Photo by Dave Savell
2012 Peter Jackson VFL
Sandringham 5.5 10.6 13.10 16.16 (112)
Geelong Cats 3.3 7.10 10.15 15.18 (108)
GOALS:
Sandringham: Archer 4, Brown 3, Curren 3, Schneider, Polo, Ledger, Cook, Dowler, Hallahan
Geelong Cats: Hollmer 4, Horlin-Smith 2, Barham 2, Walker 2, McCarthy, Byrnes, Simpkin, Kersten Sheringham
BEST:
Sandringham: Clarke, Ross, Sikora, Cook, Ledger, Cockie
Geelong Cats: McLean, Simpkin, Selwood, Sheringham, Hollmer
Sandringham defeats a resilient Geelong - By Nick Ciantar
Sandringham faced Geelong at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday, in what was a highly anticipated match. It was the battle of 3rd against 4th and it lived up to all of its expectations. On a perfect day down at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham defeated Geelong 16.16:112 to 15.18:108. The Zebras lead for the majority of the day, though the Cats never stopped trying.
The game was a classic shootout. Tom Ledger started the day for Sandringham with a great team running goal. The Zebras had the majority of the play early, with Tom Curren providing the highlights kicking three goals in the first term. Sandringham replied quickly to all of Geelong’s goals and a great game of footy was ahead of us. Sandringham went into the first break with a handy 14 point lead.
“When we did win the footy and moved it on quickly, was when we scored” said Sandringham Development coach Brendan Allen.
Sandringham wanted to move the ball quickly and this was shown through the second quarter where they outnumbered the Geelong defence. On numerous occasions the Zebra’s found avenues to goal from crumbing the ball and quick kicks into the fifty. Adam Schneider delivered a perfect kick to James Hallahan, who converted with a goal. After a Geelong goal, Darcy Brown replied quickly with a great crumbing goal. In what was Brown’s first game of the year in the senior side, he took his chances and finished with three goals for the day.
“(Darcy Brown) Went out there unassuming (and) kicks three goals, had a fantastic game.”
At the main break, Sandringham maintained their handy lead of 14 points. Daniel Archer started the third quarter well, taking a great contested mark at the top of the goal square and converted.
“Can’t fault Dan Archer’s attack on the footy today, he had four goals three (behinds).”
Archer was solid all day for the Zebra’s and played great in the third quarter, kicking two goals from quick passages of play. Sandringham got as much as 24 points up, till the Cats steadied and kicked the last two goals. Going into the last quarter, the Zebra’s were still up by a handy 13 points.
The last quarter saw some changes for the Zebra’s. Beau Dowler was moved forward for a brief period and this worked as he kicked a great goal. The game was played end to end, with many stoppages and goals. The Cats would kick a goal and the Zebra’s would reply straight away, the game was a real shoot out. Brown kicked his third goal for the day late in the game, to make the margin 14 points, before the Cats made some Zebra supporters worried, kicking a goal late in the game. Sandringham eventually won the game by four points.
“Raph Clarke was our standout by far. Mick Sikora was probably his best game to date. The way he battled and followed up with tackles and pressure.”
Raph Clarke played a standout game for the Zebras. He led from the back and had 27 touches, including 10 marks. Michael Sikora played one of his best games against Dawson Simpson. Myke Cook, Tom Ledger, Tom Curren and Adam Cockie were all dominant in the midfield, with Cook amassing 30 touches with four tackles and a goal. Cockie played another great game, finishing with 25 disposals and laying six tackles, the most for the Zebra’s.
“Defensively we need to get better across the whole field. We need to string four quarters of football together. If we can do that, we can match it with any side in the competition.”
There are still some area’s that Sandringham would like to work on though. After starting the year with six wins from eight games, they will be very pleased with their progress so far. Sandringham sits second on the ladder after round nine, with their only defeats to Coburg and Williamstown, by five points and 21 points respectively. The Zebra’s have played some good attacking footy to date, with Cockie, Cook and Sikora all having a positive input on the field. At times the Zebra’s have had some rough patches, though they have always responded to the coach’s word. Sandringham has won their last four games and will be going into a two week break with full confidence.
All teams miss games this weekend, due to the State match. Sandringham player Myke Cook has been selected in the State squad. Sandringham will resume on the 10th of June against Frankston at Frankston Oval. Sandringham will miss two games, due to the bye the week after the State game.
Last Modified on 21/05/2012 10:10