The Sandringham Zebras have overcome a resilient Coburg Tigers side in a thrilling three-point victory at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday as Brendan Lucas reports.
After a slow start to the game, the Zebras showed their best after almost a quarter, as the intensity lifted, leading to an on the siren goal in the last quarter to clinch the game.
With both teams disappointing last season finishing ninth and eleventh respectively, new coach Brett Lovett returned to coach at a VFL level for the Zebras, and Adam Potter made his debut as the Tigers coach, making for a heated contest in the opening round for these two sides.
From the opening bounce things looked grim for the Zebras as the Tigers led the way with six goals in the first 15 minutes of the quarter. But the Zebras were quick to hit back with a running goal from Will Johnson, who was good all day kicking four, bringing Sandy within 11 points.
Good transitional play from Coburg in defence caused the Zebras a few headaches in the first quarter. A goal in the 23-minute mark to centre half forward Jayden Post, brought the lead out further.
However, a good spot up by Zebras on-baller Alastair Smith a few minutes later, led to a good goal to Nicholas Heyne to keep Sandringham 10 points from the lead at quarter time.
Zebras defender Ricky Ferraro was good and provided great run out of the backline for Sandringham for most of the day, and Shane Tuck was also impressive for the Tigers, with great intensity through the midfield.
The Zebras looked strong in second quarter kicking the first three goals in the first eight minutes. Coburg hit back with two quick goals after some tight contested football from end-to-end with impressive dribbled goals by Nick Carnell and James Lawton. At half time the Zebras led the way with a narrow 11 point lead.
After the half, a tight tussle between the teams continued, as only four goals were kicked in the quarter, with inaccurate scoring from the Tigers letting them down.
Sandringham utilised the corridor very effectively, which opened up the game in the third quarter, a blistering run with a few bounces by Jamie Cripps a highlight to round out the quarter, with the Zebras up by a goal at the last change.
At three quarter time Sandy were down to two men on the bench, with Tigers Coach Adam Potter telling the players at the huddle that they needed to exploit their deficit.
“There is plenty of run on the bench, they’re down to two, take some risks,” he said.
In contrast, Zebras coach Brett Lovett told the players that to win the game they needed to apply more pressure and have greater fluency in the forward half.
“Lower the eyes and spot up some targets in the forward line,” Lovett said.
Nine minutes into the last quarter scores were tied. A strong pack mark at the 22 minute mark by Coburg’s Jayden Post, followed by a goal to Nick Carnell and ex-Melbourne forward Brad Miller, who kicked his fourth for the day, seemed to destroy any hopes of a Zebras’ win.
But a flurry of goals from Sandringham late in the quarter, highlighted by some great clearance work from Ricky Ferraro set up a goal. A goal on the siren to the Zebras sealing an emphatic 3 point win, 16.12.108 to 16.9.105.
Sandringham -
Goal Kickers: W. Johnson 4, A. Siposs 3, N. Heyne 2, M. Lourey , M. Wade , R. Ferraro , J. Magner , J. Steven , A. McQualter , C. Irving
Best Players:T. Lynch, J. Steven, T. Simpkin, W. Johnson, R. Stanley, R. Ferraro
Coburg Tigers -
Goal Kickers: N. Carnell 4, B. Miller 3, B. Nason 3, P. Contin 2, S. Tuck 2, J. Post , J. Lawton
Best Players: J. Webberley, D. Grimes, M. Tanner, S. Tuck, B. Nason, N. Carnell
Last Modified on 04/04/2011 08:36