LEAVING THE BEST TILL LAST?

[Demonland 73,140]

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham shrugged off the cobwebs of its season from hell and nailed its best performance of the year when it overpowered Frankston in a dazzling second half display sparked by the dominance of a makeshift ruck line up made necessary by injuries to regulars John Meesen (stress fracture in the ankle) and rookie Jake Spencer (glandular fever). Nathan Carroll, who had never played ruck before, was joined by Ben Holland and they were supported by a winning midfield led by Peter Summers, Addam Maric, David Gallagher and Shane Valenti and the forward line brilliance of evergreen spearhead Nick Sautner to record a 58-point win and keep their team's dim hopes alive of playing in this year's finals.

The Zebras have had some gripping encounters with the Dolphins at Kars Street, Frankston and often struggled there even when they were the power of the competition. In a fiery opening, Sautner had the first two goals on the board and was reported for charging Frankston's Byron Barry in a development that places at risk his chances of winning an eighth Jim "Frosty" Miller Medal. He was reported for the same offence early in the season but escaped with a severe reprimand after successfully appealing a one-match suspension. Immediately after this incident, a Frankston player was reported for "pushing/throwing player N. Sautner".

The game continued to bubble over (several fifty metre penalties were paid) and, when the dust settled at quarter time, the visitors led by 13 points thanks to Frankson's inaccuracy in front of goal and some strong defence by the Sandy backmen.

Sautner, whose lead in the "Frosty" had been overtaken and surpassed by a seven goal effort on the previous day by Werribee's James Podsiadly, already had three on the board.

The Dolphins fought back and had the better of their opponents in a tight second term when they narrowed the gap down to a single point at the main break and the scene was set for a tough contest in the second half.

The local crowd was providing a great atmosphere that included a bugler who burst into a shrilled cacophony every time a Sandy player took a shot for goal but the showmanship failed to put Sautner off his game.

His first goal for the second half came from a strong mark not long after Frankston has scored a point to level the scores, The goal also tied him up with Podsiadly on the goal kicking ladder. He soon had two more and Rod Crowe another as Sandy bolted away to a handy lead thanks to the total dominance of the midfield and the brilliance of youngster Jack Grimes who was in everything and produced as polished a quarter as anything seen this year at the Zebras.

Summers, Maric, Gallagher and Valenti were in everything and if it wasn't Sautner doing the finishing, it was the steadiness and poise of Ricky Petterd. Carroll and Holland were dominating around the ground, Crowe was steady up forward and Andy Biddlecombe, Chris Lamb, James Frawley and Kyle Cheney were unstoppable. Chad Liddell and younger brother Brett were solid and youngsters Chris Waller and Rennie Gilchrist were proving dangerous. By the final change the game was all over. Sandringham led by 40 points.

Sandy wasn't prepared to rest on its laurels and, after an early Frankston goal, the afterburners were put on. Sautner kicked his seventh, the goals were shared around and the bugler began playing the Last Post for the home side five minutes before the final siren mercifully put an end to the game for the Dolphins whose fans can count themselves lucky that there was only one tiny scoreboard working at the ground (unfortunate for those who watched the game from where the old stand would have been had it nor burned down earlier this year).

The ninth-placed Zebras are a win behind the Dolphins with the final round to come and are ruing the fact that they have lost all seven games decided by margins of 18 points or less including three by a goal or less. Sandy has a better percentage than Frankston and needs to rely on it losing to Geelong (buoyed by the return of young goal sneak Tom Hawkins) at Skilled Stadium on Saturday morning if it is to have a chance of grabbing eighth spot and a place in the finals.

The final game of the season is the home fixture against North Ballarat which was switched to Sunday by which time both Sautner and the Zebras will know where they stand in their quests for both individual and team glory in 2008. Supporters will be hoping that it will be a case of leaving the best for last and the season will remain alive for the boys from Beach Road.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode - given a tagging role on one of Frankston's gun forwards and did a good job all day - particularly in the last half when he shut him down completely.

Kyle Cheney - played in defence and was in fine form scragging and niggling his opponents as well as showing good run and some fine marking form. Has the occasional brain fade when kicking out of defence but overall, is showing a lot of improvement on his early season performances.

Nathan Carroll - probably best on the ground in his role as an undersized ruckman who got his share of hit outs in a courageous display against taller opponents and simply dominated picking up 24 disposals around the ground.

James Frawley - another improver, Frawley played a fine defensive role and used his height and pace to advantage moving the ball out of the backline. Although not a stylish kick of the football, his delivery was quite effective.

Jack Grimes - solid in the first half and superlative in the second.

Ben Holland - played as a back up in the ruck and was a good foil for Carroll. Also kicked a couple of nice goals.

Addam Maric - spent a lot of time in the midfield where he was busy (30 touches) and highly efficient with his delivery into the forward line.

Ricky Petterd - a real danger man at half forward, Petterd was good in the air, creative around the ground and pinpoint with his 26 disposals including three important goals.

Shane Valenti - had some quiet periods and took some knocks in and around the packs early but really lifted when it mattered and turned in a valuable contribution on the day.

Sandringham 6.3.39 7.6.48 14.6.90 20.10.130

Frankston 3.8.26 6.11.47 6.14.50 9.18.72

Goals

Sandringham Sautner 7 Petterd 3 Crowe Holland 2 Carroll Gallagher Grimes Liddell Poyas Summers

Frankston Berry 2 Dickson Gabriel Kennedy Limbach Lourey Marigliani Morris

Best

Sandringham Carroll Grimes Biddlecombe Gallagher Summers Holland

Frankston Raso Collins Magner Kennedy Berry Proctor

Reported players

Sandringham N Sautner (Sandringham) for charging player B Barry (Frankston) in 1st quarter

Frankston B Dunne (Frankston) pushing/throwing player N Sautner (Sandringham) in 1st quarter

The Reserves match was something of a dead rubber once Box Hill beat Williamstown on Saturday to parcel up third place. Sandy however, managed to win a close one for once and will go into their return bout with the Dolphins with a fair amount of confidence having just beaten them on their own turf. Marc Johnston, down from the seniors, was the standout player and Andrew McConnell booted three goals.

Sandringham 4.2.26 7.4.46 9.7.61 16.8.104

Frankston 3.2.20 6.4.40 8.11.59 14.14.98

Goals

Sandringham McConnell 3 Gileno Hardiman M Johnston Summons Tregear 2 Calder Gribbin Torcasio

Frankston Clark 4 White 3 Barker Corp 2 Comben Davis Willis

Best

Sandringham M Johnston Calder Tregear Monaghan Shakaib McConnell

Frankston Willis Collie Lombardozzi Corp Davis Drake