ZEBRAS MAKE WERRIBEE HOME

[Demonland 73,140]

by Barry from Beach Road

The Sandringham Football Club is starting to make winning games at Chirnside Park a habit. Last year, the Zebras travelled there to take on Werribee at a time when they were clinging to a top four spot and they hit the home side hard early in the match before a stirring Tiger comeback almost stole the points away from them. Sunday's game followed almost the same script with Sandy quickly out of the blocks to lead by 19 points at quarter time and by 53 at the long break. After that, it was Werribee who fought hard to get back into the game but all to no avail - the Zebra lead was far too great and the resolve of the visitors was far too strong.

Sandringham laid the foundation for its victory in the opening ten minutes when it won the early arm wrestle with its superlative defence taking complete control. Ben Holland was stationed at centre half back and he was in magnificent marking form helped by the fact that, although not a single Tiger forward could match him for height, the home side kept bombing the ball up in the air allowing him to put his considerable aerial talents on display. He was flanked by a dominant pair in Daniel Ward and Chris Johnson who ran through the defensive lines creating many attacks with their style and flair. In the last line of defence, Chris Lamb stopped anything that managed to get past the half back line and he was capably assisted by Ezra Poyas and Andy Biddlecombe. The team hardly missed the courage of skipper Chad Liddell at all after he was injured early in the game while performing his usual Anzac-like heroics in a pack.

The midfield was dominated by Phil Read and Shannon Motlop. Read was tough and uncompromising while Motlop was ever so skilful and mesmerised the Werribee on ballers. They were well supported by Peter Summers, Matthew Bate, Nathan Jones, Shane Valenti and occasionally Guy Rigoni who together fed the forward line well, particularly in the first half. The ruck duels were also won by the Sandringham pair of Shane Neaves, who impressed with his bulk, size and marking on senior debut, and Nick Smith who played what was probably his best game in Sandringham colours (even if those colours were the alternative predominantly sky blue strip).

Sandy also had a winning pair on the wings in David Gallagher and the super fast Simon Buckley while Daniel Hughes continued to impress on a flank. Nick Sautner was in his element early but finished with just three goals after being double-teamed for much of an unproductive second half. One of the highlights of the forward line was the athleticism and mobility of Lynden Dunn at half forward. The youngster kicked two goals and was responsible for a few more as he often ran rings around the opposition defenders.

Werribee counter attacked strongly when kicking with the aid of the breeze in the third quarter and scored four goals in the opening five minutes to cut Sandy's lead in half before the Zebras again regrouped and managed to stave off any further Tiger advances thanks again to that resolute defence. The last quarter remained a battle of the defences and, although it was Werribee that was finishing the better, Sandringham never looked in real danger and ran out 19-point winners. If there was one concern, it was described by coach Mark Williams who said after the game that "we ran out of legs a bit in the end."

It was pleasing however, that for the most part, the team managed to control the play on a ground the size of Chirnside Park and one that is widely regarded as a graveyard for visiting teams.

That is clearly no longer the case where Sandringham is concerned and I reflected on this on my way out of the ground recalling that a little way down the road, down at the Werribee zoo, there is a herd of zebra who happily roam the wide open spaces and, if they could talk, they would also call this place home.

NICK SAUTNER

Congratulations to Nick Sautner who played his 175th VFL match in this game and thereby earned a well deserved Life Membership of the VFL.

Sautner has played in Sandringham's last four premierships (1997, 200, 2004-5) and won the Frosty Miller Medal as leading goal kicker in the competition six times in a row from 1999-2004. After being restricted with injury for much of 2005 he worked hard over the pre season and has returned looking superbly fit recording 14 goals in the opening three rounds.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED - with thanks to Axis of Bob (formerly known as Spunjy)

Matthew Bate - just went this week and was nowhere near the damaging player he has been in recent games. He used the ball pretty well, but just didn't get a hell of a lot of it. Looked dangerous when he went forward.

Simon Buckley - again, didn't get a great deal of it, but he is a beautiful kick and is genuinely good on both sides of the body. In fact, it's unusual to see a late developer who is such a skilled player on both sides.

Lynden Dunn - keeps getting better. Was on Bulldog listed player McGuinness in the first half and killed him (especially in the 2nd quarter). McGuinness was good when moved forward after half time, and Dunn got another Bulldog in Garth who was a stronger body. Dunn ran him and beat him on the lead many times, but Garth was better one on one. He has now become the Sandy CHF, after spending his past games as a bench/forward pocket.

Ben Holland - you would think they'd learn after he took his first 10 marks, but still Werribee kept kicking the ball long to him and he kept on marking the pill. He would have had about 15 marks for the game, I'd guess. Used the ball well, too. Definitely BOG.

Daniel Hughes - didn't do a great deal although he won more of the ball one the ground than he usually does, which is a real positive for him. Kicked a goal.

Chris Johnson - excellent game from Chris. Took some good marks, was strong at the ball and used it so well off half back. A very promising game in that the style of game he played was a strong defensive game which included him winning a lot of the ball, rather than solely an attacking game. Impressive.

Nathan Jones - struggled to really get into the game. Obviously a good player, and is doing some good things, but just not enough. I suppose I'm rating him hard because I do rate him, but he's not quite up to promotion yet.

Shannon Motlop - a quality player at this level. Steps this way, that way, spins, then runs away once his pursuers trip over themselves. Was especially good in the first half (as it was with most Sandy players) where his creativity helped break up the play.

