INTERESTING TIMES

by Barry from Beach Road

These are interesting times for the VFL competition.

Last Thursday, the course of the Sandringham Football Club was changed forever with the announcement that its union with the Melbourne Football Club will be replaced by a new five-year deal with St. Kilda at the end of the year.

In the meantime there was still half a season to be played out. There were games to be won and business to be done with the first assignment being to overcome Collingwood at Trevor Barker Oval. This encounter was looming as a danger game in view of the growing injury lists at both Melbourne and Sandringham which forced nine changes to the Zebra line up from the one that played against the Northern Bullants the week before the VFL interstater against South Australia.

There was also the question of how the Demon players were going to tackle this game in the light of last week’s announcement and the fact that their own AFL club was negotiating a move to Casey Fields to enter into an alignment with the Saints' current partner, the Scorpions.

Of course, there was no need to question the professionalism of the players from both clubs and the Zebra team applied the usual commitment and exceptional team spirit to produce a comfortable 30 point win in what was otherwise a rather lacklustre event.

Sandringham was missing in form champion full forward Nick Sautner who broke his hand in two places late in the Bullants game a fortnight ago. Also missing were last minute withdrawals Tomi Johnston, Shane Tregear and Chris Waller – all young, fast and in recent good form. Ben Holland, originally named at full forward to replace Sautner, failed to prove his fitness and missed out, leaving rookie Demon Trent Zomer to make his senior debut after showing good form with the reserves.

The game opened in bright winter sunshine with a large crowd enjoying the mild conditions at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Sandy was out of the blocks early with Mark Jamar dominating the ruck and pushing forward for an early goal followed quickly by another to Addam Maric.

Shane Valenti was winning the early clearances and playing an important role in ensuring that the team moved the ball well on the small ground. He was however, on the receiving end of some heavy attention and was soon involved in a scuffle with his tagger which saw both their names entered in the umpires' books for wrestling.

Newcomer Zomer was lively early. He moved well, was prepared to handball to advantage rather than take risky shots for goal and had two goals on the board as the Zebras went into the quarter time huddle with a 19-point lead. He finished with three to be leading goal scorer on the ground for the day.

Sandringham's work rate dropped off in the second quarter but the visitors' inaccuracy in front of goal meant that the Zebras did not have to pay the price of their lapses in terms of scoreboard pressure. Both teams were being forced to make mistakes and the game turned into a dull affair by the time the teams took to the rooms at the main break.

By that time Collingwood was still 16 points in arrears and would not be allowed back into the game by the much vaunted miserly Zebra defence which simply strangled the Magpie attack in the second half keeping it down to just two goals.

The ever-improving Stefan Martin kept his opponent quiet all day, Nathan Carroll had the better of Collingwood speedster Chris Egan, Andy Biddlecombe was rock solid as usual, Matthew Whelan collared any of the Magpies smalls who had the temerity to stand against him and Chris Lamb was unstoppable as Jaxson Barham soon discovered when he tried to run through and not around him.

With Jamar (25 disposals) and John Meesen easily accounting for the Magpie rucks, Peter Summers dominated at the stoppages and finished the game with 34 touches. Along with Valenti and irrepressible running link men Chris Johnson (who again put in a blinder) and Simon Buckley, the Zebras held all the aces although the Magpies fought the game out right to the final siren. Rod Crowe was extremely important at centre half forward with his creative play and movement that often put the Magpie defence off its guard and Port Melbourne recruit Jarrod Plymin picked up a lot of possessions in another strong display.

The victory has dispelled fears that the impending break up of the alliance between Melbourne and Sandringham might affect the team's performance for the remainder of the year. The players combined and they have always done for the past eight and a half years of the partnership which has seen four Zebra flags and many players from both clubs develop into fine footballers.

The fact that three Sandy players – Matthew Warnock, Shane Valenti and Stefan Martin are now on the Demons' list speaks volumes for the success of the partnership forged in late 1999.

Sandringham retains third place on the ladder and ironically, its sixth win of the season has set up what should be a fascinating encounter next Saturday when it confronts the fourth placed Scorpions at Casey Fields.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Simon Buckley - a classy display from the Demon runner and, although overshadowed by his counterpart Chris Johnson's own brilliant performance, his disposal is definitely improving and he is showing signs of greater maturity in his play.

