Roos beat Dragons with full-strength team

Roos beat Dragons with full-strength team KANGAROO Flat has extended its recent dominance of Sandhurst to seven straight games, downing the Dragons by four goals in a top versus second battle at Dower Park last Saturday. The Roos made the most of having a full-strength team for the first time this season, prevailing 64–60 in another tough tussle with their long-time nemesis. With their dynamic goaling combination of Ruby Barkmeyer and Teal Hocking in full flight, the Roos laid the foundations for the win with a brilliant opening quarter and a half. The Dragons, to their credit, came home hard, but a comfortable three-quarter-time deficit was always going to be a bridge too far. Pleased to have continued their winning streak over their 2026 grand final rival, Roos premiership coach Jayden Cowling said his side had played exceptionally to build up a 15-goal lead early in the contest. “Our first quarter was one of the best quarters we have played all year. The first time we’ve had a full team, which is nice,” he said. “No turnovers, we were winning ball and our goalers were amazing ... just really switched on. “It set us up for the game. “Credit to Sandhurst, they played extremely well in that last quarter and really made us work for it. “I’m sure we’ll play them once or possibly even a couple of times throughout finals, so we’re happy to gain a bit of momentum. “It was a good game.” The Roos were bolstered at the attacking end of the court, with Abbey Ryan back in the lineup following an overseas trip and Hocking starting to string together a few games after missing most of the season with Mavericks SSN Reserves commitments. Exactly what we’ve come to expect, Chelsea Sartori led from the front in the midcourt with another outstanding big-game performance. Ava Lowndes won plaudits for her effort on powerhouse Sandhurst goaler Bec Smith, while there was no discounting the impact of Barkmeyer and Hocking, whose already sturdy connection only continues to strengthen. “The last quarter wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but we did throw the girls around a bit,” Cowling said. “Chels (Sartori) went to wing defence, Teal to wing attack and we probably didn’t adjust to those changes as quick as we needed to. “But that’s fine, we learn plenty in quarters like that. “Just those finishing touches and execution in key moments will be keys for us to work on in the next three games. “We just need to keep building and connecting in time for finals.” The win was Kangaroo Flat’s seventh in a row against the Dragons, a streak which started in the 2024 preliminary final and includes a pair of wins in last year’s finals series. Undisputed flag favourites, the Roos have now won 29 games straight, and will officially lock in the minor premiership if they beat Golden Square this week. Their run home also includes fourth-placed South Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye. Meg Williams was the Dragons’ standout in wing attack, while goal shooter Smith gave the Roos’ defence plenty to contend with. Young Bendigo Strikers defender Harriett Whiteacre also showed great signs in her time on the court, as the Dragons looked for ways to curb the influence of the Roos’ quality array of shooters. At 10–2, the Dragons are on track to beat out Gisborne (8–3) for second spot, with the old rivals almost certain to play each other in the first week of finals. The pair will meet before finals in round 17 on 15 August, but not before the Dragons take on South Bendigo at the QEO this weekend, followed by Strathfieldsaye at Tannery Lane. Round 14 results: South Bendigo defeated Broadford 88–21; Kangaroo Flat defeated Sandhurst 64–60; Gisborne defeated Castlemaine 59–19; Strathfieldsaye lost to Eaglehawk 50–60; Golden Square bye.