Beach Road Bazza

Yes, it was the Sandringham of old today at Frankston with Nick Sautner booting seven goals and the Zebras dominating after half time to blow the Dolphins off the park by 20.10.130 to 9.18.72. Maric, Petterd, Grimes and Frawley were all outstanding and it was Grimes' third quarter which set up the win. The pressure at VFL level is a lot less than at the elite AFL level but what stood out was that these players made good decisions, got plenty of the ball and disposed of it magnificently. Grimes' delivery was pin point and would have put just about every player who represented the MFC yesterday to shame. The first quarter saw Frankston doing a lot of niggling and Nick Sauntner was reported for charging. This didn't stop him from regaining his lead on the goalkicker' list ahead of Podsiadly of Werribee. Nathan Carroll was the hero playing in a makeshift ruck with the assistance of Ben Holland. John Meesen and Jake Spencer are out for the rest of the year. Sandy needs to win next week against North Ballarat and wants Geelong to beat Frankston to fall into eighth place. Sandringham 6.3.39 7.6.48 14.6.90 20.10.130 Frankston 3.8.26 6.11.47 6.14.50 9.18.72 Goals Sandringham Sautner 7 Petterd 3 Crowe Holland 2 Gallagher Liddell Poyas Summers Grimes Carroll Frankston Berry 2 Dickson Gabriel Kennedy Limbach Lourey Marigliani Morris Best Sandringham Carroll Grimes Biddlecombe Gallagher Summers Holland Frankston Raso Collins Magner Kennedy Berry Proctor Reported players Sandringham N Sautner (Sandringham) for charging player B Barry (Frankston) in 1st quarter Frankston B.Dunne (Frankston) pushing/throwing player N Sautner (Sandringham) in 1st quarter

The Sandy Reserves will play off in the finals. It's just a matter of whether they occupy 3rd, 4th or 5th places when the home and away season ends on Sunday. The squad to play Frankston includes: Calder, Anthony Cannon, Jack Cheney, Kyle Cleeve, Stuart Curcio, Michael Fleming, Andrew Gilder, Brad Gileno, Adrian Gravina, Stephen Gribbin, Daniel Hardiman, Maddison Hine, Matthew Johnston, Marc Lockwood, Scott Lyall, Nicholas Martyn, Guy Monaghan, Sam Shakaib, Hiwad Summons, Justin Torcasio, Christopher Tregear, Shane Weetra, Isaac Zomer, Trent Unfortunatley, I have no information as to what's happened to John Meesen and Jake Spencer and I will endeavour to find out at the weekend.. Tom McNamara has a hamstring injury and might be right to play for Sandy reserves in the finals.

FRANKSTON v SANDRINGHAM Sunday 24th August Frankston Oval at 2:00pm FRANKSTON Backs Winterton Pollard Gabriel Half backs Collins Shinners Raso Centreline Proctor Kennedy Krakouer Half forwards Berry Lourey Morris Forwards Limbach Dore Dickson Followers Oliver Magner Marigliani Interchange (from) Barker Barry Collie Conroy Corp Dunne Lombardozzi Murray SANDRINGHAM Backs C Liddell Lamb Petterd Half backs M Johnston Biddlecombe Poyas Centreline Grimes Waller Gilchrist Half forwards Martyn Crowe Bode Forwards Monaghan Sautner Dean Followers Holland Summers Gallagher Interchange (from) Carroll Cheney Frawley B Liddell Lockwood McConnell Maric Valenti The Zebras are preparing for life after Melbourne. Their chances of making the finals are slim and their destiny is not in their hands. Coach Andy Lovell told supporters in the club's email this week: "The equation as it stands now is that we can and must win our remaining 2 games against Frankston (away) and North Ballarat (home) while relying on Frankston or the Bullants losing both of their remaining games in order for us to play finals footy." Supporters should also note that this week's fixture and the following one v North Ballarat have been changed to Sunday matches.

