SANDRINGHAM REPORT

[Demonland 73,140]

Beach Road Bazza couldn't make it to North Ballarat (Kingswood trouble again) so thanks to Ice Station Zebra for his report.

GOLDEN RUN ENDS by Ice Station Zebra

Sandringham's golden run of victories stretching from Round 18 of last year finally ended with a 35 point defeat at the hands of a committed North Ballarat at AUSTAR Arena, Ballarat on Saturday.

North Ballarat had plenty of time to plan their tilt at the reigning triple premiers and they did it well. Their pre game publicity signalled early that the Zebras were going to have to be at their best to deny their hard running game and high work rate. The Roosters' attack on the football was fierce all day and was a major factor in their well deserved victory.

The trip north is always a daunting one and Sandy's task was compounded by something of a hangover from the Victorian State game of the previous week, a heavy injury toll and a suspension. Two players from the sensational victory over the Sandgropers - Ezra Poyas and Shane Valenti - were late withdrawals from Saturday's team. Nick Sautner who starred with nine goals in that match struggled to have an impact in his 200th game on Saturday and was well held by Rooster skipper Shaune Moloney. Chris Lamb missed this week with his one game striking suspension incurred during the Williamstown game while Ben Holland also had to pull out of the selected side. With Chris Johnson hurt early, the Zebras were well down on their usual quota of experienced players for most of the game.

Still, this gave a number of younger players the opportunity to step up into the side and Jace Bode, Heath Neville, Tomi Johnston, Rennie Gilchrist, Peter McGettigan, Stefan Martin and Tom Paterakis all came in to the team highlighting its youthful nature. Byron Pickett was the only Demon listed player in the side with a sizeable amount of AFL experience. Gilchrist, from the Sandringham Dragons was playing his first senior game.

The proceedings opened in cold but sunny conditions with a light breeze running across a heavy ground. It was a lively start and the Zebras began well but unfortunately twice hit the post in the opening five minutes. Young ruckman Martin was given a tough job on state representative and former Bomber ruckman Tristan Cartledge and he more than held his own in this department. Lynden Dunn was lively up forward in the early stages but with Sautner well covered, the Sandringham attack looked somewhat jaded and the visitors trailed by a point at the first break.

Sandy was poised to make a charge and two early goals saw them take a 10 point lead. Chad Liddell's soccer goal off the ground was inspirational. The Roosters responded even more strongly with four unanswered goals including three in two minutes by half forward Dean Chester. You could almost see the home team's self-confidence surge as a result of this burst of inspirational football and North Ballarat went in at the half time break with a 14 point lead.

Peter Summers was the only Sandy state representative who was on song all day and the team really missed the hard drive that Valenti usually gives, particularly in the packs. Tom Paterakis was given the difficult task of holding the slippery Djaran Whyman and did a fair job in the circumstances.

Sandringham looked lethargic at the start of the third quarter and the home side soon slipped away to a handy 32 point lead after booting three goals in four minutes. Dunn and Michael Newton kicked goals to keep Sandy within touch but it still went into the three quarter time huddle facing defeat and 20 points in arrears. Sautner's solitary goal for the game had come late in the quarter.

The visitors tried hard in the last with Newton on fire and kicking three goals but the Roosters had all the answers and a fifty metre penalty followed by a goal to Cartledge put an end to the Zebras' hopes of an unlikely comeback. The Roosters ran out comfortable winners by 35 points in the end.

Sandringham will be keen to atone for the disappointing performance but it has its work cut out with another danger game at Coburg on Queen's Birthday weekend.

Sandringham 2.4.16 6.6.42 9.10.64 13.10.88

North Ballarat 2.5.17 8.8.56 12.12.84 18.15.123

Goals

Sandringham Newton 5 Dunn 4 T Johnston Liddell Martin Sautner

North Ballarat Chester 4 George 3 Dignan Feery Whyman 2 Cartledge Gregg Riggio Ryall Trotter

Best

Sandringham Summers Dunn Martin Pickett Warnock Liddell

North Ballarat Cartledge Sansbury Lower Moloney Whyman Chester

UNDERMANNED RESERVES BATTLE HARD

With a number of regulars promoted to the Seniors, an undermanned reserves were smashed by a stronger and more committed North Ballarat. Shane Tregear and Sam Monaghan worked tirelessly while young Demon rookie Daniel Hayes impressed. He was making his return to the game after personal issues kept him out of football for the past two months and he looked good in passages kicking a very clever goal at half forward.

The team remains out of the top five by a game and will need to work harder this week to snare the points against the Coburg Tigers and remain in the finals race. These teams met a few weeks ago at Frankston when the Tigers' seniors had a bye and their team was stacked with Richmond players. The opposition will be much different this time and the young Sandy side will have added incentive to win.

Reserves

Sandringham 2.2.14 4.5.29 4.6.30 5.6.36

North Ballarat 1.2.8 8.5.53 13.10.88 16.16.112

Goals

Sandringham Dunne Gileno Henry Lyall Monaghan

North Ballarat Micallef 3 Schultz 2 Gilmour Hartigan Horbury McDougall McHug Raworth Searle Sharkey Spolding Urquhart Waight

Best

Sandringham Tregear Monaghan Hayes Zarra Gribbin Dunne

North Ballarat Searle Micallef Caldow Raworth Head Schultz

[Doggo 32]

How did Heath Neville go? Good to see him in the Sandy 1's, lets hope he can do something and show he might actually be a good player.

