by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham made it five wins in a row and a near perfect start for the 2007 season with a four-goal victory over Frankston at the Frankston City Oval on Sunday. The Zebras now go into their first bye and will have a well-earned rest to enable them to focus on the rest of the season.

This was considered a danger game because the Dolphins always play well against their bayside rivals and their home is not a happy hunting ground for Sandy. However, playing in perfect conditions, the Zebras were off to a flyer with young forward Michael Newton in scintillating early form. His three goals in the first term were superb. He presented well, marked well and was always in position to take control of the football. At the other end of the ground Chris Lamb was in fine form. He was switched to full back early after the Frankston full forward kicked a few goals and he controlled the defence for much of the day in a superb defensive display.

Although the Zebras took a 20-point lead into quarter time, the Dolphins struck back with the first three goals of the second term to narrow the deficit to just two points. Sandy, with Chad Liddell showing strong leadership steadied to kick the next two, including Newton’s fourth, to go into the main break 16 points ahead. A measure of Liddell’s inspiration was the fact that he recorded an impressive 13 one per centers for the game.

Sandringham lost big ruckman Jamar to a hamstring injury but Demon rookie Shane Neaves underlined his steady improvement and gave his midfielders led by Peter Summers (33 possessions) an armchair ride. He was strongly assisted by stalwarts Ezra Poyas (also 33) and David Gallagher (23), The Zebras were able to edge forward in the third quarter as Nick Sautner came into the game and thanks to the experience of Daniel Ward, Clint Bizzell (28 disposals) and Ben Holland (24), the visitors held firm to hold a handy 26 point lead at the final change.

The Dolphins showed that they were not going to go down in any way other than fighting and the big home crowd lifted with them as they and kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to get within 14 points. Former Frankston player Ryan Ferguson turned the tide with a goal and that was followed by the sealer from Summers and the Zebras were on their way to a 24-point win.

Zebra coach mark Williams was happy with the outcome and praised the opposition.

"We had to work hard. They pushed us all the way," he said after the match.

By way of contrast to what is happening in the elite competition, the umpires contributed to a good game allowing it to flow and having little impact on the outcome of the contest.

With two strong key position players in Sautner and Newton both on fire up forward, the prospects for the Zebras’ rivals are daunting at this stage of the season.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Clint Bizzell - got plenty of the ball and despite a few glitches, played an important role in his team's victory.

Jace Bode - a bit player on interchange.

Simon Buckley - looked out of sorts and put in a poor game, which is a pity because previously, he was getting close to AFL selection.

Ryan Ferguson - a top game whether in defence or up forward where he went late in the game and capped it off with an important goal against his former side.

Colin Garland - dropped after one AFL game, Garland went into his shell a little and struggled both up forward and in defence. Needs more time.

Ben Holland – a strong performance in which he put his hand up for selection for the Demons but it is unlikely to be this week with the opposition Bulldogs not presenting a viable match up.

Daniel Hughes started on the bench but showed out with pace, strong hands and a couple of nice goals just when they were needed.

Mark Jamar – a hamstring injury put paid to his chances of returning to the AFL in the short term.

Chris Johnson – didn’t do anything outstanding after being dropped from the Demons after their Sydney debacle.

Shane Neaves – is improving with the added responsibility of the first ruck and also did well around the ground. Carried the rucks after Jamar limped off with his hamstring.

Michael Newton - started like a house on fire and then was reasonably well guarded. Presented well for the ball throughout and his presence up forward demanded close attention. When that happened Sautner took over and kicked a few himself. .

Daniel Ward – was one of his team’s best and his experience was invaluable but one wonders whether he can still perform at the highest level.

Sandringham 6.3.39 8.6.54 12.8.80 14.8.92

Frankston 3.1.19 6.2.38 8.6.54 10.8.68

Goals

Sandringham Newton 5 Sautner 3 Ferguson 2 Gallagher Hughes Summers Valenti

Frankston Morris 4 Murray 3 Berry 2 Marigliani

Best

Sandringham Lamb Holland Ward Newton Bizzell Neaves

Frankston Morris Rebeschini Conroy Pollard Magner Kennedy

MUGGED

It was all too much for the Zebra reserves as they faced a Coburg side which was able to include up to a dozen listed Richmond players when the Tigers had a bye in the seniors. With Kent Kingsley, Greg Tivendale and Andy Krakouer dominating, the Tigers ran away in the first quarter, but to their credit the young Zebras never gave in. Such was their persistence that they were only outscored by a single point in the final term.

Tom Paterakis was outstanding with 24 possessions and, on that performance is not far away from senior selction. Livewire little man Tomi Johnston was in everything and showed the benefiot of his early senior games. Daniel Collyer, Ewen McKenzie and Guy Martyn were all impressive at times and Rennie Gilchrist worked hard with twelve one per centers.

