Dragons click to top gear

THE outside game has clicked into gear as the Dragons continue to prove themselves as genuine premiership contenders.

Bell Park put together its best kicking performance of the year in taking down Newtown & Chilwell, looking a clear cut above the opposition.

The home side produced a picture-perfect build-up late in the fourth term, taking seven kicks to transfer play and move the ball forward without opposition interference, ending in a goal to spearhead Jarrod Garth.

Speaking after the game, co-coach Tim Sheringham said ball movement was the crispest it had been all year.

“I think we had less turnovers than in any other game this year, which is a good sign and just means we are taking care of the ball,” Sheringham said.

“Sometimes we butcher it a little bit, but today I thought we did it very well.

“It was congested early but once we were able to get some ball on the outside we were able to use it a little bit better and we ended up playing pretty well.”

Newtown & Chilwell coach Damien McMahon agreed that the ball use was the difference between the two sides and said that Bell Park was as good a team as he has seen this year.

“We haven’t played St Joseph’s but against everyone we’ve played (Bell Park is) the best we’ve faced, I think they’re the most mature team in the comp,” McMahon said.

With the ball use clicking, Bell Park’s forward line has experienced an upswing in production.

Garth helped himself to seven goals on Saturday to take his season tally to 58, while Jackson Bright was sensational across the halfforward line, finishing with three goals of his own.

Sheringham says his side is close to perfecting its forward line set-up.

“We’re starting to find the right mix forward, it’s still a bit of a guessing game at the moment and it depends on opposition a little bit, but we’re just about at the right mix,” he said.

The Dragons will possibly look to nurse a couple of key cogs through injuries as they face lowly St Albans before the bye. Luke Rounds (shoulder) and Patrick Bright (calf) both sat out the second half, while Ben Johnson (knee) hobbled off late.

Sheringham said those players would be assessed during the week but no risks would be taken.