ZEBRAS WITH COURAGE

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham prevailed over freezing cold, the loss of players promoted to play AFL and to injury to achieve a famous victory over the Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields in Cranbourne yesterday. It was the first time in the very brief history of the new venue that the locals lowered their colours to a visiting side and the Zebras managed to achieve this feat with a five goal win after a brilliant final quarter saw them pile on seven goals to two despite having the bare 18 fit men to see out the game.

Casey Fields is an inhospitable place when the chill winds come in direct from the south and bring with them occasional showers of drizzle in dimming light. Your fingers freeze together and your mind is numbed. It’s a place of contradictions; where a year ago only cows grazed but yesterday it was as if hell had frozen over, a place where the only dry area was the wet area under cover of the brand new grandstand.

The game was, for the most part, as dull as the weather conditions on this bleak Sunday afternoon. There were plenty of mistakes from all participants including those officiating (on balance that helped the visitors on the day but well, it happens doesn’t it?) and these involved some undisciplined play from members of both teams that saw a number of goals given away by means of the dreaded fifty metre penalty.

Sandringham was unbalanced before the game as it lost three Melbourne emergency players who were presumably called up for duty in the AFL. This paved the way for the senior VFL debuts of two youngsters in former Sandringham Dragon Peter McGettigan and Demon rookie Andre Gianfagna and the return of Andy Biddlecombe from a broken jaw incurred behind the play in Tasmania a month ago.

The Zebras were fast out of the blocks despite kicking into a biting southerly wind that was sweeping in from the Antarctic. Shane Neaves was in control of the rucks and Nick Smith was in strong marking form up forward as he opened the Zebras account. Halfway through the opening stanza he had his second and Shannon Motlop had also notched a major from outside 50 as the visitors were nicely placed holding a two goal lead. The Scorpions regrouped and started to use the wind and the ground better and, with the aid of a couple of late goals, managed to nudge their way to the front by quarter time.

Sandy made hard work of it for most of the second quarter, but with Smith in fine marking form and Jones winning the ball well at ground level, they took advantage of a five minute purple patch to take four goal lead as time on approached. Casey lifted just before half time to narrow the gap to 19 points at the break.

The third term was Casey’s best as the Scorpions took advantage of their local knowledge to peg back the Zebra lead. They hit the front before the 20 minute mark of the quarter thanks to some strong contested work in the packs but Sandy, already under fire on the injury front, regrouped and fought back to hold the home side in the vital last ten minutes of the quarter to trail by just three points at three quarter time as the heavens opened up, not for the first time in the afternoon.

Normally, you would be confident coming home with the aid of a strong breeze but on this day, it seemed that the football gods were against the Zebras. As the afternoon had worn on, one Zebra after another had gone down with injury and as they went into the huddle it was clear that four of them - Peter Summers (hip), Chad Liddell (eye), Ezra Poyas (thigh) and Guy Rigoni (ankle) – were spent for the day.

The last quarter began with an early Sandy goal but the Scorpions replied with a magnificent goal of their own from deep in the forward pocket at a convenient moment when the wind seemed to drop and the entire region suddenly seemed becalmed.

The Zebras were under the pump but it was time for the midfield, headed by Jones and first year player Shane Valenti to lift as did the wind. So too did the courageous Biddlecombe who, with Chris Lamb tightened up the defence. David Gallagher, who earlier had let himself and his team down with some undisciplined play giving up a couple of goals through 50 metre penalties, atoned for his indiscretions with some inspired football. Colin Sylvia, who was hot and cold all day, turned up the heat with some devilish tackling and a strong pack mark for a goal, Demon rookie Danny Hughes was strong on a flank and, another Demon youngster, Michael Newton, relishing the role of third tall on the forward line, kicked a couple including one from a step ladder high mark that had to be seen to be believed.

The Zebras ran out comfortable winners in the end and go into the split round in second place and with the knowledge that their next two games are to played on home territory in sunny Sandringham.

