In thrilling scenes at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham defeated the Northern Blues by 13 points, after trailing by as much as 38 points at the 20 minute mark in the third quarter. The Zebras slammed home seven goals in a row to hit the front in the final term and record win number two for the season, as Nick Ciantar reports.
Captain Marcus Marigliani (26 disposals, two goals) was moved forward after a shaky first half and he steered the ship successfully for a thrilling end to the game.
Sandringham assistant coach Ryan Webster praised his leader’s ability to come out firing in the second half.
“He (Marigliani) was a little bit off in the first half down back and we gave him a couple of roles to do. He stood up, kicked goals when he needed to and did exactly what a captain can do.”
Marigliani was not the only Zebras player to step up in the second half after the Northern Blues dominated the first two quarters. Webster explained that if the game was to be won, they needed to wear their jumper with pride.
“Our effort wasn’t up to scratch in the first half and we really just put it back on the players and said do you blokes really want to be here, it’s a bit of pride and needed some more effort out of them,” says Webster.
After the Blues did everything right in the first half, except for scoreboard pressure, the Zebras had a sniff at half time as they only trailed by 21 points. Levi Casboult kicked four goals for the day and the Zebras’ fragile defence could not contain him. While Luke Mitchell (3 goals) was providing the same physical presence.
Webster reiterated after the match that the Zebras just needed to stick to their guns.
“[If] we stick to our structures, we can play pretty good footy.”
Everything was smooth sailing for the Blues at half time. Tom Bell was hard to stop with 14 disposals and the Blues were too big and strong. But once the Blues made the margin 38 points, the Zebras went on a rampage.
At three quarter time the Zebras trailed by 14 points and had kicked the last four goals of the term. After Tom Hickey and Hamish Shepheard had played the majority of the game in the ruck, they played more up forward and young Lewis Pierce took the mantle of being the number one ruck.
“Both Shepheard and Hickey did very well in the ruck. Obviously Tom is a developing player and he is getting better and better. Shep probably doesn’t really play a bad one and his competiveness is exactly what we need,” Webster said.
This worked for the Zebras as they continued to press and eventually took the lead. The Blues managed to break the unanswered goal streak through a long goal by Tim Totevski. The quarter went goal for goal and both teams had numerous chances to convert.
“There was a few things in the last quarter when it could have gone either way. Blakey’s (Jason Blake) spoil over near the scoreboard and then Tommy Curren’s smother down here in the forward pocket and they create goals. So it is those small efforts that get us across the line,” said an excited Webster after the game.
But it was the Zebras that absorbed the Blues’ pressure and Jackson Ferguson snapped a last minute goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Chris Michaliades worked relentlessly all day and finished with 22 disposals, seven tackles and two goals. Webster was ecstatic with his effort after the game.
“Michaliades was fantastic. At numerous times he beats two/three players on his own and creates the ball going forward for us.”
When the Zebras were fighting to stay in it in the first half, Kenny Ong (12 disposals, 4 tackles) stood up and provided some perfect ball use. In only his first season at the club, the young Zebra stood up when the club need him most.
“Ong was great, his use of the ball was brilliant,” said Webster.
Tom Ledger was consistent with 31 disposals and his run and carry helped the Zebras break the Blues’ line, especially with his 11 disposals in the final term. Farren Ray was courageous on the wing with 26 disposals, four tackles and two goals while Myke Cook (23 disposals, 3 tackles and 3 goals) attacked the ball head-on.
The Zebras rose in the second half and capped off an amazing seven goal run with a thrilling win. The Blues had no answers, despite an impressive showing by Bell (26 disposals) and Kane Lambert (25).
The VFL has the State game next weekend and all teams have a break.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 15:04