CLASSIC IN TASSIE

[Demonland 70,326]

by Nasher (our man on the spot)

The stage was set for an excellent game between two quality VFL teams at Bellerive Oval as Sandringham travelled to Hobart to meet the Tassie Devils on a cold and windy Sunday afternoon. The weather bureau had also forecast rain periods but thankfully the showers held off until late in the game.

Although the conditions might not have seemed conducive to high scoring, the crowd was treated to classic battle in which the Zebras defeated a gallant Tasmania outfit by seven points, 22.8.140 to 20.13.133.

For the second week in a row the Zebras were without their injured and inspirational skipper Chad Liddell and full forward and top VFL goalkicker Nick Sautner led the side out in his place. The team was boosted by the return from injury of Guy Rigoni and David Gallagher was back after a week's suspension and this offset the loss of a few Demon listed players to the AFL to cover Melbourne's injury woes. Young forward Michael Newton was also given an opportunity at senior level for the first time.

The Zebras were eager to atone for last week's shock defeat at the hands of Bayside neighbours Frankston and, knowing that a loss would put them out of the top four, they started the game full of running. It was an usual game in that it was a sea-sawing affair, with each quarter having a half of its own.

Sandy started with a quick takeaway courtesy of a Shane Neaves hitout in the ruck and the first foray forward saw Danny Hughes take the first of many marks for the day which resulted in a goal after he kicked truly from 50 on a 45-degree angle. Curiously, Neaves went off after the first five minutes and Nick Smith took on the ruck duties against North listed giant Brad Moran in what was the beginning of an intriguing battle that lasted all match long.

Chris Johnson started his game very poorly with a kick in to the man on the mark on the half back flank, which resulted in a shot on goal from the Devils, however he was fortunate that the shot missed. Two more goals to Sandy thanks to Sautner saw the Zebras take an early three goal lead but the second half of the quarter was dominated by Tassie whose coach Matthew Armstrong performed his customary switch, putting Jade Rawlings in to defence and Chad Jones in to attack. Jones took several strong marks at centre half forward and was instrumental in setting up goals for the Devils.

The second quarter began as the reverse of the first. Tassie kicked a few quick goals early and looked as if they were about to blow the game apart, having scored three of the first four goals of the term. Thanks to some miserly defence from Chris Lamb and Andy Biddlecombe, and some great clearance work from the midfielders, Sandringham managed to get back on top late in the term. Each side kicked another three goals, including a beauty on the run from Peter Summers, and Sandy, despite the opposition being on top for most of the quarter, somehow held a three-point lead at the main break.

The Devils won most of the clearances early in the third, however it was all to little avail as their bombs forward were constantly being repelled from speedy duo Chris Johnson and Daniel Ward. The latter was dominant in the third quarter and appeared to have the ball on a string, taking a courageous mark running with the flight of the ball, and providing run out of the back line. Chris Johnson received a handball running forward and had a shot from the boundary line 40 metres out. The ball spun over the goal post and was given one behind. The resulting kick-in saw Ezra Poyas chop the ball off and take a mark on the 50-metre line. He immediately passed off to Johnson who had a shot from the same spot as he did minutes earlier, this time kicking truly.

The third quarter was turning into an avalanche of goals, with Hughes kicking another two and it looked like the Zebras were going to run away with the game. Smith was absolutely everywhere, and midfielder Peter Summers seemed to have the ball on a string. Sandy took a handy 25-point lead into the final break.

Tassie was not to be deterred and began the final quarter with two quick goals. The home side had lifted a notch in intensity, and received immediate spark thanks to a Brett Geappen goal from the pocket. The crowd, who had previously been quiet, began a very loud chant, which is invariably a catalyst for a Tassie onslaught when playing at Bellerive. Armstrong once again switched Rawlings and Jones around. Rawlings took two good marks and kicked truly both times. Several Tasmania goals later, including a brilliant snap from Ken Hall, and it looked like the Devils were going to run over the top of a tiring Zebra outfit.

