AN ILL WIND FOR SANDY by Barry from Beach Road

The gusty northerly blowing straight down the spine of the Trevor Barker Beach Oval yesterday proved an ill wind for the Sandringham Football Club when ladder leader and traditional rival Williamstown took full advantage of its benefit and booted the opening nine goals to take a match winning stranglehold on their game.

The Zebras fought back to win the remaining three quarters but it was all in vain as their slow start had again given their opponent too great a lead. They went down fighting by 14 points and now have a battle to hold their tenuous spot in the top eight after their fifth defeat on the trot, four of them to teams in the top four.

The team was strengthened by the inclusion of Melbourne’s Jeff White, Aaron Davey and Adem Yze and leading goal kicker Nick Sautner but the highlight for Zebra fans was the return of David Gallagher after almost a year out after knee surgery. Gags played with his customary skill and desperation and he received rousing acclamation from team mates and supporters alike when he booted his first goal on return during the game.

Sandringham has become known lately as a slow starter and this game, played in freezing cold conditions, was no exception to the rule. The Seagulls opened with 211cm tall Peter Street dominating in the ruck duels (he did so virtually unchanged all day) and giving his team first use of the ball at clearances enabling them to stream forward for goal after goal as they cut a swathe in the Sandy defences to boot the first nine for the game.

The wind advantage was at its strongest early and Willy was moving the ball forward so quickly that the home side had little opportunity to get numbers behind the ball. At one stage the stiff breeze was so strong that a rare foray forward for a Sautner shot at goal from thirty metres out was held back from scoring by its sheer force and it took until late in the quarter for the Zebras to finally get some system going with goals to Yze and Sautner. Unfortunately, the nine goal start was to prove crucial later in the day.

At the first break, coach Andy Lovell called for at least six goals for the term but the Seagulls booted the first for the quarter before his team was able to mount its response. The mantle of responsibility for the team's recovery rested, as it has so often in the past, with Sautner. He was in sparkling marking form and his strong work helped peg back a few goals and give the supporters some hope but the Zebras kicked poorly and Williamstown regrouped to steady and goal against the run of play. At the main break, the margin was still 26 points.

The third quarter was Sandy's best with Andy Biddlecome, Gallagher and Ricky Petterd all lifting and Peter Summers breaking his heavy tag to give the team some much needed drive in the difficult conditions against the stiff breeze. The Zebras outscored the visitors by four points for the term and the atmosphere was optimistic and full of determination in the huddle at the final break.

Sandringham attacked vigorously at the start of the quarter with Yze, Petterd and Gallagher proving the inspiration and Nathan Carroll the strength. Aaron Davey showed his great pace and skill to give the Zebras some run and the fans were starting to sense victory. Williamstown however, had other ideas and their clever midfielders were able to force the ball forward for goals whenever the margin was narrowed. They also had the advantage of the best conditions of the day as the wind moderated and they ultimately held sway for a well earned victory.

For the Zebras it was again a case of no points but they did come away with the knowledge that the gap between themselves and the leaders is narrow and not insurmountable. They play host to a much improved Tassie Devils next Sunday and will be desperate to get back on the winning list.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode –beaten in defence.

Nathan Carroll – like most of his team mates, Carroll struggled early in the game but was a major factor in Sandy's turnaround when he went forward. Ruffled a few feathers and kicked a nice goal to finish among his team's best.

Aaron Davey – clearly a cut above this standard, Davey worked hard and showed some of his genuine pace at times and accumulated 21 possessions but was hampered overall by the confined spaces of the TBBO.

James Frawley – lowered his colours in a defence that was under the pump all day and made some crucial mistakes under that immense pressure during the course of the game.

Addam Maric – since his brief stint in the reserves has shown a much harder work rate and again had an impact both in the midfield and up forward where his crumbing was always dangerous. His kicking for goal, normally clever and accurate, was off beam in the windy conditions - he kicked 1.4, hit the post twice and a couple of his shots went out of bounds.

John Meesen – after a patchy start, Meesen started coming into his own after quarter time and was a useful contributor despite being part of a losing ruck combination.

Ricky Petterd – a heavy knock early in the game saw him in the hands of the trainers but he showed great composure to not only recover but also display his sublime skills off half back and underlined his enormous potential. Looks to be recovering well from his early season injury woes and can be expected to have a substantial impact at AFL level with a full pre season next year.

Jeff White –beaten in the ruck by Peter Street, but worked tirelessly around the ground and marked strongly in a vain attempt to turn the game around for his team.

Adem Yze – put in a good case for a return to the red and blue with a strong performance showing desperation, winning a lot of the football (22 touches) and kicking three telling goals.

Sandringham 2.3.15 7.8.50 10.10.70 15.15.105

Williamstown 9.3.57 12.4.76 14.8.92 18.11.119

Goals

Sandringham Sautner 5 Yze 3 Liddell 2 Carroll Davey Gallagher Maric White

Williamstown Rose 4 Little 3 Cook 2 Cloke Galea Johnson O'Keefe Picken Reid Stack Street Stretton

Best

Sandringham Yze Petterd Biddlecombe Gallagher Sautner Carroll

Williamstown Picken Street Rose Johnson Stretton Little

The undefeated Seagulls dominated the Zebra Reserves for the second time this year. The home side was outscored in the opening term and was no match for the brilliance of the opposition in the second. They fought hard after half time but Willy had too much system, strength and teamwork and ran out winners by 95 points. Andrew Fleming and Marc Johnston were the team's best players.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Not particularly well. Jack Grimes played off half back and looked a player but found it tough to get any system working. Often he ran hard to make the play but failed to get a response from struggling team mates. Tom McNamara was beaten early but came back and finished the game off well but after the game, he was seen with his arm in a sling. Isaac Weetra and Trent Zomer struggled and Jake Spencer showed some aggression in the ruck.

