SANDY AND SAUTNER SIZZLE

by Barry from Beach Road

The Zebras returned to the winning list with a vengeance yesterday when they gave the Tasmanian Devils an 87 point spanking to put an end to a five-game losing streak on a day for the history books at the Sandringham Football Club. Champion spearhead Nick Sautner was the centre of attention and the star of the game booting seven goals as he surpassed Anthony Allen's games record to become the club's longest-serving player with 166 games.

The win sees Sandy move up a place on the VFL ladder at this stage of the split 15th round and, for the time being at least, secures its place in the VFL top eight.

The Devils were a different side to the one that succumbed by 152 points to the Zebras at Aurora Stadium in Round 7. A change in coach and a number of playing personnel meant that it was a far more determined outfit that crossed the Bass Strait for this meeting between the clubs. The AFL scouts were also out in force looking at four of Tassie's Under 18 contingent including All Australian Mitch Robinson in action for their senior team.

While the Apple Islanders approached the game with great determination, they were simply outgunned on the day by the superior fire power of the home team. Sandy was clearly on top from the first bounce and Sautner was soon in the thick of things with the first goal of the day. Tassie squandered what wind advantage existed and were already 14 points in arrears at the first break. Then, Sandy piled on the goals with the first five of the second term to coast to a 55 point lead at the main break and effectively put an end to the game as a contest.

The home side dominated the rucks and the middle through Jeff White and skipper Peter Summers and its forward line of Sautner, Ben Holland and Rod Crowe had a field day in the air. When the ball did spill to the ground it was the Sandy little men like Guy Martyn and Addam Maric who took full advantage of the crumbs. Chad Liddell seems to have a new lease of life up forward and he finished with three strong goals for the game.

The Zebras continued on their merry way after half time with the defence, led by Nathan Carroll, Andy Biddlecome and impressive youngsters in James Frawley, Jace Bode and Ricky Petterd giving no quarter and mopping up everything that came their way.

But it was Nick Sautner's day as he feasted on the Tassie defence to finish with seven goals for a very productive afternoon to bring his season's tally to 60 and stretch his lead on the VFL goal kicking ladder.

Sautner's career in the VFA/VFL began a dozen years ago as a struggling defender with the Springvale reserves. He moved to Sandringham in 1997 and arrived at the Trevor Barker Oval just in time to take his place at centre half back in its premiership side of that year.

Two years later Sautner switched to the forward line and won the first of his seven Jim "Frosty" Miller Medals as the competition's leading goal kicker. The next season was the first year of the club’s alignment with Melbourne and Sautner repeated the dose and played in the club’s 2000 premiership team.

Sautner switched allegiances in 2001 when he moved to bayside rival Frankston and again in 2003 when he was lured to the Northern Bullants. He played a total of 58 games with those clubs and was the league's leading goal kicker in each of his three seasons in self-imposed exile from Beach Road.

He returned to Sandringham and played in consecutive premierships from 2004 to 2006 so that he also now holds the crown for the most premierships with the Zebras (five). The three-time Victorian representative has been nominated for a record seven VFL team-of-the-year selections and his nine goals against the WAFL last year were the most for the VFL in an interstate game.

The thirty-one year old king of the Sandringham goal square who trialled with St Kilda and Melbourne but never made an AFL list hopes to go around again next year. He is already seventh on the all time list of VFL/VA goal kickers table and in recent times, he has surpassed the records of greats Ron Todd, Jamie Shaw, Joe Radojevic and Peter Neville.

Nick Sautner continues to break VFL records and his overall tally of 224 games and 746 goals at an average of 3.33 per game place him as one of the greats of the oldest football competition in the country.

Sandringham now has a week's break as it prepares for the run home. Clever utility Ezra Poyas should be back for the team's next challenge - a difficult assignment against eighth placed Northern Bullants in a game that will be pivotal to the club's finals aspirations.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Thanks to Axis of Bob who has provided his insights into the Demons at Sandy this week.

Jace Bode - played a good, clean game in the back pocket providing a lot of drive from defence. Used the ball well showing that he is still pushing for an AFL spot next week.

Stats: 11 Kicks, 19 Handballs, 7 Marks, 6 Tackles

Nathan Carroll - played at half back and back pocket and was good. Took a lot of marks dropping into the hole and swept the ball well when it hit the ground. Certainly still knocking on the door, but it will be tough to break into the Melbourne side with Garland, Martin and Warnock all playing well.

Stats: 11 Kicks, 14 Handballs, 8 Marks

James Frawley - excellent game in a key defensive post. Played on talented youngster Aaron Cornelius (a probable first round pick this year) for most of the game and kept him to a single possession (from a debatable mark) during that match up. Provided good rebound and skills too. Very good game on a mobile, leading forward.