Andy Lovell's VFL Rd 18: Player Review is now up on melbournefc.com.au

Not unless you're going to the Frankston v Casey Scorps game tomorrow Peter. However, you might want to try Andy Lovell. He'll be easier to access at this game! Cheers, Bazza

The team list for the reserves:- Calder, Anthony Cannon, Jack Cheney, Kyle Cleeve, Stuart Eaton, Andrew Fleming, Andrew Gilder, Brad Gileno, Adrian Gravina, Stephen Hardiman, Maddison Hine, Matthew Kondarovskis, James Lockwood, Scott Lyall, Nicholas McConnell, Andrew Sargent, Daniel Shakaib, Hiwad Summons, Justin Teasdale, David Tregear, Shane Weetra, Isaac Zomer, Trent

COBURG TIGERS v SANDRINGHAM Saturday 16th August ABD Group Stadium at 2:00 PM COBURG TIGERS Backs McErlain Keogh Horne Half backs King Hughes Polo Centreline Connors Jackson Tivendale Half forwards Shelton Oakley-Nicholls Howat Forwards Collins Meyer Cartledge Followers Graham Coughlan Hyde Interchange (from) Carnell Carrick F Caruso N Caruso Cattapan Collard Liddle Lynch Morton Rance Riddle Vasilevski SANDRINGHAM Backs C Liddell Gribbin Petterd Half backs M Johnston Lamb Biddlecombe Centreline Grimes Waller Gilchrist Half forwards Martyn Crowe Holland Forwards Dean Sautner Monaghan Followers Spencer Summers Gallagher Interchange (from) Bode Cheney Carroll Hardiman B Liddell McConnell Meesen Yze This is possibly Sandringham's last chance. Eighth placed Northern Bullants have a tough game today against North Ballarat while Geelong who are tenth on the ladder play Port Melbourne third at the weekend. The game is on 1611AM (internet www.doublex.com.au)

But who would you have as the Russian's ruck partner in the Melbourne team?

Quite right although the subtext must be that statistics tell lies because their actual numbers were similar.

Andy Lovell's weekly VFL wrap is up on Melbournefc.com.au. Looks like Juice is a chance this week.

Another bad day at the office for the Zebras who now need to win every game to make the finals. Sandringham 0.4 4 7.5.47 8.6.54 9.13.67 Geelong 1.1.7 4.6.30 9.9.63 11.12.78 Goals Sandringham Newton Yze 2 Crowe Holland Martyn Sautner Waller Geelong Cuthill 2 Byrne Carey Davenport Mumford Potter Simpson Urie Varcoe Williams Best Sandringham Crowe Biddlecombe Yze Gallagher Spencer Newton Geelong Hogan Varcoe Davenport Byrne S Simpson Williams

Very true Nasher and it looks like I'll be going into retirement in a few week's time. The old Kingswood would struggle to make the trip to Casey Fields and Mavis (the wife) wouldn't be pleased either. I've told the Demonland people and they're already looking for a replacement who's more local to that area and has some sort of connection with the Casey team.

This is a must win game for Sandringham with a month to go before the finals. SANDRINGHAM v GEELONG Sunday 10th August Trevor Barker Beach Oval at 2:00pm SANDRINGHAM Backs C Liddell McNamara Gilchrist Half backs M Johnston Lamb Biddlecombe Centreline Gallagher Waller Grimes Half forwards Williams Crowe Holland Forwards Dean Sautner Monaghan Followers Spencer Martyn Poyas Interchange Bode Gribbin Meesen Newton Petterd Summers Yze GEELONG Backs Donohue McKenna Hollmer Half backs Tenace S Simpson Laidler Centreline Hogan Byrne Davenport Half forwards Djerrkura Mumford Cheep Forwards Barnes Carey D Simpson Followers West Moles Varcoe Interchange (from) Boseley Cuthill Larcombe McTaggart Tom Urie Williams Wilson The reserves have a bye.

Andy Lovell's weekly Player Review for Round 16 is now up on Melbournefc.com: More on the site.

First time out of the 8 for a long time and it's real backs to the wall stuff from hereon in. Sandringham 4.3.27 5.4.34 11.7.73 13.9.87 Northern Bullants 4.0.24 9.5.59 10.8.68 13.13.91 Goals Sandringham Liddell 3 Sautner White 2 Dean Jones Martyn Meesen Summers Waller Northern Bullants Ackland 7 Boundy 2 Bentick Blackwell Gianfagna Jackson Best Sandringham White Frawley Biddlecombe Yze Dean Waller Northern Bullants Ackland Bannister Blackwell Vansittart Bentick Saddington

Which means that if the club works out a trade deal involving such a player and he agreed to it, then it still could be done. Handy to know that!

The Sandy reserves are also involved in a do or die struggle and simply can't afford to drop this game if they want to play off in the finals series. The squad for Sunday's game is: Calder, Anthony Cheney, Kyle Cleeve, Stuart Curcio, Michael Fleming, Andrew Gilchrist, Rennie Gilder, Brad Gravina, Stephen Gribbin, Daniel Grimes, Jack Hardiman, Maddison Hine, Matthew Johnson, Will Liddell, Brett Lockwood, Scott McConnell, Andrew McNamara, Tom Monaghan, Sam Shakaib, Hiwad Spencer, Jake Waller, Chris Weetra, Isaac Zomer, Trent

I agree with you Peter. This game is a "must win". The winner will retain a place in the VFL top eight and the loser is likely to drop out. Good luck to Peter Summers and David Gallagher on their 100th games! NORTHERN BULLANTS v SANDRINGHAM Sunday 3rd August, 2008 MC Labour Park at 2:00pm NORTHERN BULLANTS Backs J Vansittart Saddington Ja Bannister Half backs Houlihan Bower Anderson Centreline Gianfagna Pfeiffer Lappin Half forwards Iacobucci Hartlett Jackson Forwards Ellard Edwards Ackland Followers Hampson Bentick Blackwell Interchange (from) Benjamin Boundy Bransgrove B Davies Hill Jacobs A O'hAilpin Teague SANDRINGHAM Backs C Liddell Frawley T Johnston Half backs M Johnston Lamb Biddlecombe Centreline Bode Summers Gallagher Half forwards Williams Crowe Holland Forwards Dean Sautner Yze Followers Meesen Martyn Poyas Interchange (from) Carroll Fleming Jones McConnell Newton Spencer Waller White Don't know why Ricky Petterd is not in the team.

The Zebras have the bye this week and their next game is a crucial one taking place at MC Labour Park on the following weekend against the Northern Bullants. Meanwhile, Andy Lovell's Sandringham Wrap on melbournefc.com.au is as fascinating as ever!

It was a great return to the winners list for Sandy and the Demon players were all in fine form. John Meesen was missing from the selected side. Sandringham 4.5.29 12.13.85 18.17.125 24.19.163 Tasmania 2.3.15 4.6.30 7.7.49 11.10.76 Goals Sandringham Sautner 7 Holland 4 Liddell 3 Martyn White Yze 2 Crowe M Johnston Maric Summers Tasmania Cornelius Richter Taylor 2 Bielski Hardy Plummer Robinson Shackleton Best Sandringham Carroll Sautner Holland Crowe Biddlecombe Bode Tasmania Andrews Richter Setchell Robinson Koulouriotis Shackleton The Sandy Reserves blew a big chance to cement their place in the finals with poor kicking for goal in the final quarter. Notwithstanding what Zebraman said above, I think Jack Grimes' workload is increasing and he is not far from a senior game. Sandringham 1.3.9 6.10.46 8.11.59 10.19.79 North Ballarat 3.3.21 8.6.54 12.10.82 13.13.91 Goals Sandringham Zomer 2 Gilchrist Weetra Hardiman Gilder Monaghan Lockwood Hine Kondarovskis North Ballarat Faure 3 Luke Taylor 2 Caldow George Gregg Orvis Tarrant Tickner Best Sandringham Monaghan Gilchrist Gribbin Waller Fleming Hardiman North Ballarat George Peace Caldow Peters Luke Tickner

He's been out injured.