Michael Newton took a mark and kicked his maiden goal in VFL senior company to steady the ship a little for the Sandy. Phil Read, after getting plenty of the ball all game, kicked truly from 45 on the boundary line in a set shot most Demon observers would think was beyond him. Then Poyas took a mark on a half back flank and received a 50-metre penalty, followed by another thanks to Devils veteran Trent Bartlett abusing the umpire in question. Poyas kicked truly from an easy set shot and Bartlett was reported as a result of the incident and charged with allegedly using abusive language. The Zebra lead had been extended to 14 points.

Late in the game Devils’ skipper, former Demon and a Zebra premiership player Ben Beams, kicked a freak goal from the pocket to bring the margin back to seven points but it was a case of too little too late for Tassie and the Zebras held on to win the game.

Nick Smith was dominant in the ruck all day and got plenty of contested and uncontested ball all around the ground. On baller Peter Summers continually won the ball and delivered for the forwards all day, while Danny Hughes was best afield with 6 goals 1 behind in a consistent strong marking performance. Sautner's five goal haul took his season's tally to 21, seven ahead of his nearest rivals in the race for his seventh Frosty Miller Medal for top VFL goal kicker.

Sandringham’s victory sets the scene for another tough battle against the Kangaroos’ other VFL affiliate, the undefeated North Ballarat at Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval next Sunday. The reserves had a bye but will also meet the Roosters in next Sunday’s curtain raiser.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Simon Buckley - played on a half back flank for most of the game but didn’t get in to the play much although showed his pace on a few occasions though. Very much an outside player who did not go near a pack all day.

Daniel Hughes - presented well all day and his conversion was magnificent, kicking 6.1 and his one miss was a tough one from outside 50. When he was not marking it and converting in the forward line he was gathering possessions on the wing and delivering it superbly. Some people have questioned how well he does the "small man" things such as crumbing and general ground level play, and he did not particularly appear to address any of those issues today - all of his goals were from marks or free kicks.

Chris Johnson - kicked in to the man on the mark twice today and he would be disappointed with that. However, he really lifted in the second half, combining with Ward to give run out of defence. Looked extremely dangerous in his brief forays forward.

Nathan Jones - rotated between the middle and a half forward flank. Linked up well in the middle and won his share of the ball because he was always at the bottom of the pack. When he was on a forward flank however, he could not get in to the play.

Shannon Motlop - drifted in and out of the play all day. Chased hard and applied good defensive pressure when in the midfield, but didn't really get enough of it or use it well enough to be damaging.

Shane Neaves - spent the best portion of the game on the bench, and hardly got a notable touch when he was on the ground.

Michael Newton - a fair first up effort, led hard and set up several goals. Took a good mark and kicked a steadying goal in the last half when Tassie were in the middle of their avalanche. A good foundation to build upon.

Phillip Read - won his share of the ball in the middle, however was undisciplined and gave away too many cheap free kicks. Also made several unforgivable clangers that resulted in opposition goals.

Nicholas Smith - played in the ruck all day and was dominant. Got a lot of the ball and took a few strong marks, mostly in the back line and the middle. Knew where to position himself in defence. He was one of Sandy's best although at times showed questionable accountability, with opponent in Roos big man Brad Moran, also racking up countless possessions. Unfortunately still didn't have a lot of presence when going forward.

Daniel Ward - had heaps of the ball, especially in the second half, and put his pace to good use. Made some disappointing disposal errors, but that has always been a weakness for Ward. Courageous as ever in defence.

Matthew Warnock - had a tough day at the office playing on Jade Rawlings, who kicked a bag of five, and was also against Chad Jones at various stages. Well beaten and needs to do a lot better if he is to regain a place at AFL level.

Sandringham 5.3.33 9.5.59 16.8.104 22.8.140

Tasmania 3.6.24 8.8.56 11.13.79 20.13.133

Goals Hughes 6 Sautner 5 Poyas 3 Crowe 2 Gallagher Johnson Motlop Newton Read Summers

Best Smith Hughes Sautner Ward Read Summers