Stats: 6 Kicks, 9 Handballs, 1 Mark

Ben Holland - looked like he was going to spoil Sautner's big day when he was plucking marks from everywhere in the first quarter. Continued to dominate in the air as Tassie had no answers to his size and strength. Very good first game back, ending up with four majors.

Stats: 13 Kicks, 4 Handballs, 14 Marks, 4 Goals

Addam Maric - a classy, skilful little player who finds space very easily in traffic and out wide. Looks to be improving his work rate which is encouraging although there are still stages where his defensive intensity is inconsistent (but definitely much better). Played at half forward and occasionally in the midfield, getting quite a lot of the ball and almost pulling off a magical goal in the pocket after several efforts.

Stats: 20 Kicks, 11 Handballs, 8 Marks, 1 Goal

Ricky Petterd - played at half back and collected a fair bit of the ball sweeping loose balls. Very clean hands and good overhead, making him a very good defender when he plays man on man. His kicking was generally good, but a bit hit and miss. Did well as part of a very strong and attacking defence.

Stats: 20 Kicks, 8 Handballs, 6 Marks

Jake Spencer - started relatively slowly with White taking the majority of the responsibility in the first half, but was more than competitive in the ruck contests. In the second half (and particularly the last quarter) he began taking marks around the ground including some very good contested marks, which was very promising. Not exactly getting leather poisoning, but very promising performance from the young ruckman.

Stats: 2 Kicks, 4 Handballs, 4 Marks

Jeff White - good in the ruck, where he was definitely a class above the Tassie boys. Went forward and took some good grabs too and is not far away from a recall should either of Johnson or Jamar falter.

Stats: 15 Kicks, 5 Handballs, 6 Marks, 2 Goals

Adem Yze - maintained his consistently good form against Tassie, where he was very good at half forward. Kicked very well and it is amazing to see the difference between his efforts at AFL level and VFL level. Certainly putting in the hard yards with his tackling, harassing and took some courageous marks. Certainly doing everything he can to force his way back into Melbourne's side, which is a credit to him.

Stats: 21 Kicks, 7 Handballs, 8 Marks, 2 Goals

Sandringham 4.5.29 12.13.85 18.17.125 24.19.163

Tasmania 2.3.15 4.6.30 7.7.49 11.10.76

Goals

Sandringham Sautner 7 Holland 4 Liddell 3 Martyn White Yze 2 Crowe M Johnston Maric Summers

Best

Tasmania Cornelius Richter Taylor 2 Bielski Hardy Plummer Robinson Shackleton

Best

Sandringham Carroll Sautner Holland Crowe Biddlecombe Bode

Tasmania Andrews Richter Setchell Robinson Koulouriotis Shackleton

The Sandy Reserves blew a big chance to cement their place in the finals with poor kicking for goal in the final quarter when they could manage only 2.8 with the aid of a strong breeze.

Sam Monaghan and Rennie Gilchrist pressed their claims for senior selection with strong performances and young Demon Jack Grimes showed some excellent skills.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Axis of Bob

Jack Grimes - played at half back, playing about 20 minute a quarter. Was very clean with his skills, showing excellent decision making and also worked well in close. Not a dominant game, but his decision making shows you why he was a first round pick last year.

Stats: 12 Kicks, 11 Handballs, 5 Marks

Tom McNamara - also played across half back and was solid without dominating. Used the ball very well, in general, and was very clean.

Stats: 16 Kicks, 6 handballs, 6 Marks , 2 Goals

Isaac Weetra - played very well, especially in the first half. Played half forward and midfield, showing some real class as well as providing a good hit up target going forward. Kicked a very nice goal from an interception too.

Stats: 15 Kicks, 4 Handballs, 8 Marks, 1 Goal

Trent Zomer - was more involved this week, showing that he can take some good marks when his work rate is higher. Just needs to maintain that work rate across the full four quarters.

Stats: 10 Kicks, 3 Handballs, 7 Marks, 2 Goals

Sandringham 1.3.9 6.10.46 8.11.59 10.19.79

North Ballarat 3.3.21 8.6.54 12.10.82 13.13.91

Goals

Sandringham Zomer 2 Gilchrist Weetra Hardiman Gilder Monaghan Lockwood Hine Kondarovskis

North Ballarat Faure 3 Luke Taylor 2 Caldow George Gregg Orvis Tarrant Tickner

Best

Sandringham Monaghan Gilchrist Gribbin Waller Fleming Hardiman

North Ballarat George Peace Caldow Peters Luke Tickner