Nathan Carroll - far too strong and too good for Collingwood speedster Chris Egan who must have nightmares whenever he thinks of the Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Last year he damaged his knee there and this year Carroll dismantled him in a brutal a manner as only a tough defender can do.

Kyle Cheney - quiet early with limited opportunities but, as the game went on, the dogged young defender showed enough to suggest he will develop into a very handy and tough member of the back line. The educational value of playing alongside Matty Whelan for just this day alone would be inestimable.

Mark Jamar - a clear winner in the ruck against Cameron Wood and he also dominated around the ground. If only he could play like that at the higher level!

Chris Johnson - owned the football and was clearly the best man on the ground. He showed great polish in his movement, in his decision making and in his disposal of the football and I would be astonished if he wasn't selected to play against Richmond next week.

Addam Maric - busy early up forward and also had the occasional run of the ball where he flashed in and out of the play. He shows that he is learning to add new dimensions to his game, particularly in terms of his defensive skills which he need to hone if he is to be a success in the big time. The task is to convert him from a clever forward pocket into a dangerous, elite midfielder - a long term development project which could pay large dividends for the club in the future.

Stefan Martin – a very polished defensive display which saw him completely outclass his opponent. Runs well out of defence for a tall man and is clearly being groomed for a key defensive post at the highest level. He looks like a quick learner as he seems to be doing all of the right things.

John Meesen – has great agility and did well in the ruck and around the ground although he was dominated somewhat by his senior ruck partner in Mark Jamar.

Shane Valenti - was very good and won a fair bit of the ball although he was closely tagged all day. He didn't seem to mind the attention although could have received a little more protection from the men in orange (aka the umpires).

Isaac Weetra - a last minute inclusion in the side who had a quiet day.

Matthew Whelan - the consummate small/medium defender whose experience and natural defensive talent shone through. He blocked, he punched, he anticipated the fall of the ball and marked and cleared like the seasoned campaigner that he is and he should also be back at Melbourne next week.

Trent Zomer – kicked three on debut and will benefit greatly from whatever time he spends at this level in the absence of Sautner, Holland and Newton. Needs to build up his strength to be able to hold his ground against strong bodied defenders but if he applies himself to the task, he could become a senior key position player which is just what the Demons are looking for in view of the retirement of Neitz and the injury to Robbo.

Sandringham 5.2.32 7.5.47 9.11.65 11.13.79

Collingwood 2.1.13 4.7.31 5.8.38 6.13.49

Goals

Sandringham Zomer 3 Liddell Maric 2 Jamar C Johnson Poyas Whelan

Collingwood Iles 2 Anthony Carmody McCarthy Yaman

Best

Sandringham C Johnson Whelan Martin Jamar Biddlecombe Valenti

Collingwood Iles Pendlebury Crow Stanley Carmody Anthony

Reported

Sandringham S Valenti (San) for wrestling D Nicholls (Coll) in the 1st quarter

Collingwood D Nicholls (Coll) for wrestling S Valenti (San) in the 1st quarter

The irony of the week's events was brought home by the fact that the first game played by Sandringham after Thursday's change of affiliation announcement was the reserves curtain raiser against Casey Scorpions. The late changes left the Zebras in a bit of a quandry and without the full squad causing them some heart flutters late in the game but they were still good enough to win by 15 points. Maddison Hardiman and Sam Monaghan continued on with their good recent form and the goals were spread around with Stuart Cleeve, Scott Lockwood and Jake Williams booting three apiece. Demon Ricky Petterd who has been out since round 1 made his return from injury in this game.

Sandringham 4.3.27 8.7.55 14.10.94 16.12.108

Casey Scorpions 3.1.19 6.6.42 8.10.58 13.15.93

Goals

Sandringham Cleeve Lockwood Williams 3 Lyall 2 Cannon Hardiman Monaghan Petterd Shakaib

Casey Scorpions Vernon Williams 3 Leung 2 Arezzolo Fridman Griffiths Haretuku Mercoulia

Best

Sandringham Hardiman Monaghan Shakaib Williams McConnell Fleming

Casey Scorpions Galvin Williams Griffiths Mercoulia Vernon Waite