SUPER START FOR SANDY

[Demonland 64,398]

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham's super start to 2006 continued when the team travelled to Box Hill City Oval on Sunday where it recorded an emphatic 37 point victory over the Box Hill Hawks in a match highlighted by yet another magnificent team effort from the reigning premiers.

The opposition was coming off a poor start to the season against the Seagulls in Round 1 and was not widely considered as a potential force in the competition but this was still a danger game for the Zebras because it's early in the season, anything can happen and besides, they don't often come away from this venue with an easy victory.

And so it was that Box Hill gave them a run for their money early and even when the visitors gained the ascendancy on the scoreboard they were made to work hard for a win that was set up by a seven goal performance from the new look super slim Nick Sautner at full forward.

The Zebra midfield dominated for most of the day with Peter Summers starring. He was well backed up by a bevy of midfielders in Phil Read (until half time), Nathan Jones, the evergreen Guy Rigoni and a couple of rookie Zebras from the Dragons in Shane Valenti and Andrew Fleming and occasionally Demon hard nut Simon Godfrey. Ruckman Paul Johnson had a tough assignment against the Box Hill rucks but he applied himself to the task. Whilst he may not have won the overall ruck duels, he was far too mobile around the ground for the Box Hill beanpoles Max Bailey and Simon Taylor.

Once again, the back half was awesome. Chris Lamb (full back) and Ben Holland (centre half back) led a defensive group that set up a seemingly impenetrable barrier to their goal. And they had quality back up support in the guise of Chad Liddell, Andy Biddlecombe, Ezra Poyas and the likes of Matthew Bate who drifted back and forward and was in sensational form as he picked up kicks at will throughout the game. Bate linked up well through the midfield and his performance was a most impressive display for a teenager.

While Sautner was the star of the forward line, he also had plenty of helpers. Rod Crowe was solid and creative as usual and Lynden Dunn showed that he is beginning to exert his presence at this level. Danny Hughes received a late call up for the game with the withdrawals of Demons Brent Moloney and Alistair Nicholson and he acquitted himself well, taking some strong marks in a good all round display.

Sandringham coasted in the end to retain top spot on the VFL ladder but this coming Sunday will face a much more difficult foe at Chirnside Park in the replay of the 2005 Grand Final. The Werribee Tigers have been waiting a long time for this game and Sandy will need to be on its mettle to make it three wins in a row.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED - with thanks to Fan and friends

Matthew Bate - quite frankly stunned that the kid wasn't named in the best players. He must have had 25+ possessions, ran very well, won contested ball, read it very well coming into the backline and ran forward to kick a goal at one stage. His kicking today was better with some really good long kicks but with the occasional clanger in there. Must also be close to getting a game up in Sydney.

Simon Buckley - this kid has terrific kicking skills on both sides and used the ball pretty well when he got it. A bit like Adem Yze in that he is very much an outside player but one to watch in the future.

Lynden Dunn - put in some really encouraging cameos as he showed us some strings to his bow. He was very quick today on a couple of occasions. Ran someone down from 20 metres, lead strongly and showed good hands below his knees. If he develops the skills he showing at this level, then he could well be the future replacement for Neita. In the last quarter, when the game was as good as over, he took a pack mark, spun out of the pack, ran forward and kick a lovely goal. It was reminiscent of The Ox in full flight (however, I'm not making any comparison beyond that one bit of play). Write him down in your little black book: my interest is moving towards enthusiasm.

Simon Godfrey - just went and you would really expect more from him at this level.

Ben Holland - big Benny would not be far away from AFL selection. He was very good at CHB taking Doyle out of the game. Marked well, kicked well and ran out the game well. He could almost be a Nicho replacement down back playing on the bigger forwards.

Danny Hughes - a Lynden Dunn look alike who can take a real high grab. Worth persevering with at this level.

Paul Johnson - one of the most skillful midfielders on the ground, but in the air he's inept and was probably beaten in the ruck by Taylor. His field kicking was just great, he found the ball well, he held good marks on his own and his ball handling was very good. He does the little man things well, and on Sunday he did them better than ever before. If he learns to mark we have a special item but there's a big question mark over that!

Nathan Jones - started forward and was busy early without being damaging. Knows how to position himself but still looks a fair way off AFL standard on his performance against the Hawks. He really faded out late in the game which was disappointing as the Zebras were running all over Box Hill.

Shannon Motlop - disappointing and hardly sighted. Pity after such a promising pre season.

Phil Read - very good in the first half but sat out the second with concussion.

Nick Smith: One pack mark and goal. Some simple dropped marks both overhead and chest. Some poor kicking and a pretty under whelming performance. Is struggling to make it.

Sandringham 2.3.15 9.4.58 11.5.71 16.8.104

Box Hill Hawks 2.2.14 4.7.31 6.10.46 9.13.67

Goals Sautner 7 Dunn 2 Bate Crowe Gallagher Hughes Jones Read Smith

Best Holland Biddlecombe Lamb Sautner Johnson Summers

RESERVES LACK SPARK by the Zebra

There were some high expectations of the reserves after last week's strong performance against Port Melbourne but the young Zebras were well beaten over most of the ground against a committed Box Hill reserves combination which held control of the midfield duels throughout.

Sandy was probably a little unsettled by losing some of last week's better players to the senior team but that is what club football is all about. Those coming into the side must stand up and fill the breach when that happens.

Full forward Tom Mentiplay, who starred last week, was well covered while Michael Newton, who was lively at centre half forward, let himself and the team down with his inaccuracy in kicking for goal. With little drive in the middle and the forwards down, Sandy was forced on the defensive and struggled, going down by 57 points.

Marc Johnston and Leigh Fletcher battled manfully in the midfield while Demon rookie, Jace Bode showed some form down back but overall it was a disappointing performance. The team will have to regroup for what is expected to be a tough battle against Werribee at Chirnside Park this week.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode - a player with a bit of a future who worked hard and showed definite skills.

Andre Gianfagna - showed glimpses of form in midfield

Shane Neaves - worked hard in the ruck but still very raw

Heath Neville - has missed the entire pre season with OP and this was his first appearance for the year. Promising but understandably needed a run and played less than three full quarters.

Michael Newton - presented out well and pulled in some good grabs but his kicking was way off. He finished with 1 goal 5 behinds.

Sandringham 2.2.14 3.4.22 3.7.25 7.9.51

Box Hill Hawks 2.4.16 6.10.46 9.10.64 16.12.108

Goals Johnston 2 Gulliver Mentiplay Newton Paule Taranto

Best Gibb Newton Hall Ott Corp Fletcher

SANDRINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB PLAYER AUCTION

The Sandringham players invite everyone down to the Zeb Bar and Function Centre (Social Club) for the 2006 Player Auction.

20th OF MAY 2006 - Sandringham Football Club & Social Club

PLAYER GROUPS AUCTIONED

WEEKLY CASH PRIZES WON FOR BEST ON GROUND PERFORMANCES:

Seniors $200

Reserves $100

DOORS OPEN AT 7 p.m. WITH THE FIRST AUCTION AT 7.30 p.m.

$5 ENTRY FEE; NIBBLES AND ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED