ZEBRAS BOUNCE BACK

[Demonland 70,217]

by Ice Station Zebra

A week is a long time in football and Sandringham coach Andy Lovell can testify to that sentiment. After his team's close defeats over the past two weeks at the hands of Port Melbourne and Frankston, it rebounded in the best possible way with a resounding 88-point victory at Box Hill City Oval.

The Zebras were simply electrifying in the first half, piling on eight goals in the first quarter and nine goals in the second to lead by almost 15 goals at the main break and after that, it was just a matter of playing out time. However, Lovell was clearly not impressed by the fact that his charges took the foot off the accelerator in the second half against the bottom of the ladder Hawks and after the game he told reporters:

"The first half was outstanding but we dropped away in the second half. We weren't quite as efficient going forward but we had a really even team performance in the first half and we ran out of legs a bit in the second half."

The Zebras' champion full forward Nick Sautner can also testify to the fact that things were a lot different this week. After being held goalless on his home turf at Beach Road Sunday, he was in scintillating form up forward with nine goals. By half time he had surpassed a career total of 700 goals in the VFL and had well and truly silenced his critics.

Of course, Sautner could not have achieved that milestone and the goals that followed without a strong team effort and good service from the players further downfield.

With John Meesen playing strongly in the ruck and Peter Summers (30 disposals) and Shane Valenti constantly pumping the ball out of the middle and Matty Bate adding some great run, it was hardly any wonder that Sautner and Ezra Poyas (22 kicks, nine marks and five goals) were running riot around the goalfront.

Sandy was also well served by the strength and class of experienced Demon pair Adem Yze and Ben Holland.

The enigmatic Michael Newton was another forward who showed greatly improved form after last week’s shocker. Unfortunately, he blotted his copybook by getting himself reported in an incident in the last quarter. Otherwise, his confidence in his marking, ball handling and decision making all returned. Hopefully, he will escape the wrath of the tribunal.

Chris Lamb led a powerful defence that hardly let a thing through. Matthew Warnock, Stef Martin and Colin Garland were all solid contributors.

Special mention should be made of youngster Shane Tregear from the Dragons who has come up through the ranks playing all of last season in the reserves. Playing only his second game at senior VFL level he was a solid contributor with two goals and showed that he has a good future at the club.

The Zebras are back at home next Saturday with a game against Bendigo Bombers in the ABC’s televised match of the day. The seniors game starts at the early time of 1.10pm.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Comments from Andy Lovell - Coach, Sandringham Football Club (from melbournefc.com)

Matthew Bate - had 22 touches, playing primarily in the midfield but also across the half forward line. He played a really good game in only his second game back from injury (he was our best on ground last week in the reserves, playing as a midfielder). He worked really hard and had a really good balance of being inside, winning the contested ball, but also won it outside and broke the lines. Matthew was one of our best midfielders on the day.

Jace Bode - played in the back line and took the opposition's best small forward out of the game. When he had the ball, he attacked the game and displayed some good run and carry out of defence. He had four entries inside 50, and did his job on the day.

Simon Buckley - this has been the second week in a row that "Bucks" has played well. He played across a wing and half back, and impacted the game well with his 23 possessions. He is an outside player who can run and break the lines, and he showed plenty of that on the weekend.

Colin Garland - was "best on ground" for us on Sunday. We played him across half back, and he won every contest he was involved in. He had 25 possessions, his ball use was terrific, and he was really hard when the contested ball was up for grabs. He rebounded off the half back line, and influenced the game really well.

Ben Holland - this was his first game back after missing the last couple. He played in the forward line, and his team work on the weekend was really good. He blocked for his teammates, and his work off the ball was really strong. He kicked two goals, but it was the work he did off the ball helping out Newton and Saunter which made his game performance ever better.

Chris Johnson - this was his first game back after missing out on selection in the AFL. He played across the half back line. He had 20 possessions, beat his man and gave us some good rebound run and carry out of defence. He didn't use the ball as well as he could have to impact the game, but it was a good solid performance, which we hope he can build confidence from.

Addam Maric - has been playing in the forward line, and has looked really dangerous. On the weekend, he only had eight possessions, but he also had seven tackles. His defensive pressure was outstanding, and he played a really important role for us. He didn't kick the goals he would have wanted to, but his team game was really good for us. We rated his game as equal to the game last week, when he kicked five goals.

Stef Martin - in the first half he played at full back, and played really well. His form has been very consistent this year. Each week he takes the opposition big forward, and he hasn't yet been beaten one-on-one in that role. In the second half we moved him to half back, where he struggled a little, but he has steadily improved and we are looking to develop him into a key defender.

