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

Tivendale kicked 6?

Good to see Petterd with 4 against his name.

Tivendale kicked 6?

And was easily BOG. Go figure!

Good to see Petterd with 4 against his name.

For additional insight into how the Demons went, the following article is currently on the melbournefc.com website:

PETTERD SHINES FOR SANDY

With Adem Yze out of the side, the Zebras fielded only seven MFC players. The Ooze would no doubt have been handy had he played given he amassed 37 possessions a week earlier against the Northern Bullants.

And was easily BOG. Go figure!

For additional insight into how the Demons went, the following article is currently on the melbournefc.com website:

PETTERD SHINES FOR SANDY

With Adem Yze out of the side, the Zebras fielded only seven MFC players. The Ooze would no doubt have been handy had he played given he amassed 37 possessions a week earlier against the Northern Bullants.

Thanks for the link D'land. Yze not playing surprised me. Cheers.

I wonder now that Jack Grimes has played another solid performance and impressing, if they give him a game against Port Adelaide or Richmond?

Surely Petterd would be close this week for Port.

Thanks for the link D'land. Yze not playing surprised me. Cheers.

I wonder now that Jack Grimes has played another solid performance and impressing, if they give him a game against Port Adelaide or Richmond?

Surely Petterd would be close this week for Port.

Melbourne's third greatest games record holder Adem Yze, who was an emergency last round, didn't end up playing for Sandringham against the Coburg Tigers on the weekend, due to a knee problem.

"He had a lump on his knee and it wasn't quite right," Monaghan said. from Garland and White could return for Dees.

Also this startling revelation -

If White doesn't come up due to injury, the Demons could consider ex-Crow John Meesen, who impressed for Sandringham on the weekend, but not developing ruckman Jake Spencer, who remains on the rookie-list.

Also this startling revelation -

If White doesn't come up due to injury, the Demons could consider ex-Crow John Meesen, who impressed for Sandringham on the weekend, but not developing ruckman Jake Spencer, who remains on the rookie-list.

Gulp.... . They may as well give Meesen a go against Port. Let White play against Richmond.

Thanks for the link Pinball Wiz. Interestingly it also said: -

"Jeff missed with a knee problem on the weekend, so Johnny is an option, but the other one who could ruck is Stef Martin," Monaghan said.

"Stef's a possibility because he's rucked at VFL level, although he's been doing really well for us in defence. We're a bit loathe to put him in the ruck, because he's been so good down back."

So, if Garland does come back Stef could be an option for rucking duties.

Andy Lovell's VFL Rd 18: Player Review is now up on melbournefc.com.au

Ricky Petterd - Stats: 15 Possessions, 5 Marks, 9 Tackles, 4 Goals

Ricky played midfield and half forward, which was something different for him after playing a lot of his footy off half back. His attack on the footy was good, and to be able to push forward and kick four goals was a good effort. His work rate dropped off a little bit in the second half, but his first half of football was very good.

John Meesen - Stats: 11 Possessions, 7 Marks, 3 Tackles, 11 Assists

John played his best game since arriving at the Club. He spread from stoppages, and his running was much better. It was a much more confident effort by him, as he just backed his ability, which was encouraging. He also showed more of that competitive spirit which we have been looking for, which is also pleasing.

Can someone please explain to me the 'Assists' stat - in the player review there's about 30 odd assists yet we only kicked 13 goals? My understanding of an assist is its a disposal by the player to another player who kicks a goal, so there should only be 13 assists spread amongst the players.

Andy Lovell's VFL Rd 18: Player Review is now up on melbournefc.com.au

It's an encouraging report from Andy, Bazza. His comment that they had been "looking for competitive spirit" suggests that Meesen's efforts prior to this match had been piss poor.

Hopefully this is the start of him turning the corner.

It's an encouraging report from Andy, Bazza. His comment that they had been "looking for competitive spirit" suggests that Meesen's efforts prior to this match had been [censored] poor.

Hopefully this is the start of him turning the corner.

Lovell's reports are fairly sugary and focus on the upside. The reports on Meesen suggest he is coming off a very low base of performance where the basic fundamentals have been missing.

Weetra will be gone at year end. I dont see much hope for Zomer either.

Lovell's reports are fairly sugary and focus on the upside. The reports on Meesen suggest he is coming off a very low base of performance where the basic fundamentals have been missing.

They're definitely sugary but they don't only focus on the upside. If you read Lovell's reports in recent weeks, he says in a very nice, "sugary" way that Meesen has been crap. He didn't say that this week. There's a lot to be read between the lines from these reports IMO.

I still think it is encouraging that Meesen showed a competitive edge when in previous weeks he has not.

I still think it is encouraging that Meesen showed a competitive edge when in previous weeks he has not.

Agree. Its one less fundamental aspect he is not falling down in. We have him for another 2 years let hope we can get some good football out of him.

Lovell's reports are fairly sugary and focus on the upside. The reports on Meesen suggest he is coming off a very low base of performance where the basic fundamentals have been missing.

Weetra will be gone at year end. I dont see much hope for Zomer either.

They're definitely sugary but they don't only focus on the upside. If you read Lovell's reports in recent weeks, he says in a very nice, "sugary" way that Meesen has been crap. He didn't say that this week. There's a lot to be read between the lines from these reports IMO.

I still think it is encouraging that Meesen showed a competitive edge when in previous weeks he has not.

It's encouraging to read about his improvement on the weekend, but its one game.

I like to hear DB talk about the "educating" of his players. He is big on this and has said this numerous amounts of times. Getting his players to learn and look to improve aspects of their skills and game. We see improvements in Garland, Martin, etc. the "penny may drop" for some earlier than others, hopefully Meesen's "penny" has dropped.

I dont see much hope for Zomer either.

That's what I've been saying since I joined!

Not a good sign if you're 6'6" and get contained by someone Aaron Davey's size who is playing 3rd divvy colts!