FEATHERS RUFFLED

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham sealed the VFL minor premiership and effectively ended North Ballarat's top four ambitions when it scored a resounding 65-point victory at Trevor Barker Beach Oval yesterday.

The win meant that the Zebras have now beaten all comers in the competition after overturning their only two losses for the season with their comprehensive thrashings of Box Hill and North Ballarat in the past fortnight.

They did so against the Roosters with a record low number of six players (four senior listed and two rookies) from aligned AFL club Melbourne after the Demons, in the wake of their ever-worsening injury woes, withdrew five players from the game. It is almost certain that some, if not all of them,will be required for the club's trip interstate to Subiaco at the weekend.

On the credit side of the ledger the Zebras regained tough skipper Chad Liddell and key forward Rod Crowe but also lost David Gallagher (knee) during the game. The club was able to show off the great depth of its VFL list headed by Shane Valenti, Ezra Poyas, Peter Summers and Gallagher (until injured). The depth has been bolstered considerably in the last month or so with the emergence of the younger brigade with Tomi Johnston, Sam Monaghan and Stefan Martin being this week's standouts.

Sandringham did not have things going all its way in the early stages when North Ballarat came out with all guns blazing and, aided by some wayward kicking from the Zebra forwards, shot to a 14 point lead by quarter time.

Whatever Zebra coach Mark Williams told his players at the first break should be bottled because they hit the ground running and kicked 11 unanswered goals in an emphatic response that blew the game to pieces. They outscored the opposition in the second quarter alone by 45 points and it was clear by the main break that the Roosters had well and truly had their feathers plucked.

Williams put the turn around down to the fact that his team imposed themselves on the game physically.

"Our intensity and pressure went up and we started to hit more targets," he said after the game.

The Zebras did not drop their intensity in the second half and they went on their merry way with a five goals to two third term before coasting home.

Williams had few worries after the game although he will certainly need to correct the errant kicking for goal of his forwards.

Valenti was the dominant player on the ground and he would have to be a contender for the Fothergill-Round Medal for the competition's rising star (if not the JJ Liston Trophy) on his excellent form throughout the season. Apart from a brief patch when injured after the State game, his season has been outstanding and yesterday's performance was no exception. His tackling and smothering were exceptional.

Poyas was not far behind him kicking three goals and, with the finals looming, he presents an ominous prospect for the other sides taking part. Danny Hughes was in strong marking form and he booted two goals in a welcome return to the side – a move that has added a new dimension to the forward line.

Chris Lamb maintained his stranglehold on the mantle of the competition's premier defender and he was supported by experienced defenders in Biddlecombe and Warnock. The defence gave the team plenty of drive setting up off the half back line.

The youngsters all contributed to the solid Sandringham effort. One dazzling run by Johnston in particular suggested that the word "class" should be stamped over his name. Stefan Martin again presented well and kicked a good goal as well as using his body to open space for a Sautner goal. His long goal after the siren at three quarter time was a gem. Sam Monaghan and Rennie Gilchrist were also impressive.

Next week Sandringham faces Coburg Tigers at home in what is effectively a dead rubber. The game will be televised on the ABC and should constitute an excellent warm up for the following week’s Qualifying Final against Williamstown.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Five of the Demons selected on Thursday night were given the day off by the club following the injuries incurred by players in the game against Collingwood leaving a small complement of six for this game. Only Chris Johnson showed enough to suggest an AFL recall although there was some promise also shown by rookies Hughes and Neaves.

Clint Bizzell - just a day at the office from Bizzell. He was serviceable, took some nice marks and performed some standard clearing dashes but his disposal let him down at times. He played pretty accountable and not his usual sweeper role.

Danny Hughes - this was his first game back in senior company after a long lay off with a groin problem and he was a more than useful contributor. He was lively on the forward line kicking a couple of goals and took several strong marks.

Chris Johnson - the pick of the Demons on display and he showed out with some strong marking. Was on fire early but let himself down with a few misses from set shots. Broke through for a nice goal late in the game when he was at his very best.

Shane Neaves - after playing second fiddle to Jamar and Paul Johnson and having a brief stint in the reserves, Neaves stepped up with the added responsibility of playing in the first ruck. After a slow start, the rookie ruckman worked his way into the contest and finished well on top. Spent a lot of time across half back plugging any holes that might have opened in defence.

Heath Neville - did a few nice things but generally didn't have that much time to show his wares. Showed great strength to applied a very good tackle to win a free kick at one stage.

Matthew Warnock - a reasonable performance in a strong back line. Did some nice things down back and ran the ball well out of defence well but can still improve on his kicking and decision-making.

Sandringham 2.7.19 9.11.65 14.19.103 17.23.125

North Ballarat 5.3.33 5.4.34 7.9.51 8.14.62

Goals

Sandringham Sautner 4 Poyas 3 Hughes S Martin Summers 2 C Johnson Neaves Paterakis Valenti

North Ballarat Edwards Gregg Thomas 2 Cartledge Urch

Best

Sandringham Valenti Poyas C Johnson Lamb T Johnston Neaves

North Ballarat Lower Goodes Moloney George Roach Whyman

The Sandringham Reserves finals campaign came to an abrupt end in the curtain raiser after a 34 point loss at the hands of North Ballarat left them more than a game away from fifth placed Box Hill Hawks.

The young Zebras side was severely depleted after losing the in form Tom Paule as well as a number of others called upon to fill vacancies in the senior line up. Young Atila Yaman from the Sandringham TAC Cup side was brought into the side for his first game and did well on debut kicking two goals.

After an early struggle the team nudged ahead by a point with the first two goals of the second quarter but the Roosters showed more determination and forged their way to a lead of almost 10 goals before Sandy mounted a strong comeback which got them to within two goals midway through the final quarter before the Roosters kicked some late goals to put the result beyond any doubt.

Ewen McKenzie toiled manfully while Peter McGettigan was classy in a heavily undermanned team.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

The standard of the game was quite poor and one was left to wonder whether the Demon youngsters will really benefit much at all from playing at this level. Daniel Hayes and Isaac Weetra took part in this game and while neither of them shone it must be remembered that both have had interrupted seasons and the club would be looking to improvement next year with a full pre season under their belts.

Daniel Hayes - showed real touches of class and some deft footwork at times and he disposed of the ball well.

Isaac Weetra - spent a lot of time in the forward line when play was somewhere else and was generally quiet although he kicked a nice goal after a strong lead.

Sandringham 1.5.11 4.9.33 6.12.48 12.20.92

North Ballarat 3.4 22 8.10.58 13.16.94 18.18.126

Goals

Sandringham Cleeve Yaman 2 Curcio Dean Dunne Hayes McGettigan Turcarelli Weetra Williams

North Ballarat Schultz 4 Ewart Hardy Taylor 2 Burchell Dignan Drew Grima Morgan Otto Urquhart Raworth

Best

Sandringham McKenzie McGettigan Dean Gribbin Turcarelli Tregear

North Ballarat Drew Clark Lewis Schultz Parkin Morgan