On the debit side, it was disappointing to see Tom Mentiplay injured again and James Frawley was taken to hospital after suffering concussion early in the game.

Sandringham 1.2.8 2.3.15 3.3.21 6.6.42

Frankston 9.2.56 16.9.105 24.14.158 27.18.180

Goals

Sandringham Curcio Gilchrist Gileno T Johnston Mentiplay Paterakis

Coburg Tigers Kingsley 8 Riewoldt 4 Krakouer Lynch Rayson 3 Edwards Pattison 2 Farrelly Liddle

Best

Sandringham Paterakis Collyer McGettigan McKenzie Gilchrist Martyn

Coburg Tigers Krakouer Kingsley Rayson Riewoldt Polo Gazzo

Clint Bizzell – got plenty of the ball and despite a few glitches, played an important role in his team’s victory.

i think he and rivers are competing for the same roll. if he comes in either we will have lost a tall or he will be in absolutly scintillating form. not sure if there is a spot for him otherwise.

Simon Buckley – looked out of sorts and put in a poor game, which is a pity because previously, he was getting close to AFL selection.

he will add pace to the midfield but with brock and green returning he might now have to wait a little longer for his debut. can he play up forward as a crumber? with his pace we could use him with davey up forward perhaps?

Ryan Ferguson - a top game whether in defence or up forward where he went late in the game and capped it off with an important goal against his former side.

ryan seems to be so good at vfl level but that doesnt translate into afl form does it? at vfl he can go forward or back, he hasnt been thrown forward as much in the afl but probably doesnt have the strength to play there. i think we'll see him gone at the end of the year - danners told him he wasnt fast enough or strong enough at afl level to hold down a KP which means his roll is the 3rd tall, and we have rivers doing that job really. he could be kept as depth, depending who else goes.

Ben Holland – a strong performance in which he put his hand up for selection for the Demons but it is unlikely to be this week with the opposition Bulldogs not presenting a viable match up.

ben hollands role is now match ups and depth. he wasnt considered a forward option while both neitz and robbo were out so i doubt he'll get another run up there. he does alright on the gorilla backs but we do have carrol down there as well. again he is a good depth player to have around in case someone does go down and wouldnt be the first to go.

Daniel Hughes started on the bench but showed out with pace, strong hands and a couple of nice goals just when they were needed.

does anyone know how close he is to coming up? i really think we need another small forward. davey plays up the ground alot and i think there is definetly room to play both in one side.

Mark Jamar – a hamstring injury put paid to his chances of returning to the AFL in the short term.

could be a good injury for the club. jamar has shown this year that he isnt up to afl standard, his injury gives PJ a few games in a row to either cement his spot or bust. it also gives neaves a shot at first ruck while jamar sits on the sidelines. hopefully this can help neaves development along and we can get a better idea of where he is at. i get the feeling there will be significant changes to our ruck dept at the end of this year. if jamar goes neaves might be elevated and i think pj will be given one more year. i think we'll trade jamar and prob get something half decent for him because mature ruckman and few and far between, but dont hold your breath,

Chris Johnson – didn’t do anything outstanding after being dropped from the Demons after their Sydney debacle.

will CJ make it or not. he looks good, nice skills but he hasnt put it together at afl level just yet. he would be coming close to his last legs and could be offered up and the end of the season if he wants to go home. i hope he makes it because he could definetly be someone who shows us up if we let him go.

Shane Neaves – is improving with the added responsibility of the first ruck and also did well around the ground. Carried the rucks after Jamar limped off with his hamstring.

see jamar

Michael Newton - started like a house on fire and then was reasonably well guarded. Presented well for the ball throughout and his presence up forward demanded close attention. When that happened Sautner took over and kicked a few himself. .

it has to be about his time doesnt it? 11 goals in 2 weeks should be enough to justify a spot. apparently the coaching staff still have a query on his mental state because if they were picking on form it would be a no brainer. he might have left his run too late however with neitz returning to the side. hope we see him make an impact in the red and blue this season.

Daniel Ward – was one of his team’s best and his experience was invaluable but one wonders whether he can still perform at the highest level.

as much as he can frustrate me, wardy is one who'll play a few games this year. he runs hard is decisive and kicks it long. thats not to say his decisions are correct or his kicks are accurate but it is better than running around in circles and handpassing to each other.

bbb, thanks for the report its great to read these, especially when its hard to get to sandy.pity to here about the reserves, i think that was a bit dodgy for coburg to drop that many players. cant believe there arent rules to prevent this. although i must say i hope that if newton doesnt play for the dees this week he gets to play for the sandy reserves to continue his form...don't wanna lose that spark now.