ZEBRAS LIFT A GEAR

[Demonland 70,217]

by Barry from Beach Road

After three narrow wins to open their 2007 campaign, Sandringham lifted a gear on Sunday and punished the Casey Scorpions by 79 points to retain their undefeated record and top position on the TRUenergy/VFL Ladder. The Zebras were simply too strong all over the ground for the Scorpions and produced a dazzling display that was highlighted by a superb nine goal feast in the final term.

A committed Sandy side came out full of running and it gained the early initiative through Shane Valenti and Peter Summers in the middle while, up forward, Michael Newton was in good touch early with a couple of goals to herald an exciting performance from the 20 year old forward. David Gallagher was in everything and the defence stood solid with its usual firmness. The home side led by 25 points at the first break.

The Scorpions worked hard in the second quarter and thanks to some early successful forays forward they managed to stay in touch with their hosts. Sandy was inaccurate in front of goal and this allowed the visitors to narrow the deficit down to just 19 points at the main break.

Zebra skipper Chad Liddell was booked during the second term for allegedly tripping Shane Birss but from my vantage point, it appeared to be more a well-timed smother than anything else. The report put a temporary dampener on things but Sandy continued to display its dominance in the second half with a multifaceted attack that simply blew Casey off the park.

Sandringham finished the game with almost twice the number of entries inside the fifty metre arc as its opponent with Newton booting six majors, Ezra Poyas (making a welcome return to form after injury) ending with five and leading goalkicker Nick Sautner finishing on four. Danny Hughes would have joined them but for the fact that he sprayed the ball everywhere and finished with 1 goal 4 behinds.

Of course, the massive input of the goalkicking forwards would have been impossible without the magnificent contribution of Gallagher and Valenti, both of whom are having stellar seasons. Valenti simply grows in stature every week and if he continues in this vein, higher honours await him.

In the ruck duels, the young pair of Shane Neaves and Stefan Martin shaded their more experienced VFL opponents and gave their on ballers first use of the football.

Sandringham's defence has been a strong point right throughout the Mark Williams coaching era and this week was no exception. Ryan Ferguson in particular was in rare form taking two screamers and covering a lot of ground at half back. He had plenty of assistance from the likes of Chris Lamb, Matthew Warnock and Andy Biddlecombe who were impressive as always while Simon Buckley continues to show improved skills, dash and greater maturity.

Coach Mark Williams would have been very pleased with the way in which his team responded to his three quarter time request to "try to break the game open and work hard." They certainly did that and more finishing the game full off running with nine goals to one in the final term. The team responded to the call so well that the coach was afforded the luxury of taking off two key forwards in Newton and Sautner during the final term and the goals still kept on coming.

The Zebras performance came despite a string of injuries to its AFL aligned partner in Melbourne and augers well for the team's quest for four flags in a row. For the time being however, that thought is being kept out of the players' minds as they face a tough challenge next Sunday against beachside neighbour Frankston at the Frankston City Oval. The Dolphins are improving by the week and will be out to repeat their 2006 performance when they gave the Zebras a drubbing at the same venue just two weeks out from the finals.

ODD SPOT: Although Sandringham leads the competition, it is not the only undefeated team. Williamstown, which had the bye this weekend, has won only once, but drew its two other matches, meaning that the Seagulls also remain undefeated in 2007.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

And then there were ten. Only ten Melbourne listed players were available to play for Sandringham at the weekend. Nine played with the firsts while youngster Heath Neville took his place in the reserves and played impressively to be named in their best players in a good winning performance. Michael Newton showed that he has a liking for the Casey Scorpions booting six goals after kicking four in a cameo performance last year at Casey Fields.

Ben Holland was a withdrawal again with a groin problem while young recruit Isaac Weetra suffered a broken wrist in the reserves last week and will miss a few weeks.

Clint Bizzell - started well and was reasonably solid in defence but the General let himself down with a few unforced errors and might find it hard to force his way back into AFL ranks.

Jace Bode - the rookie had limited game time but was quite lively when given an opportunity.

Simon Buckley – a solid game from the youngster who collected 20 plus possessions and kicked a goal. His delivery under pressure was good and he showed great composure. Not far off getting a run in the red and blue.

Ryan Ferguson – had a great game. Ferg was strong in defence and took a great speccy early on. Marked and punched the ball away at the right times, then capped it all off with a stint up forward for a couple of goals.

Daniel Hughes – lively at half forward but let himself down with poor kicking for goal. He has sticky hands and took eight strong marks. His ground play has also improved.

Shane Neaves – rucked and marked well around the ground. Showed that he is finding his feet in this company and the club will no doubt monitor his development closely with a view to 2008.

Michael Newton – there’s a theory going around that this laconic but talented young forward might have been stung into action this week by the promotion of Colin Garland who is younger and has only been around the club for less than half a year. Newton, in his third season at the club, has always had latent talents that have come to the fore only sparingly. He is a great kick of the football and that skill alone commends him for promotion to a Melbourne side that lacks a forward to deliver the killer punch. He can also take a good grab is and is adequate at ground level. His day must come soon.

Daniel Ward - quiet early and then injured. Did not have a great impact on the game.

Matthew Warnock – a solid game against an undermanned opposition but there are a few ahead of him for higher honours in defence.

Sandringham 6.3.39 8.10.58 12.14.86 21.18.144

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 6.3.39 9.5.59 10.5.65

Goals

Sandringham Newton 6 Poyas 5 Sautner 4 Ferguson 2 Buckley Crowe Liddell Valenti

Casey Scorpions Sweeney 3 Rix Silvagni 2 Birss Harrison Jones

Best

Sandringham Gallagher Valenti Newton Warnock Ferguson Poyas

Casey Scorpions Rix O'Bryan Gwilt Taylor Eddy Harrison

Report

Chad Liddell (Sandringham) for tripping Shane Birss (Casey Scorpions) in the second quarter.

SEEING DOUBLE

The final result of the Sandringham Reserves game against Casey Scorpions was almost identical to that of the seniors as the young Zebras found touch and ran away in the final term to score an imposing 82-point victory.

Former Sandringham Dragons player Rennie Gilchrist continued his impressive early form and along with Daniel Gribbin, was a standout. Tom Paterakis was his usual steady self and Tom Paule also stood out with his terrier like play.

The win sees the Zebra reserves holing on to fifth spot on the ladder with two wins and two defeats at this early stage of the season.

Sandringham 4.5.29 10.8.68 15.11.101 21.19.145

Casey Scorpions 2.6.18 6.7.43 8.11.59 8.15.63

Goals

Sandringham Collyer Gileno Mentiplay Gilchrist 3 Curcio Martyn Monaghan 2 Dean Paterakis Paule

Casey Scorpions Brown 4 Wood Waite Geary Lees

Goals

Sandringham Gilchrist Gribbin Paterakis Paule Collyer Neville

Casey Scorpions Lentini Geary Brown McGrath Scalzo Howard