ZEBRAS GETTING CLOSER

[Demonland 73,140]

by Ice Station Zebra

Sandringham's slump continued as it suffered yet another defeat at windswept Austar arena on Sunday. However, this time the 16 point loss to in form side North Ballarat was a performance that was not only full of grit and endeavour but also showed signs that the team might have turned the corner at last.

The undermanned Zebras took on a side that demolished competition leader Williamstown just one week earlier at the same inhospitable venue for visiting teams and to the tune of 47 points. After a poor first quarter full of costly skill errors and turnovers, they outscored the Roosters for the remainder of the game and did well to get to within two goals close to the end.

Sandringham came into the game with a long list of injured and unavailable players (stretching well into the teens if you include the injured Demon list players who might otherwise have been eligible to play) that included the competition's leading goal kicker Nick Sautner and clever forward Ezra Poyas. Adam Yze was a late withdrawal leaving the team light on for experience and class in the attacking half.

The Zebras were greeted by typical cold and windy conditions for central Victoria and again started slowly with North Ballarat scoring the first major inside the first thirty seconds of the game. Youngsters Jake Williams, Andrew McConnell and James Frawley were good early but by the first change they trailed badly having not scored a goal while the Roosters already had four.

Zebra fans who had braved the elements to arrive early for the reserves game had to wait until the second quarter of the main game to witness a Sandy goal for the day. They finally were rewarded as their team lifted and got itself back into the game. Rod Crowe went into the midfield and gave the side some much need grunt, John Meesen and Jake Spencer were getting on top in the ruck, Chad Liddell was solid across half back and Peter Summers was getting his hands on the ball. With Michael Newton marking well up forward, the team was acquitting itself so much better although some occasional lapses in discipline and skill errors proved costly.

The third quarter saw Sandringham really start to assert itself onto the contest with Crowe and Biddlecombe changing on ball and providing some much needed body pressure on the opposition. Addam Maric stepped up and kicked a couple of valuable goals up forward while Newton was still proving a handful for the Roosters defence. The Zebras kicked the last three goals of the quarter to have a real belief in their winning chances at ¾ time.

For the second week in a row, the Zebras were called upon to lift in the final quarter and they answered the call in an action packed thirty minutes during which time they seemingly had all the momentum but fell short again for the second week in a row. Newton and Maric continued to look dangerous up forward and youngster Daniel Gribbin did some good things along half forward. Ricky Petterd and Daniel Bell started to run out of defence and Liddell showed strength at half back but playing catch up football took its toll in the end and they just couldn’t get over the line.

The upshot of four successive defeats has been a dramatic fall from a top four berth to a battle to remain in the finals. Sandy now sits in eighth place with a tough home game next Saturday against ladder leader Williamstown at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Daniel Bell - an average game from Bell who needed to do more to win consideration for promotion to the AFL.

Nathan Carroll - looked a treat with his new almost fully shaven hair style and played a reasonable game in defence with one or two of the odd clangers to keep things interesting. Moved forward in the last quarter and kicked a lovely goal from a long way out.

james Frawley - one of his team's better players at centre half back, particularly early on when the team was under immense pressure. Learning and improving.

Addam Maric - not only did he kick three goals but was also very lively and constantly represented danger for the North Ballarat defence. Working harder defensively, uses the ball really well. Managed the goal of the day from the forward pocket on the turn and adjusting for the wind.

Tom McNamara - after making a good start, McNamara drifted out of the game but always worked hard. As the youngest member of the team, he should be given plenty of time to develop.

John Meesen - had a poor day in the ruck and was well beaten.

Michael Newton - kicked four goals and it could easily have been more but the conditions were not good for forwards. He took some good contested marks but was also a little undisciplined at times. I hate using this cliche but he really needs to go back to basics and try to keep things simple.

Ricky Petterd - still being nursed through his comeback after injury but he got plenty of the ball and disposed of it reasonably well with one pass to Newton for a goal a real standout.

Jake Spencer - the better of the two Demon ruckman, he is enthusiastic and learning the game although one clanger in defence was particularly costly. Still a work in progress and like all big men, needs time.

Sandringham 0.1.1 3.3.21 7.6.48 10.10.70

North Ballarat 4.4.28 6.9.45 10.12.72 12.14.86

Goals

Sandringham Newton 4 Maric 3 Martyn 2 Carroll

North Ballarat Driscoll 4 Wundke 2 Chester Goodes Greig Grima Lower Searl

Best

Sandringham Crowe Biddlecombe Williams C Liddell Frawley McConnell

North Ballarat Sansbury Sharkey Grima Sewell Driscoll Greig

With so many of their number called upon for duty in the senior team, the third placed reserves were outclassed by North Ballarat and failed to score a single goal on their way to an 11 defeat. They had only 20 players and were attempting to rotate some players coming back from injury so it was always going to be a difficult battle. Tomi Johnston was the team's best and Maddison Hardiman and Michael Curcio battled the game out strongly. Jack Grimes was again impressive but he lacked support. The result was almost as bad as it can get although the Reserves did score a meagre 1.1.7 in the corresponding game in 2006.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jack Grimes - is working his way back into the game after a long absence and was therefore rotated on and off throughout the game. He picked up a lot of possessions, looked pretty classy with his disposal and decision making and was one of Sandy's best on a dismal day.

Isaac Weetra - struggled all day and, at one stage, missed a simple opportunity to kick his team's only goal.

Sandringham 0.2.2 0.4.4 0.7.7 0.9.9

North Ballarat 2.3.15 4.7.31 8.7.55 11.9.75

Goals

North Ballarat Dignan Horbury McHugh 2 Bell Dickinson Micallef Peace Seddon

Best

Sandringham Johnston Hardiman Curcio Grimes Calder Hine

North Ballarat Murnane McHugh Tickner Garlett Seddon Owen