Minka Beaver

Was Primus tipping in $1 million last year? I thought it was around $1.5 million for the two logos - anybody know?

I saw Jurrah play last year. His movement was typical of many who play in the frenetic, free-style tempo of desert footy. Leading towards the flanks, he had great recovery skills - would mark in the air, and then in the same movement start turning to run past his opponent and towards the goal. He kicked 2.1 that day and was the most threatening player Collingw&%$ had. He was a good kick on the run too. He kicked eight goals in his four games with Collingw&%$ VFL, and was best for the Magpies in his first game for them (a loss against the Northern Bullants). It was a marvellous effort considering how fractured, slow and cautious their midfield was last year.

Exactly. As Barry so regularly says, it's those VFL listers and 'in-betweeners' on ability that keep them up there - Biddlecombe, Liddell, Poyas, Sautner, Crowe, Summers et al. They've also been served well by a great club atmosphere fostered on winning games of footy. I remember chatting with Chris Lamb a few months ago; was impressed that someone who IMO was treated fairly shabbily in his development by the Demons has stayed on at the club. Rigoni is another who stayed on when he could just as easily have put the cue in the rack. A few of those VFL listers signed contracts with the Zebras that are rumoured to expire at the end of the season. Will be interesting to see if they stay on for 2009.

Just to add, the final term and after match interviews can be found at vflfooty.com (Don't worry about the nuff-nuffs commentating, they can be turned down or abused on here ;p)

I think some of it has to do with the inclusion of MFC players. Of the nine players coming into the side yesterday, six were MFC listed, three of whom are clearly fighting for their footy careers. It showed up with a bit of kick-chasy by the Zebras during the opening term, when their indirectness and slowness in transition was in obvious and negative contrast with the direct, team-orientated performance shown by Werribee (who only fielded two fewer AFL listed players - 10 to 8). For so long successful with the addition of MFC players in finals, that performance against North Ballarat in the 2007 semi-final was appalling. From what I've seen, Sandringham have never been quite the same since, admittedly allowing for the loss at various stages this season of Sautner, Poyas, Liddell and Gallagher (who made his return through the reserves yesterday). I don't think there's all that much sinister about it, just that it seems a little more than coincidence that Sandringham's worst form for six years has come in the weeks since the alignment with St Kilda was revealed. The players are obviously trying, but the side's confidence looks shot and they are terrible at the stoppages and at kick-ins. Taking off my Melbourne hat and replacing it with that of a VFL observer, I think the reminder of this season and next year will be fascinating viewing to see how the Zebras respond to this lull.

Hi guys, I posted this in regards to a query about Michael Newton, but here was my take on the Zebras performance: He led out strongly and kicked 2.3, but two of the three misses were set-shots from in front. One miss during the third term came at a critical time when his side were on a role and could have brought the margin back to (from memory) one point. Juice had two opponents during the course of the game, Scott Thompson (a North Melbourne listed player), and James Saker. Interestingly he led wide even with Nick Sautner pushing high up the ground (very unusual tactic - Sautner almost always plays close to the goalsquare). One mark that Juice took early in the third term was impressive. Rarely for him today he was caught behind in a marking contest, but superior strength and reach meant that on this occasion he kept his ground to out-body Thompson. As for Sandy - they lacked a game plan, were beaten at the stoppages and couldn't get anyone to fill the space at full-forward when Newton and Sautner were trying to lead into the pockets/up the ground. White was beaten in ruck in the first half by Todd Goldstein, but was better after half-time. Yze (29 possessions) was good, but responsible for chasing touches i felt at times. Still one of the best though for Sandy. Carroll (18 possessions) was OK, but his decision making was iffy. Strangely, Frawley seemed to spend more time than Chopper on James Podsiadly. Even at the slower, lower level his skills rebounding from defence cause concern. Bell (23 possessions) was honest and encouragingly didn't make any noticeable clangers. I don't know who the Zebras named as their best, but I reckon Morton would've gone close with 33 touches and a wonderful goal. He kicked Sandy's first with the breeze early in the 2nd term off one step, with a hook around the body from just over 50m out. Extraordinary kick. The drop to the VFL has been good for him - his ability and the slower pace mean that he's backing himself and pulling off some very good passes. Nine changes (many MFC enforced) meant that the Zebs lacked structure. This was the first time that they've lost three in a row since 2002, and it looks as if we could have an increasingly messy divorce on our hands. Just a pity I had to cover this game and couldn't be at the MCG - that's both wins I've missed this year!