Also, a question about Tom Paterakis.

I played a little bit of footy with him at school and also at South Melb Dists. in juniors, and from what i saw of him, he always was the dominant midfielder on the ground. Haven't seen or spoken to him in a couple of years though-- just wondering from anyone in the know how he's going? He'd be, age 20-21 now i guess?

Is a pretty solid, nuggety type midfielder with very tidy skills and loves a running goal. Playing on former AFL-listed player Whyman would have been a big task, i'm assuming he is/was played in a defensive negating midfield/half back role?

Have seen his name in the ressies bests consistently all season, is he a chance of consolidating his spot in the 1sts? He'd have to be going alright in the 2's b&f at this stage?

[Jaded No More 68,974]

What happened to Chris Johnson?

[kryton 0]

Good to see Rookie Hayes finally on the park - hope he can make a go of this caper.

[St. Jon 0]

How did Heath Neville go? Good to see him in the Sandy 1's, lets hope he can do something and show he might actually be a good player.

Also, a question about Tom Paterakis.

I played a little bit of footy with him at school and also at South Melb Dists. in juniors, and from what i saw of him, he always was the dominant midfielder on the ground. Haven't seen or spoken to him in a couple of years though-- just wondering from anyone in the know how he's going? He'd be, age 20-21 now i guess?

Is a pretty solid, nuggety type midfielder with very tidy skills and loves a running goal. Playing on former AFL-listed player Whyman would have been a big task, i'm assuming he is/was played in a defensive negating midfield/half back role?

Have seen his name in the ressies bests consistently all season, is he a chance of consolidating his spot in the 1sts? He'd have to be going alright in the 2's b&f at this stage?

Wouldnt call him a nuggety midfielder at all. Probably around the 187 cm mark, fairly slim and playing good footy after a few very interupted seasons due to injury. Was a player to watch out for in under 18's till he needed a shoulder reconstruction. Hopefully he can stay up there in the 1's but will find it difficult when a full strength melbourne and sandy list comes back. He did play on Whyman through the midfield and in defence and held him fiarly well in the 3rd quarter when he was on him.

Neville was on the ground for about a half - didnt do much. Probably back in the 2's next week with players coming back.

Hayes was good for his first game in however long and playing with a group of people he never has before and has no idea how they play. Will only get better. He looks like he knows what's going on around goals to. Instinctive.

[grazman 7,451]

What happened to Chris Johnson?

Ditto.. Not mentioned on the club's injured list.

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

Concussion maybe? Don't know just thinking out loud, or in writing as the case may be.

[Doggo 32]

Wouldnt call him a nuggety midfielder at all. Probably around the 187 cm mark, fairly slim and playing good footy after a few very interupted seasons due to injury. Was a player to watch out for in under 18's till he needed a shoulder reconstruction.

Must have lost a fair bit of weight and grown quite a bit since high school then... was always a little bit on the short, 'pudgy' side of midfielders back then. Although we are talking 5-6 years ago now, so of course a lot would have changed...

Good to hear he's playing good, consistent footy. Best of luck to him.

P.S. Have u seen his missus? Not a bad looker at all...

[Minka Beaver 0]

Sad that Sautner didn't have a better 200th. That said, he was being held by Shaune Moloney who is arguably the best full-back not on an AFL list.

Chris Lamb should never have been suspended for his shirtfront v Williamstown.

How did Andy Biddlecombe go? Rare not to see his name in the best.

Did Simon Buckley play?

How long until Valenti and Poyas return?

[maximum bob 462]

Newton kicks 5 and still can't crack the best player list.

Now I'm starting to believe in conspiracy theories.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Newton kicks 5 and still can't crack the best player list.

Now I'm starting to believe in conspiracy theories.

They're keeping a lid on him

[deanox 9,989]

maxi bob,

from what i can tell newton kicked 3 in the last quarter but was a bit quiet before that...but i would still love to see him in the red and blue...

[St. Jon 0]

Must have lost a fair bit of weight and grown quite a bit since high school then... was always a little bit on the short, 'pudgy' side of midfielders back then. Although we are talking 5-6 years ago now, so of course a lot would have changed...

Good to hear he's playing good, consistent footy. Best of luck to him.

P.S. Have u seen his missus? Not a bad looker at all...

I have, yes, she goes alright.

Sad that Sautner didn't have a better 200th. That said, he was being held by Shaune Moloney who is arguably the best full-back not on an AFL list.

Chris Lamb should never have been suspended for his shirtfront v Williamstown.

How did Andy Biddlecombe go? Rare not to see his name in the best.

Did Simon Buckley play?

How long until Valenti and Poyas return?

I think we have 2 better full backs on sandy's list let alone anyone not on an afl list. Moloney isn't much chop.

On one video angle which is all they had to go by yes lamb should have gone. They were very relieved to be able to take the 1 match option. It looked very dodgey.

Biddlecombe was solid.

Buckley did, had a bit of it too. Just looked a bit out of it at times.

[dazzledavey36 55,347]

St john how did our other rookie go? jace bode

[Guest]

Michael Newton played ok but on 2 occasions he missed tackles on Ballarat players which both resulted in the ball going straight up the other end for 2 goals....but he led well and kicked well when hr got the ball...against Williamstown his tackling was excellent and one resulted in Chris Egan ending up with knee damage...a week is a long time in football