MISSING THE POINT

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham threw away four premiership points with some sloppy kicking, particularly in front of goals, in their Round 18 clash with Geelong on Sunday. The inaccurate Zebras held a three point lead at half time but managed only four goals from eighteen shots after the main break to go down by a solitary point 11.22.88 to the Cats' 13.11.89.

It was an undermanned Sandy side that took the field in the wake of the sudden explosion in its AFL partner's injury list which saw a number of regulars gain promotion to the Demons' team that took the field against the Swans the previous day. The team's woes were further added to by the late withdrawal of David Gallagher.

Despite this, the Zebras opened strongly with the wind although they failed to make the most of their opportunities in the early phase of the game. Nick Sautner was on song kicking the first three goals but Geelong regrouped as the quarter wore on and would have been satisfied to hold the home side to a 14 point lead at quarter time. After an early second quarter goal to Sandy, the Cats took control with their winning rucks and more direct kicking for goal. They booted five unanswered goals before the Zebras fought back with a couple of late goals just before half time.

Sandringham's inaccuracy in the third term proved fatal with a yield of just 1 goal 7 behinds against the visitors' 2.4 which left the teams level at the final break, the Cats kicking with the aid of reasonably stiff breeze. Geelong took control early in the last with three goals inside ten minutes but then the Zebras came back with some strong play. Had they kicked more accurately, they could have run all over the Cats but, in the end, a missed shot from 40 metres by skipper Chad Liddell which failed to score at all, proved to be the end of the team's run for the day.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, the game showed that the team has an immense reservoir of fighting spirit and plenty of depth among its VFL listed players. Mark Corrigan got plenty of the ball in a midfield which boasted some very effective players led by the nuggetty Phil Read who tackled and harassed his opponents all day, Guy Rigoni, Peter Summers and Shane Valenti. They had to fight for the ball a lot harder than usual because the Geelong ruckmen were in front of the normally reliable Shane Neaves and Nick Smith in the ruck. Down back Matty Warnock and Andy Biddlecombe were solid, Daniel Bell was super aggressive and often ferocious while Chris Lamb was steady as ever.

The forwards line did not function as cohesively as it normally does and this was evident once Cats' defender Lonergan went onto Sautner. Ezra Poyas was strong up forward while Daniel Hughes came on and started brightly with a couple of goals before lapsing with his kicking and finishing with 2 goals 4 behinds.

Sandy is likely to face Geelong in the first week of the finals and, provided that by then the injury woes have cleared up, it should field a much stronger side for that encounter. For the moment however, they should not get ahead of themselves and they face a difficult assignment next week at Frankston against the team which inflicted their fits defeat on them at home earlier in the season.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Bell, Daniel - a strong game marred by a few errors in judgement but impressed with some much improved disposal over his efforts against Carlton last week. Used his pace and strength to advantage with an aggression packed performance. Close to his team’s best.

Bizzell, Clint - still finding his legs after a long lay off and needs more games in him before he can be considered a contender for a senior position.

Bode, Jace - had little game time but when on, he showed a fair bit of balance and composure in a midfield role.

Hughes, Daniel - started on the bench but did well up forward when he came on. He marked strongly and did well around the ground but blotted his copy book with four consecutive behinds after kicking straight with his first two shots at goal.

Neaves, Shane - ruckwork and around the ground disposal were disappointing this week.

Newton, Michael - another who started on the bench. Copped a bit of a knock to the head late in the first quarter and was used sparingly after that. Had a brief purple patch in the last quarter with a couple of strong marks and some excellent play which set up goals late in the game but was off again at the end. Would like to see him play a full game at this level.

Nicholson, Alastair - put in a typical Nicho performance blanketing Nathan Ablett and punctuating what might have been a very good game with some real Nicho bloopers.

Read, Phil - was his usual intimidating self. Was in everything early, playing a solid game around the ball and could possible press for AFL selection depending on who's coming back this week.

Smith, Nick - beaten in the ruck duels but was fine around the ground taking some sold marks, particularly late in the game when the team was coming back.

Warnock, Matthew - a solid effort down back. Showed out with pace at times but wasn't spectacular.

Wheatley, Paul - a bit hot and cold on the day and was going reasonably before copping what appeared to be a knee to the back just before the siren went to end the third quarter and didn't reappear.

Sandringham 4.5.29 7.8.50 8.15.63 11.22.88

Geelong 2.3.15 7.5.47 9.9.63 13.11.89

Goals Sautner 4 Poyas 3 Hughes 2 Corrigan Read

Best Bell Read Rigoni Warnock Biddlecombe Summers

The Zebra Reserves had a timely win over Werribee at Chirnside Park on Saturday to go a game and some percentage clear of the Coburg Tigers. With only two games to go, the young Zebras have an excellent opportunity to hold onto a place in the top five after a rather turbulent mid season which saw them lose a few games by narrow margins and suffer a thrashing in the frigid conditions at Ballarat.

Kenton Hall and defender Mark Gibb were the standouts while Demon Brent Moloney, recovering from a groin problem, saw out a little more than half a game in his bid to gain some fitness as the home and away season nears its end.

Sandringham 3.5.23 8.8.56 11.13.79 17.16.118

Werribee 3.3.21 6.5.41 10.9.69 15.10.100

Goals Gullifer 3 Buckley Corp Goold Lockwood Martyn Mentiplay 2 Johnston Paule

Best Hall Gibb Martyn Goold Gullifer Martin