HOWZAT - A HAT TRICK!

by Barry from Beach Road

Another great chapter in the history of the Sandringham Football Club was written on Sunday at MC Labour Oval when it became the first VFL team in over two decades to complete a hat trick of premierships with its magnificent three-goal victory over Geelong in the 2006 TruEnergy Grand Final.

The Zebras followed the usual pattern established in recent grand finals. They controlled the game throughout but, just as the premiership cup seemed within their keeping, they loosened their grasp late in the proceedings and then held on in the manner of all true champions to overcome the opposition surge and to ultimately triumph.

The Zebras kicked with the aid of a strong but swirling wind and opened proceedings in brilliant fashion when a well directed hand pass from half forward Lynden Dunn found Shannon Motlop and the left footer scored the first major of the day. More goals followed to Dunn and Nick Sautner as Sandy skipped to a 21 point lead early in the opening term.

The Cats steadied for two goals in the space of a couple of minutes before the Zebras gained a little momentum late in the quarter with another goal. The quarter time lead of 13 points did not appear to be enough in view of the strong wind advantage they had enjoyed and it would have been even less had Geelong youngster Ryan Gamble not kicked into the man on the mark after the siren had sounded.

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Sandringham's defence has been legendary in recent seasons and it held together magnificently in the second quarter keeping the Cats to just two goals while the Zebras kicked two of their own to maintain a two goal lead at the main break.

Midfielder Phil Read continued on with his sensational form of the past month and was an absolute ball magnet all day leading a dominant midfield brigade of hard workers including Peter Summers, young Nathan Jones and veteran Guy Rigoni who announced his retirement from football after the game. Together they kept up a constant supply of the football to running players in Paul Wheatley, David Gallagher and the ever-elusive and dangerous Shannon Motlop.

Despite the difficult conditions, Sandringham continued to maintain control in the third term and extended its lead to 34 points when Nick Smith kicked a goal on the siren at three quarter time.

The final quarter began as a battle of attrition with both defences well on top and the respective attacks unable to find the big sticks. Sandy had actually increased its lead by a further point as the ten minute mark approached. It looked virtually home and hosed to win its third premiership flag on the trot at that stage.

But football is a funny game and the Cats lifted against the run of play with five unanswered goals in the space of ten minutes. Suddenly, the Zebra lead was less than a goal and Geelong was poised to steal the game. Sandy players were out on their feet with exhaustion and it seemed only a matter of time before their lead would evaporate and take with it their hopes for the season.

And just to underline the funny nature of the game, Sandringham regained the ascendancy through the agency of an unlikely goal kicking hero in defender Andy Biddlecombe. The Zebra back pocket player who made this year’s VFL team of the year in that position hadn’t kicked a goal for more than two seasons when he went forward and took a handpass from courageous skipper Chad Liddell. The ensuing goal saw his team gather a bit of momentum and then he capped it off with a difficult goal from the pocket after receiving a free kick. Biddlecombe’s two goals snuffed out the Geelong resistance and put the game beyond doubt.

Several players were involved in the hat trick of premierships but it was the fifth premiership for full forward Nick Sautner who worked hard to get into shape for the season. The game was a case of déjà vu for the spearhead whose third goal came from an absolute “gimme� of a free kick when a pair of Geelong defenders infringed against him after he had missed an easy snap for goal.

Zebra defenders Ryan Ferguson, Alistair Nicholson and Clint Bizzell were outstanding on the day proving once again that a strong defence is invaluable in the high pressure of finals football.

Sandringham has now collected 10 VFA/VFL premiership cups - 1946, 1962, 1985, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and established an amazing record in that its last seven flags have been achieved at the rate of one every two seasons.

Coach Mark Williams dedicated this latest premiership to Sandringham’s late president Gary Gilchrist who tragically passed away in July. It was a fitting tribute to the tireless leader of a club made up of many dedicated, hard working people who will honour his memory and celebrate this achievement for a long time to come.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Clint Bizzell - a solid game at half back by man who showed all the hallmarks of "the general" of past years. The Biz has had a difficult season with injury but has shown that he still has a role in defence even after a year's lay off. Took a great pack mark at a crucial juncture during the last quarter.

Lynden Dunn - was in everything early but the Geelong defence was on to him and they played him much tighter after the first break.

Ryan Ferguson - had the difficult job of blanketing young Cats' star Nathan Ablett who has been hot during the finals. Not only did he fulfill the task superbly was but he also was brilliant in every facet of his defensive work and was close to his team's best.

Chris Johnson - played a fine game, took some excellent marks and his disposal was generally very good. Should slot into the Demons' team as a regular in 2007.

Nathan Jones - a strong performance both on the ball and was lively up forward, especially in the last quarter when a couple of early snaps at goal could have finished the Cats' campaign 20 minutes earlier had they been accurate.

Shannon Motlop - mercurial, solid ball handler who bobbed up for a couple of nice goals.

Shane Neaves - shaded in the ruck by the stronger bodied Blake but his overall performance was reasonable for a big man on a long learning curve.

Alistair Nicholson - marked and defended strongly for most of the day. Added solidity to an already very effective defensive unit.

Nick Smith - had a good game, marking strongly and kicking a couple of goals. Did well when in ruck.

Phil Read - capped off a sensational season and was in everything. Ended the day with leather poisoning and the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in the grand final.

Matthew Warnock - had a tough job on Kent Kingsley and stuck to the task although the Geelong full forward finished with four for the day.

Paul Wheatley - added a lot of dash to wing with his run and long kicking. His goal in the third quarter from a long way out was an absolute gem.

Sandringham 4.3.27 6.4.40 11.9.75 13.13.91

Geelong 2.2.14 4.3.27 6.5.41 11.7.73

Goals Sautner 3 Biddlecombe Motlop Smith 2 Dunn Gallagher Liddell Wheatley

Best Read Motlop Gallagher Wheatley Summers Nicholson Smith Ferguson Rigoni Liddell

Injury Liddell (face, concussion)

Umpires Mollison Ryan Stewart

Crowd 8,000 (est.) at MC Labour Park