John Meesen - was really competitive for us on the weekend and played his best game for the Club. This was his first game back after a slight ankle injury. He played on the wing and in the ruck. He was strong overhead, and was impressive as a ruckman, jumping well and constantly giving our midfielders first use of the ball.

Michael Newton - "Juice" Newton played his best game for the year for us. Playing as the centre half forward, he led very hard all day, had 10 possessions, took six marks and kicked two goals. He worked hard defensively, but was reported and suspended for a week.

Jake Spencer - played his second senior game for the Club. He has competed really hard for us – he is a tough kid and we like his hardness. On the weekend, his ruck work at centre bounces was exceptional and his following up work at ground level was just as pleasing. He only had six possessions, but his ruckwork was a real highlight.

Shane Valenti - has been in our best five players over the past month. He had a quiet game last week, when he got tagged, but on the weekend he was "in and under" and won a lot of contested ball. He had 23 possessions and played a really honest, hard working game throughout the midfield and across half forward.

Matthew Warnock - has been consistently in our best three players over the past three weeks. He had 28 touches across the half back line. He showed a real balance in his game, he beat his man one on one, and marked well and attacked the game off half back. With Matt’s recent form, he is on the verge of senior selection.

Adem Yze - played his best game of the year for us. He has shown patches of brilliance, but this was his first four quarter performance. We played him on the wing, and across half forward. He had 32 possessions and eight marks, and had a real impact on the game. He used the ball well, found space and his defensive pressure was outstanding. Adem's attitude at Sandringham over the past month has been outstanding - he has shown good leadership qualities, which have benefited the team.

Box Hill Hawks 1.3.9 3.4.22 5.8.38 11.10.76

Sandringham 8.3.51 17.9.111 21.10.136 25.14.164

Goals

Box Hill Hawks Morton 3 McGlynn 2 Dowler Gibson Morrell Neville Renouf Stokes

Sandringham Sautner 9 Poyas 5 Holland Newton Tregear Summers 2 Crowe Liddell Yze

Best

Box Hill Hawks McGlynn Renouf Kennedy McQueen-Miscamble Kenna Morton

Sandringham Garland Sautner Poyas Lamb Yze Warnock

Reported

Sandringham M Newton for striking B McGlynn in the fourth quarter

Sandringham's reserves won for the third week on the trot but it was not as easy a win as the first two games. An eight goal third quarter made the difference after an even first half and the young Zebras went on to record a four goal win.

The team was best served by Marc Johnston and Andrew Waller with Maddison Hardiman, Guy Martin and Trent Zomer all booting three goals.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Comments from Andy Lovell - Coach, Sandringham Football Club (from melbournefc.com)

Kyle Cheney - played really well, was probably our best in the reserves with 35 possessions. He played half back, but we also played him through the midfield, to try to develop him into a running type of player. He’s hard at the footy, stands his ground and really finds the ball well. He is a very smart young player for us.

Tom McNamara - is showing signs for us that he is a good player, when he goes and gets the ball. It’s fair to say that he is struggling for confidence at bit at the moment. He probably hasn’t adapted to playing at Sandringham just yet, but at only 17 we think that he is not to far away. He has got a fantastic ability to read the play really well, and is strong overhead. His work ethic has been a little inconsistent, but he is certainly a talented player for us.

Isaac Weetra - is playing across the half back line, just to give him a reference point on the field. He has been struggling to get his hands on the ball at half forward and his confidence is a little down. We have played him in a variety of roles, but we are keeping it simple for him at the moment. He needs to beat his man, and then attack the game from there.

Trent Zomer - has been consistently good for us over the last three weeks, and kicked seven goals for us in Round One. He is playing a combination of full forward and ruck, and he is a good kick for goal and a strong mark. We are working on his work ethic at the moment, as he just needs to get his repeat leads and his physicality up a couple of notches so that he can play senior football down the track.

Box Hill Hawks 4.3.27 7.7.49 11.10.76 16.13.109

Sandringham 5.1.31 9.3.57 17.7.109 20.13.133

Goals

Box Hill Hawks Neil 4 Hill 3 Daniher Dell Aquilla 2 Angelopoulos Fieschi Suckling Smithwick Wright

Sandringham Hardiman Martyn Zomer 3 Dean Lyall Waller 2 Cheney Gilchrist Monaghan Lockwood Monaghan Plymin

Best

Box Hill Hawks Cross Daniher Neil McEntee Angelopoulos Dell Aquilla

Sandringham M Johnston Waller B Liddell Monaghan Cheney Martyn