VVodafoneodafone UUndernder 1166 AAcadmeycadmey Name: Jake Dermott Age: 15 Club: Beaumaris School: Brighton Secondary College I’m studying: Maths, Science, English, PE, Art and Media. Favourite subject: PE Strongest subject: PE AFL team: Geelong. Hero: Gary Ablett. Hero outside of football: Brother, Luke. Because he did his knee when he was at Dragons, went off the track then got back on and continued playing good football. I’m supported by: my mother and brother. Dragons’ history: Started at U15’, which was good. I got in. Finding out whether we made the 16’s playing team was a bit nerve-racking and when I found out, I was happy and excited. Goals: To do well and meet new people. At the Dragons it’s to learn how to become a better player. Funniest player in my Dragons group: Sean Brennan. He doesn’t really get angry he just sees the funny side of things. Dragons, the good things: Getting to meet new people and having the challenge of playing with and against better people. The bad: probably the travelling. Jack Frost Jake Dermott James Vine Tom Garside Name: Tom Garside Age: 15 Club: St Beads Mentone Tigers School: Mentone Grammar, year 10. I’m studying: Maths, English, Sports, Science, Geography, Religious Education, PE and Art Favourite subject: PE Strongest subject: Geography and English. AFL team: North Melbourne Hero: Glenn Archer and Wayne Carey. Hero outside of football: Family and close friends. I’m supported by: family. Dragons’ history: I came from the inter-league squad to under 15s level. It was good to get through and then again, it was good to get through to the 30s with the 16’s. However, it was a bit nerve racking and a lot of you mates don’t get through, but personally it’s good to get through. Goals: In football; to play well at school and club as well as meet new people. At the Dragons it is to learn how to be- come a better player, train hard and play consistently. Hopefully play in the carnival games in September and make the 18s and just keep playing. Dragons, the good: To play at a high level and make new friends. The games are really good, I enjoy the training too. The bad: I don’t really have a least favourite. I suppose there’s a fair bit of travelling. The coaching staff: They’re friendly and they seem to know a fair bit about you, they give you constructive criticism and help you work on your game.