Coach Mark Williams would no doubt be pleased with the strong performance of his team when it was under fire. Particular mention must go to a couple of youngsters in Valenti (9 games) and defender Daniel Corp (six) along with Rod Crowe and Andy Biddlecombe who steadied the ship when the team was in danger. Coming back from a broken jaw, Biddlecombe set the tone with his courage and his attack on the ball near the fence in the third term would have served as inspiration for his team at the very moment when the game was in the balance. It is not for nothing, that Sandringham has been a pace setter in the VFL for the past two or three years.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED (with thanks to Axis of Bob)

Ryan Ferguson - played at CHB for the most part of the day and was effective enough, especially in the middle parts of the game. His disposal at times let him down, but was solid defensively and typically courageous.

Andre Gianfagna - had limited game time and got into the action later in the game. Appeared to have the role of curbing the dangerous Matthews in the last quarter and was reasonably effective.

Daniel Hughes - played much further up the ground this week as Sandy lost run in the middle through injuries. Won his fair share of the ball, playing the wing like a flanker. It would be beneficial for his development to play more footy up the ground, and he showed that there is something to work with here.

Nathan Jones - impressive in the midfield winning a lot of the ball. Showed very clean hands where others fumbled in slippery conditions, which was impressive. Used the ball very well, including an excellent left foot goal from the boundary.

Shannon Motlop - probably not his best day, as he had limited impact, aside from a couple of goals. Needs to win a lot more of the ball to push his name in from of the MFC selectors, rather than the cameos that he is playing now.

Shane Neaves - continues to improve and again showed excellent signs. Took several strong marks, showed some good tap work, worked hard and delivered the ball very well. Certainly looks to be showing an increased willingness to get involved around the ground, which, combined with good tap work, form an exciting prospect.

Michael Newton - limited game time early but showed out in the second half with a wonderful little cameo. Gave the Zebs the spark they needed in the third and final quarters that got them going after the game appeared to be plodding along. Took a ripping hanger in the last.

Nick Smith - started like a house on fire out of a forward pocket, and did some damage on the scoreboard. Looks to be presenting much more ferociously at the ball and took some excellent pack marks under pressure. Was a real focal point, although he did fade a little towards the end.

Colin Sylvia - did some very good things, but didn't dominate. Took some very strong grabs and won some good, hard possessions, but didn't win a great deal of the ball. Copped some heavy knocks, but still managed to finish off the game well which is a positive sign.

Paul Wheatley - had his colours lowered on the day when playing deep in defence, being exposed at times in one on one contests. Moved out to half back and was much more comfortable there in the last quarter.

Sandringham 3.2.20 8.7.55 11.8.74 18.12.120

Casey Scorpions 3.4.22 5.6.36 11.11.77 13.12.90

Goals Smith 4 Gallagher Newton Sautner Sylvia 3 Jones Motlop

Best Corp Lamb Valenti Gallagher Smith Crowe

RESERVES STRIKE

Sandringham reserves atoned for last week’s debacle at the hands of ladder leader Williamstown when they stormed home with the wind in an eight goal final quarter to record a comfortable 53 point victory.

Scott Lockwood and Daniel Turcarelli were the mainstays of the victory and the club would also be pleased with the return to form of Mark Corrigan, Guy Martyn and Tom Paterakis who have all been dogged by injury and have now strengthened the team’s stocks as it enters the second half of the season outside the top five on percentage only.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED (with thanks again to Axis of Bob)

Jace Bode – a good game from half back, providing plenty of run as well as using the ball well in very trying conditions. Showed clean hands and class when winning the ball in defence, especially push out to the wings.

Simon Buckley - won a fair bit of the ball from a wing, and used the ball very well, as we know he can. Still will need time, however, to move up the ranks as there are parts of his game that require fine tuning.

Heath Neville - played out of a back pocket and, while he was very solid defensively and took some very good marks, he isn't giving great amounts of run from defence. This is understandable given that he is only just getting back into footy after OP. Very good one on one and was very cool with the footy.

Sandringham 3.1.19 8.6.54 9.7.61 17.12.114

Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 4.4.28 9.6.60 9.7.61

Goals Corrigan Martyn 3 Fletcher Lockwood Mentiplay Turcarelli 2 Buckey Johnston Tsindos

Best Lockwood Turcarelli Corrigan Johnston Paterakis Bode