Sandringham recorded their first win of the season with a devastating 64-point victory against Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval. After a tense first half, the Zebras went found an extra gear in the second half, kicking 15 goals to five, as Nick Ciantar reports.
The Zebras and the Tigers went goal for goal in the first half in sunny conditions in Werribee. But after Sandringham coach Simon McPhee addressed his charges at the main break, they broke open the game by upping the ante with their midfield work.
“We weren’t winning it in the second quarter. We just challenged our mids to crack in a bit more and get (the) ball forward and we were able to do that,” Sandringham coach Simon McPhee said after the match.
Tom Curren (22 disposals, 5 tackles), Farren Ray (27 disposals), Adam Cockie (22 disposals, 5 tackles) and Tom Ledger (23 disposals) were all influential in the midfield. After Werribee got on top in clearance work in the first half, the Zebras challenged the Tigers.
“We just needed to take control of a few things, which the players did,” McPhee said.
Curren was tagged by Levi Greenwood, but to no avail and Cameron Shenton (15 disposals, 3 goals) played as a forward instead of his usual defensive role. McPhee made some changes to the structure and the team benefited with a big win.
After the Tigers kicked the first goal of the second half, the Zebras kicked six in a row to stretch the margin to 30 points. Hamish Shepheard was forced off the ground with an apparent foot injury and Lewis Pearce took the responsibility in the ruck with great success.
“The experience that Lewis has got, playing against David Hille and Orren Stephenson and young Currie today … he is playing against AFL ruckmen. It’s the best education you are going to get,” McPhee said.
Sandringham made more changes to their structure that included playing Jay Lever in the ruck and up forward, whilst Tom Hickey played in patches in the forward line as well.
McPhee was pleased after the match that players were able to get some vital experience.
“Just the fact that our young players get the opportunity to ruck against strong opposition is a bonus.”
The Zebras’ philosophy for the day was to run and carry and to tackle at all costs. Spencer White (13 disposals, 3 goals) consistently took the game on and kicked a wonderful goal after running over 60 metres with the ball.
“He is exciting and a lot of people know that. He is working with Adam Kingsley, Aaron Hamill and Paul Hudson and he has to be consistently good.”
Terry Milera was also a stand-out for the Zebras, kicking six goals. He used his pace and goal crumbing abilities all day, including a snazzy soccer goal in the last quarter.
“Tez (Terry Milera) is a really good player and we just wanted him to really strike at the ball and use his attributes,” McPhee said.
For Werribee, they could not get passed a tough Sandringham defence. Despite two goals in a row in the third quarter, they were comprehensively out played in the second half.
Ben Brown kicked two late goals for Werribee while Jarred Moore was strong with 23 disposals. But it is Sandringham’s quick run and carry off the backline which unsettled the Tigers’ defence.
Farren Ray and Sam Dunell took many contested marks, while Tom Simpkin held Ben Warren relatively quiet with three goals – two of those from free kicks. Jackson Ferguson returned from injury and did his job at full back as a loose defender.
McPhee was ecstatic that his team could win their first match after a tough start to the season.
“The resilience and character in the group is quite significant. Once they get a sniff, they were not going to let go.”
Sandringham meets the Northern Blues at home next Sunday, while Werribee travels to Simonds Stadium to face Geelong.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 27/04/2013 21:59