FREE WILLY

by Barry from Beach Road

One the largest crowds at a VFL game in many years turned up to Burbank Oval to watch traditional rivals Williamstown and Sandringham battle it out on Sunday and even though admission was free, the crowd still got more than it's money worth - especially those who supported the local side which easily outclassed the visitors in both the seniors and reserves matches.

Many sides have travelled to Point Gellibrand in the past and had their hopes wrecked by the difficult conditions that often prevail in this part of the world. The ground abuts Hobson Bay and the tricky winds blowing off the shore and across the ground have always proved a handful for teams coming from the other side of town.

Sandringham went into the game missing two clever forwards in Ezra Poyas and Adem Yze and, with Nick Sautner well held by his opponent for most of the day, the Zebras struggled after an inaccurate opening quarter. They fought back a little in the third quarter but allowed the Seagulls to run all over them as the wind strengthened in the last.

The damage was done early when Sandy kicked poorly at what should have been the scoring end of the ground. Williamstown got on top and would have been happy with the 3.1.19 to 1.4.10 score line at the first break.

After conceding three early goals in the second term Sandy lifted but failed to retake the initiative thanks to some poor attempts at conversion at the grandstand end. Addam Maric, who was lively early, broke through for his team's second goal but the Seagulls had all the answers and goal from a free kick on the half time siren gave them a handy five goal lead.

Sandringham had few stars in the first half. Matthew Whelan had been strong in defence early in the game, but with him off the ground, Andy Lovell's charges were in trouble.

The Zebras threatened to make a game of it in the third quarter with Peter Summers and Shane Valenti providing drive from the middle and Sautner finding the goals at last. Rod Crowe was working hard up forward and Paul Johnson, back from an injury layoff, was impressive on the ball and in the ruck while the defence led by Andy Biddlecombe tightened up and repelled the Willy attacks. Late in the quarter, the visitors had closed in to within a kick but a late flurry of three goals to the home side left them in a strong position at the final change of ends.

The final term was a procession for the Seagulls as some poor lapses from some of the Sandy players often left their Willy opponents free to cause havoc and they finished up booting ten of the last eleven goals scored in the game to run out easy winners by 64 points.

The Zebras are out of the top four for the first time in many years and must regroup for their clash against an improved Tasmanian Devils outfit in an AFL curtain-raiser at Aurora Stadium on Saturday morning.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode - got a fair bit of the ball but was often under pressure and didn't really do enough with it.

Simon Buckley - another strong performance from the youngster who has good pace and showed improvement in his decision making. Impressed.

Kyle Cheney - manfully applied himself to his task. He is learning the game at senior level and should be a valuable defender in the future.

Lynden Dunn - spent most of the game as a tagger through the midfield with the occasional stint up forward. Solid but should be doing much better at this level.

Ben Holland - looked a little out of sorts in the first half and was a better in the second but he was well covered and did nothing spectacular.

Chris Johnson - another good performance. However, while he did some good things they were probably not enough to convince one that he can consistently do the same at the higher level.

Paul Johnson - had a good battle with beanpole Peter Street. Has improved his marking, his ground skills are excellent and his ruckwork is of acceptable standard. It shouldn't take him too long to win back a place in the Melbourne team.

Addam Maric - there's a lot to like about this talented young player. He was well in the game early when many of his team mates were not and his disposal is generally a treat to watch. He is also learning the defensive side of the game which is so necessary for him to become a well rounded player at the elite level.

Stefan Martin - played as a key defender with the odd stint in the ruck and was impressive at both tasks. Amazingly agile, a strong mark and he's definitely been working on his kicking which is getting better.

John Meesen - probably played his best game at Sandy but, given the Demons' ruck situation, will need to wait a while longer and develop his game further before he gets a chance at AFL level.

Shane Valenti - got a lot of the ball and worked hard in midfield but he hasn't grown or gotten any faster in the past week and these things will always hurt his prospects.

Matthew Whelan - started well in the last line of defence but went off (presumably injured) and wasn't seen after half time.

Williamstown 3.1 19 8.6.54 12.10.82 19.16.130

Sandringham 1.4.10 3.6.24 8.10.58 9.12.66

Goals

Wlliamstown Little Skipper Rose 3 Ward 2 Galea Harbrow Johnson McDougall O'Keefe Ray Stretton Urch

Sandringham Maric Sautner Summers 2 Buckley Crowe P Johnson

Best

Williamstown Jolley Ward Street Skipper Harbrow Meyer

Sandringham Biddlecombe Summers Crowe Buckley Valenti Holland

The reserves were in the hunt until the main break of their top of the table clash. At that stage it was a high scoring affair but the home sight got right on top and Sandy failed to score a goal after half time and Willy ran completely over the top of a bedraggled visiting team to win by 105 points.

Sam Monaghan pressed hard for senior selection with a solid performance while Marc Johnston was steady but it was a disappointing way for the team to end its four game opening winning streak and a pointer to the hard work that is necessary to be a top side in any competition. They have a fortnight to lick their wounds as a result of this week's bye.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jake Spencer - struggled after being dropped to the reserves following some reasonable performances at senior level.

Isaac Weetra - virtually unsighted and disappointing.

Trent Zomer - rotated between the forward line and the ruck and did well in both roles. One of his side’s better players.

Williamstown 7.1.49 13.4.82 20.10.130 29.13.187

Sandringham 7.1.49 12.5 77 12.8 .80 12.10.82

Goals

Williamstown Cook 8 Chiu O'Shea 3 Keddell 2 Mulligan Reid 2 Cravino Dullard Jenkins Lynch Lyons McKenzie White Wood Young

Sandringham Cleeve Zomer 3 Gilchrist 2 Eaton Lyall McConnell Vickers

Best

Williamstown Cook Langlands Cravino Reid Grossman White

Sandringham Monaghan Johnston Gilchrist Plymin Cleeve Liddell