ICED

by The Zebraman

There is no tougher visit on the VFL calendar than a trip to Ballarat in mid July when the icy cold winds come off the ranges and it doesn't stop raining all day. That was the scenario that Sandringham confronted at Austar Arena on Saturday and to its credit, it managed to come away with a hard fought 23-point victory over North Ballarat to retain its grip on second position on the VFL ladder.

The conditions were difficult, the surface slippery and wet and Sandy began well against the wind which would have been a relief to coach Mark Williams in view of previous sluggish starts in wet conditions earlier in the season. The cause was not helped by the loss before the game of Demon pair Nathan Brown and Matthew Warnock to illness and injury respectively leaving a gaping hole in his team's defence.

Young Demon rookie Jace Bode stepped into one of those gaps in his senior debut and came under notice early when he slipped through from defence into attack to boot Sandy's first goal. Ruckman Shane Neaves was making a welcome return after missing two games through injury and was in control of the rucks early generating great drive. The Zebras had three goals on the board and although it was early in the piece, they had achieved a significant lead – enough to enable them to keep the Roosters at arm's length with the opposition rarely threatening all day. The quarter time lead was 11 points and that was stretched by a further three points at the main break.

The star of the day was the prolific Phil Read who amassed 25 disposals for the day. He led a very strong midfield with Nathan Jones, Guy Rigoni, Peter Summers and Shane Valenti displaying some good in and under work in conditions that suited their style of play. Jones in particular showed a mature football brain and was very impressive around the ground while Shannon Motlop revelled in the conditions with his good disposal skills.

The game also marked an excellent senior return game from Mark Corrigan who showed great promise after missing more than twelve months through a knee injury.

It was certainly not a day for forwards as the teams slogged it out in worsening conditions as the game wore on. Nick Sautner struggled up forward for the visitors while at the other end of the ground, Saverio Rocca, who kicked 10 goals the last time he ran out against the Zebras (in 2005 when playing for Port Melbourne) was starved of opportunities by Chris Lamb who was capably assisted by Ryan Ferguson, Chad Liddell, Daniel Bell and Andy Biddlecombe in defence. Rocca ultimately had to go onto the ball to get some of the ball and finished the game without a goal.

Sandy retained its 14 point lead through to the final break David Gallagher and Ezra Poyas were showing their opponents a clean pair of heels and it was Poyas who ultimately put the game beyond doubt with a mark and goal halfway through the final term.

The team will hopefully return to friendlier conditions this weekend when it meets the well credentialled Coburg Tigers at Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval. The Tigers are in fourth place on the VFL ladder and will test the Zebras in the week before the break for a bye.

Sandringham 3.0.18 4.5.29 5.8.38 7.10.52

North Ballarat 1.1.7 2.3.15 3.6.24 3.10.28

Goals Summers 2 Bode Gallagher Poyas Smith Valenti

Best Read Jones Summers Valenti Biddlecombe Motlop

The reserves had a day to forget with an early morning start arriving in Ballarat at 8.45am after a 90 minute drive from Melbourne. They had barely thawed out for the 10.10am start and with Marc Johnston having to take his place in the senior team and Clint Bizzell confined to the first half only, the team was in trouble before the game started. The early loss of Andre Gianfagna (shoulder) and Tom Mentiplay (hamstring) didn't help and the Zebras simply couldn't switch on. Guy Martyn kicked the team's first goal in the final quarter. By that time, the team was literally gone and North Ballarat swept to a 95-point victory.

Sandringham 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 1.1.7

North Ballarat 2.7.19 4.10.34 6.15.51 14.18.102

Goal Martyn

Best Martyn Fletcher Paterakis Evans Nicholson Lockwood