Former Demon rookie Daniel Hughes was at the game and could soon make his return after a long lay off with injury.

Sandringham 2.2.14 2.2.14 4.7.31 4.10.34

Williamstown 4.2.26 11.7.73 14.11,95 19.15.129

Goals

Sandringham Cleeve Fleming Hardiman Weetra

Williamstown Mulligan Wood 3 Boumann Miller Smith Urch Young 2 Cartelli Georgiadis Langlands

Best

Sandringham Fleming M Johnston Lockwood Gilchrist Monaghan Calder

Williamstown Boumann Young Tanner Boyd Wood Chiu

Time for Grimes to play for Sandy proper

Thanks alot Barry.

Excellent news regarding Petterd. A re-call cant be far away.

Agree with the above post. Grimes needs to play with some decent footballers and at a higher level. He's going to be excellent though.

Time for Grimes to play for Sandy proper

On what I saw I would like Jack to play a couple more games in the reserves before senior VFL, we want him to get plenty of game time and play in a variety of positions to help his development and recovery from injury. Something he probably wouldn't in the senior side.

Agree with the above post. Grimes needs to play with some decent footballers and at a higher level. He's going to be excellent though.

How many quarters did Grimes play? For the past two weeks he has only played a half of footy. This week he played off the half back line. He is still getting his fitness up.

Once he is fit enough to run out 4 qtrs he should be looked for elevation to Sandy 1sts.

Thanks again for the report Barry.

Sounds like both Maric and Petterd are on track to play a few MFC games before the year is out.

On what I saw I would like Jack to play a couple more games in the reserves before senior VFL, we want him to get plenty of game time and play in a variety of positions to help his development and recovery from injury. Something he probably wouldn't in the senior side.

He's now played three games with the Sandy reserves and perhaps one more should do it as I'm not really sure that he will develop much further in the Sandy reserves. He's a player of obvious quality and with all due respects to the Sandy reserves (which are severely depleted at the moment) he needs to have players of a higher standard around him for his own development and for the benefit of the team. How much more would he have learned yesterday playing with the likes of White, Davey and Yze?

How many quarters did Grimes play? For the past two weeks he has only played a half of footy. This week he played off the half back line. He is still getting his fitness up.

Once he is fit enough to run out 4 qtrs he should be looked for elevation to Sandy 1sts.

Thanks again for the report Barry.

He played in all the quarters but went off probably around the 20 minute mark of each (please don't quote me on exact times) so he's building up to a full game. He ran well and looked quite fit.

Sounds like both Maric and Petterd are on track to play a few MFC games before the year is out.

I'd say yes for Petterd but think next year for Maric who still has some more to learn at this level but will be good.

Daniel Hughes? or Daniel Hayes?

Thanks again Barry.

Time for Grimes to play for Sandy proper

I hope so!

Maybe 1 more week in the magoos, but might just get a call up!!

Daniel Hughes? or Daniel Hayes?

Definitely Daniel Hughes who was originally a Sandy player.

Interesting that Carroll's gone forward successfully in a couple of games. Can't see him reinventing himself, but I guess stranger things may have occurred in footy

Great to hear Grimes is getting through games and showing glimpses of his immense talent.

Sorry to hear Sandy having such a poor run this year

Definitely Daniel Hughes who was originally a Sandy player.

Just checking cos last I heard Hayesy was playing up at Paynesville

Andy Lovell's Player Review is HERE:

I like what he said about Ricky Petterd's progress -

Stats: Possessions 25, Kicks 12, Handballs 13,

Ricky played primarily off half back, and was matched up on the Bulldogs' listed Callum Ward. He had a really good game defensively, and kept his opponent pretty quiet. He finished with 25 possessions and used the ball well, but turned it over on occasions off one step kicks. He did attack the game, and gave us some good run off half back. For small parts of the game, we put him into the midfield and he did well getting his hands on the ball at stoppages. Overall, Ricky just had a really good game. He is back to playing around 80% of game time, and is on track for where we want his body to be.

Andy Lovell's Player Review is HERE:

I like what he said about Ricky Petterd's progress -

Stats: Possessions 25, Kicks 12, Handballs 13,

Ricky played primarily off half back, and was matched up on the Bulldogs' listed Callum Ward. He had a really good game defensively, and kept his opponent pretty quiet. He finished with 25 possessions and used the ball well, but turned it over on occasions off one step kicks. He did attack the game, and gave us some good run off half back. For small parts of the game, we put him into the midfield and he did well getting his hands on the ball at stoppages. Overall, Ricky just had a really good game. He is back to playing around 80% of game time, and is on track for where we want his body to be.

Callan Ward played some good games for the Doggies and coiuld be considered unlucky to be dropped.

This is a great sign for Ricky

Good news for Ricky.

Also for John Meesen. Seems to have played a decent game on the wing. With the athletisicm and skill we always here about maybe he would be best suited as a tall winger. He seems to get murdered in the ruck each week so..

Gebus what was Yze doing tackling??

Adem Yze

Stats: Possessions 21, Kicks 14, Handballs 7, Tackles 12, Goals 3

Adem was very good for us - he had 21 possessions and 17 ‘one percenters’, including 12 tackles. His attitude and leadership was outstanding. He played midfield/half forward and had a really good balance between his attack and defensive parts of his game. He kicked the ball really well in the windy conditions, and finished with three goals. Adem’s defensive pressure was a highlight, and he and Biddlecombe were in the top two players for us on the day.