Retire The team list for the reserves game against North Ballarat for Sunday is: Calder, Anthony Cleeve, Stuart Curcio, Michael Fleming, Andrew Gilchrist, Rennie Gilder, Brad Grimes, Jack Hardiman, Maddison Hine, Matthew Johnston, Marc Johnston, Tomi Kondarovskis, James Liddell, Brett Lockwood, Scott Lyall, Nicholas McNamara, Tom Monaghan, Sam Sargent, Daniel Shakaib, Hiwad Spencer, Jake Summons, Justin Teasdale, David Torcasio, Christopher Vickers, Jack Waller, Chris Weetra, Isaac Zomer, Trent

Would imagine so. If I can get the team list for the ressies I'll post it up tomorrow.

Ben Holland is named as one of about a dozen interchange players in Sandringham's team for Sunday. That list will be reduced by four when the final Melbourne side is announced and one additional player is also likely to go west. As for Benny, will he or won't he?

Sandringham meets the Tassie Devils who they gave an almighty spanking to earlier in the season at Aurora Stadium. Tasmania has regrouped under a new coach and have been playing better football while the Zebras have their backs to the wall after five consecutive losses. I know he has a lot of fans around here, so I'm sure you'll be thrilled to know that champion Sandringham full forward Nicholas Sautner will break Anthony Allen’s long-standing games record when he plays his 166th match for the Zebras on Sunday. Look for him on the front cover of the VFL Record. Tassie is a stand alone club so the VFL's 12:10 rule applies although I would be surprised if any more than 10 Demons take the field in this one given the likelihood that Melbourne will take at least one emergency to WA. Reading today's HUN it wouldn't surprise if Benny Holland missed again as well. Clint Bartram and Cale Morton are also named in the starting 18 for Melbourne on Sunday. Confused? Spectators at the game will also get a glimpse of a few of Tassie's carnival stars including draft hopefuls Aaron Cornelius, Mitch Robinson and Tom Salter (for more about this trio see here). SANDRINGHAM v TASMANIA Sunday 20th July Trevor Barker Beach Oval at 2:00pm SANDRINGHAM Backs Fleming Frawley C Liddell Half backs Biddlecombe Lamb Petterd Centreline Carroll Summers Gallagher Half forwards Williams Crowe McConnell Forwards Yze Sautner Dean Followers Meesen Gribbin Maric Interchange (from) Bode Holland M Johnston T Johnston Martyn Spencer White TASMANIA Backs Langford Richter Robinson Half backs Geappen Savage Thurley Centreline Bowden Shackleton Long Half forwards T Plummer S Plummer Vearing Forwards Howe Cornelius Taylor Followers Hardy Setchell Street Interchange (from) Allwright Andrews A Bielski Cassidy Creese Koulouriotis Salter Sheean In one of those strange quirks of the VFL fixture, Sandringham Reserves play North Ballarat Rereves this week - just a fortnight after the two sides met at Austar Arena in Ballarat on an icy morning that saw the Zebras fail to score a single major. I expect them to perform a darn sight better this week! Edit: I have deleted those players named in the Sandy squad who are going to Perth. I have also taken out James McDonald as he is the player apparently going over as emergency (based on - Final Selection: Davey only change - "Jeff White and Adem Yze will both play for Sandringham this week"). With White playing for Sandy it's unlikely that Jake Spencer will play for the seniors so depending on whether or not Benny saddles up this week, there will be 8 or 9 Demons in the team against Tassie.