WIN AFTER A STRUGGLE

[Demonland 73,265]

by Ice Station Zebra

Sandringham has never found the going easy at Werribee's Bartercard Oval and Sunday's game against the Tigers was no exception. At half time the Zebras were struggling but with Nick Sautner doing the job at full forward and Shane Valenti on top in the midfield, they rose to the occasion and held off a dogged Werribee combination to prevail by 12 points and claim top spot on the ladder.

The injury crisis at Melbourne left the defending premier with a weaker team on paper but it gave the Zebras an opportunity to show off the playing depth of their list. Into the side came Peter McGettigan and newcomer Stefan Martin who impressed playing a secondary role in the ruck to Demon rookie Shane Neaves. Sandy also lost Peter Summers but he was replaced by the experienced Andy Biddlecombe.

Sandy opened with the advantage of two or three goal breeze but a combination of errant disposal and a poor choice of options had them lucky to be in front by five points at the first break.

The story was no different in the second quarter and Werribee held a six point lead at half time. Sandy was being well served by Sautner who had three goals to the main break despite some close attention from the Tiger defence. Valenti, in the absence of Summers, was providing a good contest around the stoppages and, as always, Chris Lamb very steady down back.

Sandringham's third quarter was a little more impressive with the team's better use of the wind well to kick four goals to two to snatch back the lead at three quarter time thanks to some inaccurate kicking for goal by Werribee.

The job was still ahead of the team with just a three point lead and kicking into a gusty breeze but Sandy responded well to Mark Williams' call for calm approach by kicking five straight (two from Sautner) of the first six goals to hold on as the Tigers kicked two late goals to close. One of the few highlights of the day was a brilliant effort from David Gallagher to slip through traffic and kick a sealing goal.

After the game, the coach was quoted as follows,

"We won the game between the 10 and 20-minute marks in the last quarter, our best quarter.

"Our experienced players stood up when we needed them.

"We have high expectations of our young fellows and I was disappointed in some of their games today."

Sandy's best were Valenti who although small in stature is progressing in leaps and bounds at the club, Clint Bizzell for his steadiness at half back and Rod Crowe at centre half forward. Both Johnston boys impressed again while Chris Johnson was solid and Ricky Petterd showed that he has a future in the game.

Peter McGettigan and newcomer Stefan Martin who impressed playing a secondary role in the ruck to Demon rookie Shane Neaves.

The Zebras are away again this Sunday when they take on the Bendigo Bombers. Supporters should note the new venue for the game is Windy Hill at Essendon. Seniors at 2.00pm, Reserves at 11.20am.

RESULTS

Sandringham 5.3.33 7.7.49 11.10.76 16.10.106

Werribee 4.3.27 8.7.55 10.13.73 13.16.94

Goal Kickers:

Sandringham: Sautner 6 Dunn 2 Gallagher Liddell Pickett Newton Johnston Bizzell McGettigan Valenti

Werribee: Baird 2 Robbins 2 Castello 2 Harbrow 2 Williams Young McDougall Skipper Robinson

Best:

Sandringham: Valenti Bizzell Crowe Petterd Gallagher Johnson

Werribee: Pask Gleeson Skipper Barham Williams Furfaro

YOUNG ZEBRAS ON TOP

Sandringham's reserves broke the ice with a solid 33 point victory over Werribee.

The victory was set up by a six goal second quarter. Stalwart Tom Paterakis led the way while Phil Zarra from the Dragons was among the goals again with three. Kenton Hall, another experienced reserves player, was in fine forward Daniel Gribbin showed he is improving rapidly.

The win puts the Zebras in fourth place on the ladder.

RESULTS

Sandringham 2.0.12 8.5.53 11.11.77 14.16.100

Werribee 3.2.20 6.2.38 10.6.66 10.7.67

Goal Kickers:

Sandringham: Zarra 3 Gileno Neville Paterakis 2 Collyer Dean Dunne Hughes Paule

Werribee: Batchelor Kenelley Penny Twomey 2 Rockefeller Thompson

Best:

Sandringham: Paterakis Gribbin Hall Neville Dean Curcio

Werribee: Rockefeller Chisholm Hahn Mentha Penny Batchelor