Sandringham succumbed to their first loss of the season last round against a competitive Footscray, and will be looking to try and return to the winners list against Werribee, as Nick Ciantar reports.
The Zebras were no match for Footscray and were comprehensively beaten in the midfield as the Bulldogs jumped out of the gates in the first term and led from start to finish.
Sandringham lacked run and carry from defence with classy defender Cameron Shenton called up to St Kilda’s team. Tom Lee played after missing the previous week but had little impact on the game. Captain Adam Cockie was among the best performed, finishing with 26 hard-fought disposals while Sam Dunell was consistent with 14.
The Zebras will need to adjust their forward line after the Dogs’ defenders out-muscled them.
Werribee had a bye last round and they will be refreshed. They defeated the Casey Scorpions by five points in a nail biter before their bye. They will have the confidence that they can take it up against Sandringham as they look towards a spot in the top four.
The Zebras have been dealt a massive blow with the competition leading goal kicker Trent Dennis-Lane ruled out with an ankle injury he sustained in the loss against Footscray.
Sandringham defender Tom Simpkin seems to be the ideal match-up for powerhouse forward Ben Warren, who is equal fourth on the goal kicking leaderboard. Taylor Hine has also had a strong start to the season for the Tigers and Peter Shakallis could head to him.
Both teams boast strong midfielders with Cockie, Myke Cook, Seb Ross and Brodie Murdoch for Sandringham, while Levi Greenwood, Tom Gribble and former Sydney Swan Jarred Moore for the Tigers.
The ruck will be another pivotal match-up for both teams with Tiger Daniel Currie and Dylan Reid up against an in-form Jason Holmes.
Sandringham’s attack has lost Dennis-Lane but they still have Tom Lee, Beau Maister and Spencer White. Trent Shinners will get the match-up on one of these three, while Scott McMahon will look to keep Zebra Darren Minchington quiet.
Sam Wormald will play his 100th game for Werribee this weekend.
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Last Modified on 16/05/2014 18:56