CLAWED

[Demonland 73,326]

by Ice Station Zebra

Sandringham paid a heavy price for an abysmal lapse of concentration when it conceded seven goals in less than half a quarter during the second term of its encounter with Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.

The Zebras started well with Shannon Motlop goaling and Nick Smith, who is growing in stature at this level with every passing week, booting two nice goals from centre half forward. By the first break Sandy had every reason to be confident as it doubled the home side’s score to hold a 14 point lead at the first break.

Sandringham went into the game without Guy Rigoni, Matthew Bate and Colin Sylvia from the team selected on Thursday night but was still expected to have sufficient talent to overcome an improving Geelong – even at the Cattery and even when coming off a bye which has always been a danger sign for it in the past.

However, nothing could have prepared the hardy group of Zebra fans in attendance for what was to come at the start of the second term.

The Cats with Blake dominating in the ruck, took control of the midfield and brushed aside their Zebra counterparts to boot seven unanswered goals within a 13 minute period in which the ball rarely went to the Sandy forward line. Such was the frustration of the onslaught that Phil Read found himself reported for allegedly striking one of the Cats as things were going from bad to worse.

The Zebs regrouped slightly to boot a few at the end of the quarter but the damage to their spirits was done. A lacklustre third term in which they kicked just five solitary points to 3 goals 1 behind left them in deep trouble 40 points adrift of Geelong at three quarter time.

Smith in ruck, Peter Summers and David Gallagher all worked hard. Shannon Motlop kicked a few at the end and youngsters in Matthew Warnock, Danny Hughes, Shane Valenti and relative newcomer Daniel Corp worked hard but, in the end, the task was too great and Geelong finished worthy winners by 22 points.

For their part, the Zebras were particularly disappointing. Leading goal kicker Nick Sautner spent the last quarter on the bench and a number of Demon senior list players did little to enhance their prospects of promotion to the AFL team. Sandy held on to second spot but will need to improve enormously if it is to be a serious contender for its third straight VFL title.

This week both seniors and reserves (who had the bye at the weekend) meet tough opposition in Williamstown at Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval and a different attitude is required from the team.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Like their Sandy counterparts, the Demon listed players had a bad day at the office. The only ones who could hold their heads high were Nick Smith, rookie Danny Hughes and Shannon Motlop for his four goals but even his performance was nothing to write home about. Fan braved the elements and provided some of the comments for this week's HTDF segment.

Simon Buckley – an outside player who has struggled to have an influence in recent weeks. Started on the bench and came on quite late in the first, looked good when he had the pill but it wasn’t enough. Query over his decision making which need some work.

Ryan Ferguson – coming off a reasonably lengthy break so we’ll cut some slack here. Had only a few possessions, showed a bit of courage at times but is well behind the three defensive talls in the Melbourne side at this stage.

Ben Holland - started down back and was ordinary and then when Ferg came on in the second was moved forward and took a couple of good marks. Not a great game from Dutchy, just went.

Danny Hughes - a handy game from a young player who seems to be coming back to some form. Played around half forward most of the day and presented well but still has a long way to go.

Nathan Jones - disappointing in that he hasn't dominated a game at this level in the same way that Brock McLean did in his first year and might struggle to play this year for the seniors. Started forward and just didn't find it early but as soon as he was moved onto the ball he did a bit but not enough.

Shannon Motlop - looked good early, went missing when it got difficult and came back quite well in the last with a couple of goals when the game was lost to bring his game goal tally to four.

Shane Neaves - looked quite good around the ground where he found space and disposed of it quite well – particularly early. However, Blake was just to good for him in the ruck which I guess you'd expect. A prospect but will need a few years at Sandy to develop.

Michael Newton - was given precious little time on the ground and, as a result had few possessions. His one good piece of play came where he seemed to be going half pace but found space despite himself and missed what would have been a very good goal. Spent too much time on the pine which is a pity after his eight goal effort in the reserves last week. He is clearly a talented seed in an arid wasteland at the moment but he will learn little sitting on the bench.

Phillip Read – disappointing, undisciplined, lacked purpose and failed to hurt the opposition.

Nick Smith - this was the best I've seen him play for Sandy (although I missed the game a few weeks ago when he was named the best). Started in the forward pocket next to Sautner, marked well and kicked two first quarter goals. He was good further up the ground and I was impressed. He replaced Neaves in the ruck and helped to stem the flow for a while taking some more good marks and rucking quite well. Not certain however, whether it was enough to get a game at AFL level but with Brad Miller out for the next fortnight, you just never know.

Daniel Ward - a good game spoiled by some bad turnovers. Ran, marked and attacked the ball really well and is far to good in all those respects at this level, but just can't finish reliably. I would have liked to see him go into the square in the second to stop the run on. Needless to say he didn't, and we didn't.

Matthew Warnock – couldn't believe it when I saw that he was named first in the Sandringham Football Club official list of best players. Struggled early but worked his way back into it without doing anything particularly impressive.

Paul Wheatley - nowhere near the impact that one would expect from Wheaters at this level. Was out muscled by a no name in the goal square and just seemed to jog around and pick up the odd possession.

Sandringham 4.4.28 8.5.53 8.10.58 13.17.95

Geelong 2.2.14 12.7.79 15.8.98 18.9.117

Goals Motlop 4 Smith 3 Summers 2 Gallagher Holland Hughes Read

Best Warnock Gallagher Summers Smith Corp Hughes

Reported P Read (Sandringham) for striking N. Batchelor (Geelong) in the 2nd Quarter.