STANDSTILL

by Ice Station Zebra

Sandringham's campaign for 2008 came to a standstill on Saturday when it was overpowered by the Coburg Tigers in the second half to lose by a solitary goal in wet and greasy conditions at ABD Group Stadium. The loss puts the club two games out of the top four with only two rounds remaining to be played and only a minor miracle could see it taking part in September action this year.

The Zebras were severely undermanned losing two experienced playmakers in Ezra Poyas and Adem Yze. This provided the opportunity for the introduction of two more first gamers in Scott Lockwood and Brett Liddell but while the young Sandy team competed strongly and finished well, in the end it was the stronger and more experienced bodies of Coburg that prevailed.

The Coburg ground was a most uninviting venue for football. It was wet and muddy, particularly in the vicinity of the centre cricket pitch and conditions were cold and windy and the day started badly for the visitors who kicked into the strong breeze in the opening quarter. For the first 20 minutes they failed to register a goal and trailled badly going into the time on period. However, the game turned around dramatically with the Zebras kicking goals through the agency of Ricky Petterd, Ben Holland and Nick Sautner to go into the first break only 10 points in arrears and in a good position with the advantage of the breeze coming up.

The Zebras were now right on top of Coburg with ruckman John Meesen displaying the form that saw Melbourne sign him on a three-year contract at the end of last year when he crossed from Adelaide. They kicked the first five goals of the second term to take control of the game with a winning midfield headed once again by skipper Peter Summers with David Gallagher also in strong form. The back six was firmly in control at this stage with Andy Biddlecombe continuing on with the good form he has been displaying all season.

For the second week in a row, Sandringham loosened its grip on a game after seeming to be on top at the main break. They allowed the opposition to fight back with Greg Tivendale the focal point up forward for Coburg. The home side soon pegged back their half time deficit of 19 points and, with the aid of the strong breeze, they surged to a ¾ time lead of two goals.

Sandy had the work ahead of it to get back into the match but, with the breeze at their backs for the final quarter, the feeling among the team and supporters at the final huddle was that they could overrun the Tigers. The home side had different thoughts and bottled the game up, forcing stoppages all around the ground and making it difficult for the Zebras to score. They then kicked three quick goals to take a 24 point lead into time on before Sandringham again hit back but, in the end, they could not penetrate the Tigers defence and when the siren sound were behind by six points.

Young Demon Petterd who last year suffered a life-threatening punctured lung and missed two months earlier this year was prominent with four goals and Meesen played a strong game to thrust their named before the AFL club's selectors while Ben Holland kicked a couple of handy goals. Club stalwarts in Biddlecombe, Summers, Sautner (four goals), Gallagher and Chad Liddell all made excellent contributions to the team effort but the club will have to recruit strongly next year if it is to regain its mantle as the VFL's team of the decade.

Sandringham 3.1.19 8.6.54 9.8.62 13.10.88

Coburg Tigers 4.5.29 5.5.35 11.8.74 14.10.94

Goals

Sandringham Petterd Sautner 4 Holland 2 Biddlecombe Crowe Summers

Coburg Tigers Tivendale 6 Collard 2 Caruso Horne Hughes King Oakley-Nicholls Shelton

Best

Sandringham Biddlecombe Summers C Liddell Gallagher Holland Meesen

Coburg Tigers Tivendale Rance Horne Shelton Hyde Graham

The reserves were well beaten by the unbeaten ladder leaders but are certain to play off in the finals. Andy McConell was the team’s standout player.

Sandringham 2.1.13 3.2.20 3.4.22 5.7.37

Coburg Tigers 5.5.35 9.9.63 12.13.75 16.14.110

Goals

Sandringham Gribbin Sargent Summons Torcasio Weetra

Coburg Tigers Dulic 4 Jones 3 Cattapan Lynch 2 Abdallah Clifton Currie Morgan Trajkovski

Best

Sandringham McConnell Johnson Fleming Cannon Torcasio Tregear

Coburg Tigers Morgan Trajkovski Jones Davis Currie Rayson