ZEBRAS WIN TIGER HUNT

[Demonland 73,140]

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham didn't waste any time to effortlessly blow away the Coburg Tigers - its nearest rival for a top two finish – at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday booting nine goals to three in the first quarter. After that, it was a one horse race and, but for a minor shut down in the final quarter the Zebra winning margin could easily have been far greater than 10 goals.

As usually happens, the Zebras gained their drive from the centre bounces with Shane Neaves impressing with his ruckwork and Nick Smith backing him up to the hilt. From there, it was the dominant midfield of Nathan Jones, Shane Valenti, Peter Summers and co who just kept pushing the ball to where winning key forwards Nick Sautner and Brad Miller were literally having a picnic and were well backed up by Rod Crowe. Sautner had seven of his daily return of eight by half time as he sent a number of different mesmerised opponents packing.

There was hardly a poor Zebra performance on the ground in a very even team performance. The defence was headed by Ferguson, Lamb and Biddlecome, who were all brilliant, Nathan Brown and David Gallagher were on top on their wings and Ezra Poyas controlled his position brilliantly. Daniel Bell was strong coming out of the backline even if his opponent was knee high to a grasshopper. Mark Corrigan played another good game in the early part of his comeback and showed that he should be a fixture in the team for the remainder of the season. Chad Liddell led the team from the front and the crowd really loved his goal when he grabbed it out of a pack and waltzed through the goal square for an easy one late in the game.

Although Sautner was the star of the day with eight goals to recapture the lead in the race for the Frosty Miller trophy, it was the carrot topped Matthew Bate who added a touch of brilliance to the game. On that performance it is doubtful that we will see much more of him at VFL level.

Coach Mark Williams wasn’t too concerned at the team’s slowdown in the latter stages of the game when Coburg came back and outscored them. Sandy still had plenty of the play in the final term kicking 4.6 to 6.0 and it was more a sign of how strong an effort his charges had put into the first three quarters. The Tigers had plenty of experienced Richmond listed players and the game was a good solid test of where the Zebras are at this time of the year. In good shape!

The team will have a well-earned rest this weekend with a bye before it enters the run up to the finals. There is a long list of VFL players to choose from and a lot of competition among the Demons for places in their side so it augurs well for the coming months.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Matthew Bate – started on the bench but when he came on he was brilliant at times and set up plenty of scoring opportunities. A must to return to the Demons for next week's game.

Daniel Bell – played on a midget but beat him pointlessly. Tackled strongly (at one stage he had two opponents in terrifying bear hugs in the space of a few seconds) and will get back into the AFL team if he keeps up that sort of form.

Nathan Brown – dominated the wing and half back flank for most of the day and gave great drive although his kicking wasn't always on target.

Ryan Ferguson – a strong showing doing what he does best – defending with courage and doing it so well.

Nathan Jones – continues to step up a notch every week and his claims for selection in the Demons' team are starting to prove irresistible. Tough, hard, relentless and strong inside. Uses the ball very well.

Brad Miller – was one of the dominant players on the ground. Marked and led strongly and kicked well for his four goals. Will be back in town next weekend.

Shannon Motlop – a so so day from Motlop. Menacing at times but didn't do quite enough.

Shane Neaves – another good, strong game in the ruck from the youngster who keeps on improving.

Alistair Nicholson – a bit rusty early but got on top of Stafford who had to be moved to get some of the ball.

Nick Smith – marked strongly around the ground and provided some good back up for Neaves in the ruck.

Matthew Warnock – a nice quiet, unobtrusive game from Warnock but he did what he had to do and appeared to be on top of his man for most of the day.

Sandringham 9.1.55 13.5.83 17.5.107 21.11.137

Coburg Tigers 3.4.22 4.5.29 6.5.41 12.5.77

Goals Sautner 8 Miller 4 Crowe Poyas 2 Brown Corrigan Liddell Summers Valenti

Best Miller Ferguson Bell Sautner Brown Summers

The reserves played their third close match in four weeks and had plenty of opportunities to win this time but had to settle for a draw in the end. Leigh Fletcher and Kenton Hall provided lots of drive all day and Michael Newton was the pick of the forwards with four goals although he appeared to injure an ankle going for a speccie late in the game. Daniel Corp showed sound form coming back from injury as did Clint Bizzell who got better as the game went on. Daniel Hughes was good in patches while Brent Moloney made his comeback with a solid first half. He is set to play the full four quarters next Saturday against the Casey Scorpions in a game which could also see the return of St. Kilda's walking accident about to happen Justin Koschitzke.

Sandringham 2.1.13 5.5.35 7.8.50 10.14.74

Coburg Tigers 1.6.12 4.9.33 7.13.55 10.14.74

Goals Newton 4 Corp Hughes 2 Ott Johnston

Best Fletcher Hall Corp Bizzell Fleming Newton