SMILES ALL AROUND

Demonland · July 9, 2007

by Ice Station Zebra

When the Tassie Devils took on Sandringham at Aurora Stadium on Saturday night it became a case of smiles all around with both teams coming away happy from their Round 13 clash.

Sandringham got the four premiership points on offer and remains a strong contender for top place on the VFL ladder while for Devils' coach Daryn Cresswell, his team's eleventh loss on the trot was as "an honourable defeat".

The bottom of the ladder Devils have been subjected to a lot of flak during their horror run this year. After last week's defeat at the hands of the Bendigo Bombers at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Cresswell made his senior players front the media to apologise for their poor display. This came on top of three alcohol bans placed on the team by the coaching panel this year. The rule was that not a drop of booze would pass the players' lips until Cresswell and co learned the cause of the Devils' second-half fade-outs this barren VFL season.

The ban has been temporarily lifted after the Devils came out and played with plenty of endeavour and commitment on Saturday night. They certainly had a crack in the opening term when they outscored the Zebras by kicking three goals to two although the visitors squandered their early chances with some wayward kicking for goal.

With hundred gamer Ezra Poyas on fire, an inspired Sandringham blew the Devils off the park in the second quarter kicking eight goals to two to hold a match winning 38-point lead at the main break. Poyas kicked three for the term and went into the rooms with 3 goals four behinds to his name but it could easily have been more. The star Zebra goal sneak was given close attention in the second half and finished with four for the match - he has now kicked nine goals in his past two games after recovering from a hamstring injury incurred early in the State game v WAFL last month.

The Devils came back early in the second half with the first two goals but, with Rod Crowe and Ben Holland dominating up forward, the Zebras soon reclaimed their strong grip on the game. The crowd got its share of excitement when Ryan Ferguson took a an absolute a screamer of a mark in the goal square in the third quarter for an easy goal and the visitors coasted to an easy seven goal victory at the end.

While coach Mark Williams might have been happy with getting the four points for the win, he was certainly not satisfied with his team's errant kicking for goal. He kept his charges in the rooms for a good 20 to 30 minutes and my guess would be that he was berating his players for missing a perfect opportunity to register a percentage booster.

However, Williams would no doubt have been happy with the fact that his inexperienced side produced winning form without the services of a number of regulars, especially up forward where Nick Sautner was absent on study leave and Lynden Dunn, Brad Miller and Michael Newton had all been called up for service in the AFL.

With Melbourne's injury blight continuing, the Zebras again took the opportunity to blood youth. Included in the team were two first gamers, Guy Martyn and Sam Monaghan. Rennie Gilchrist was playing only his second game and Tomi Johnston and Tom Paterakis were each taking part in their sixth Senior VFL games.

Gilchrist was a little wasteful with his disposal but played a good game rotating with Peter Summers through the centre. Martyn did well up forward and through the middle, holding his own and Monaghan was super impressive across half back, wing and half forward. The 2006 Vic Metro Under 18 representative looked confident and played like he really belonged at this level. Tomi Johnston was also good picking up 11 disposals in the final term. Paterakis tagged talented Tassie midfielder Ken Hall and did a good job.

Of the more experienced players, Ben Holland was in great marking form whether down back or up forward. As noted earlier, Ezra Poyas was in slashing form in his 100th VFL game. Shane Valenti was lively and back to some solid form after recovering from his foot injury. He had plenty of the ball, kicked two goals and worked well in the midfield in rotation with Brent Moloney. Ryan Ferguson took some strong marks up forward and provided an excellent leading option in the absence of Sautner. Skipper Chad Liddell was, as ever, a solid leader who led by example showing his usual courage and determination.

The Zebra defence was well served by Colin Garland at half back while Chris Lamb was solid all night and Matthew Warnock had his hands full with Tassie forward Adam Derbyshire shading him in the first half before the Taswegian hit a purple patch and got the better of him on the lead and by playing in front. Andy Biddlecombe hurt his groin during the third quarter leaving Lamb and Warnock as the only two talls down back.

The win puts Sandringham in second place but with a game in hand over ladder leader Geelong and needing to consolidate its top four prospects with a win at home on Sunday against Werribee. The Tigers are sure to provide tough opposition as they will be desperate to secure a finals berth.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode - had a quiet night. Although he did a few good things, he didn't play with enough intensity and was caught out at times.

Ryan Ferguson - was very lively early, led well and took some strong marks. Drifted out of the game in the second half but pulled down a massive hanger in the third quarter.

Colin Garland - by Ice Station Zebra