Shane Neaves - I liked his game. Looks to be better around the ground and took some strong grabs, including one that resulted in a goal. Tap work was good and I think it was a good step into VFL football for him.

Phil Read - started like a house on fire with his attack on the ball and clean hands. Was especially effective in the first quarter where Sandy had the ascendancy going into a stiff breeze. Faded towards the end of the game.

Nick Smith - with PJ out, and Neaves still young, he played a lot of his time in the ruck. When he did he was excellent, with good tap work and did very well around the ground. Took marks and read the play very well.

Daniel Ward - played a typical Wardy VFL game. Played, more or less, on the wings where he used his obvious pace advantage and was good.

Sandringham 4.4.28 9.9.63 12.10.82 12.13.85

Werribee 1.3.9 1.4.10 6.9.45 9.12.66

Goals Sautner 3 Dunn 2 Bate Holland Hughes Neaves Read Summers Ward

Best Holland Biddlecombe C Johnson Motlop Ward Smith

Reported D Gallagher (Sandringham) striking

LADDER

W L D FOR AGST % PTS

N. BALLARAT 3 0 0 394 242 162.8 12

SANDRINGHAM 3 0 0 329 204 161.3 12

N'THERN BULLANTS 2 0 0 187 122 153.3 8

TASMANIA 2 1 0 286 219 130.6 8

WILLIAMSTOWN 2 1 0 255 249 102.4 8

WERRIBEE 1 2 0 333 295 112.9 4

FRANKSTON 1 1 0 205 184 111.4 4

COBURG TIGERS 1 2 0 301 284 106.0 4

CASEY SCORPIONS 1 1 0 165 205 80.5 4

PORT MELBOURNE 1 2 0 290 362 80.1 4

GEELONG 1 2 0 282 353 79.9 4

BOX HILL HAWKS 0 3 0 203 325 62.5 0

BENDIGO BOMBERS 0 3 0 237 423 56.0 0

SANDY RESERVES HOLD ON by The Zebra

A six goal opening quarter highlighted by a strong performance at centre half forward from Michael Newton helped Sandringham reserves to take a 35 point lead into the first break at Chirnside Park on Sunday. While Werribee bounced back with the aid of the wind in the second term the home side was never able to bridge the gap and Sandy held them off in the last quarter to record a 10 point win and reclaim a place in the top five after last week's disappointment at the hands of Box Hill.

Marc Johnston again played a fine game on the ball and he had plenty of helpers in the form of the busy Andrew Fleming, Daniel Corp and Leigh Fletcher. Mark Gibb was again solid in defence which was aided by a very solid performance from Heath Neville who looks to be going places in football.

Steven Ott did a sterling job in the ruck while Vaughn Evans made a pleasing return after a long lay off with injury.

The reserves take on Frankston this Sunday in what will be a tough test against a team that handed them a flogging a Frankston City Oval early in the practice match series. The young Zebras will be out to show they have improved greatly on that performance.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED - with thanks to Axis of Bob (formerly known as Spunjy)

Daniel Bell - only played the first half, but looked good throughout. Was involved in some strong contests and I hope he has pulled up OK.

Jace Bode - also only played the first half. Some smart bits of play playing mainly half back/half forward. I don't know if the rest was preplanned or injury related, however he didn't appear to come off injured.

Andre Gianfagna - played like a left footed wingman, but showed more strength at the ball than he has in the past. Very neat left foot kick and used his pace to wheel onto to it and out of trouble on many occasions. Was very important late in the game with his running through the middle.

Heath Neville - this was the first time I've seen him and he was very strong, with clean hands and excellent overhead. Still looks to be working his way into the game after a long layoff and came off with cramp late, before taking a strong mark up forward upon his return to the field. Looks to be a leader too.

Michael Newton - I was very impressed in that he now looks to be a real go to player. Last year he just floated in and out of the play, but is now presenting hard and commanding the ball. Kicked goals, but missed a lot of shots finishing with 4 goals 6 (after 1.5 last week) but some were from difficult angles and a long way out. Executed a couple of quality smothers and chases and can't be too far away from a promotion on that form he showed. One thing that still irks me is that he can drift off after making an effort and watch the play, which seems to be more of a concentration thing - but he's improving.

Sandringham 6.2.38 7.7.49 11.13.79 12.16.88

Werribee 0.3.3 4.6.30 7.9.51 11.12.78

Goals Newton 4 Fleming Mentiplay 2 Bell Corp Semmel Turcarelli

Best Johnston Neville Corp Newton Fleming Fletcher

Reported

Kris Thompson (Werribee) wrestling

Michael Newton (Sandringham) wrestling

LADDER

W L D FOR AGST % PTS

WILLIAMSTOWN 2 0 0 289 65 444.6 8

FRANKSTON 2 0 0 258 86 300.0 8

CASEY SCORPIONS 2 0 0 205 184 111.4 8

BOX HILL HAWKS 2 1 0 304 287 105.9 8

SANDRINGHAM 2 1 0 257 263 97.7 8

N'THERN BULLANTS 1 1 0 185 181 102.2 4

WERRIBEE 1 2 0 286 319 89.7 4

COBURG TIGERS 1 2 0 280 353 79.3 4

BENDIGO BOMBERS 1 2 0 226 330 68.5 4

PORT MELBOURNE 0 2 0 165 223 74.0 0

N. BALLARAT 0 3 0 176 340 51.8 0