That's about as good an assessment as you'll find. His size (176cm, 80kgs) means he is extemely limited in the roles he can play. About his pace - he's actually quite good off the mark, and has a good burst over the first 10 metres. This allows him to break clear of packs and give him time to line up teammates by foot (a notable differentiation from Mitchell whose preferred option of disposal in close is a handpass that will break open the play). After that, he falls right off and struggles to beat opponents to loose balls. His placement to leading forwards is excellent - he has a great ball drop and delivers some beautiful low passes. But he'll have less time to execute those passes if he makes into the AFL. The VFL is full of good footballers whose bodies and talents don't or wouldn't translate well to the AFL (eg David Robbins, Fort Caruso, Kyle Matthews). It will be tough for Valenti to break that mould.

Whispering Jack - you're spot on in that VFL matches are won by experienced players with hardened bodies. The kids that aren't on AFL lists will likely never have the requisite stamina or conditioning when they are part-timers who train usually no more than three times a week. Matches are won by those guys that are 'in-betweeners': not good enough to be regulars at AFL level, but experienced enough (both physically and mentally) to excel at VFL standard. I don't think Sandringham will lose next week, but there is a risk in undermining their opponents, even with the Zebras being bolstered by AFL inclusions. North Ballarat's finish to their match yesterday was even more astonishing than Sandy's - 11.5 to 0.1 in the final term, 17.14 in a half of footy. With the Kangaroos also involved in the finals, they don't have the luxury of bringing back AFL players like Sandy do, but they do now have some semblance of a settled side. Their VFL listed players (Moloney, Stephenson, Ayden George, Lachie George, Gregg etc) are among the best non-AFL listed players in the comp. (If anything, the flaky performances that I've seen have usually been because of the Kangaroos' players letting them down). That's why I think it will be a more even contest than many here are expecting.

Conventional wisdom is that they're still on course following a brave loss, but I reckon they could be in trouble. It's the VFL listed players who lead from the front for Sandy; Gallagher and Lamb are already two big losses, plus a couple of other VFL listed players seemed to be playing out the match with very tired/sore bodies. Will be interesting to see if Jamar does actually return. Neaves and S Martin were very good as tap rucks today, and I'm not sure Jamar adds all that much else around the ground. Even with MFC players returning next weekend, they will still carry some very inexperienced footballers into the Semi-Final. Their next opponents (North Ballarat) staged a truly astonishing comeback today. They're the most schizophrenic side in the league (either brilliant or dreadful), and have already knocked the Zebras off once this year. Could be a fascinating contest.

Which ground were you at? The recent upgrade of the transmittor means that the coverage has been going out more smoothly and to further distances in recent times. So you might be able to listen at the ground on the trannie, but unfortunately I can't make any promises. We still have licence restrictions (as a community station) which means we only have a very limited range, while Double X still have a delay of about 40 secs (not too sure, but I think they might be trying to fix that).

Or alternatively you could support one of Demonland's own and listen to the game on Casey Radio, 3SER (97.7fm). For those not in the south-east of Melbourne, there is streaming online at www.3ser.org.au Streaming has noticeably improved in recent weeks, so buffering problems should not be encountered in the manner that used to occur. We broadcast from the social club, so it usually gives the coverage an interesting 'edge' as well. Enjoy the game!

Hi guys, Anyone wanting to listen to the Sandringham v Box Hill game can tune into 3SER, 97.7 fm for live commentary starting at 1.45pm. Casey Radio's coverage is limited to the south-eastern suburbs, but we can be heard well on most car radios throughout Melbourne and Geelong, or alternatively you can tune in over the internet at www.3ser.org.au Join Chris Weaver and Tristan Foenander as they bring you all the action, with Anthony Brady and Phil Pearce adding comments and interviews throughout the match.

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?