For the second match in-a-row, Sandringham has produced a mammoth last-quarter effort, only to miss out on the four points as Troy Hallam reports.
Williamstown were kicking with a strong breeze in the first quarter, with all kicks travelling towards the Sautner goal gaining an extra 10 to 20 metres. This aided the Seagulls as their midfielders won much of the contested football and centre breaks, using a series of link-and-run handballs to break open the Zebra’s defence, ensuring the ball travelled deep into their forward 50, where they were able to capitalise for most of the quarter.
St Kilda’s James Gwilt, returning from a knee reconstruction, was strong in defence in his first game back, and was able to hit up targets further afield, but when the ball entered the Zebra’s forward 50, Williamstown ferociously attacked the ball carrier, and their forward pressure was enough to keep Sandringham to only two points in the first quarter - kicking five of their own.
Sandringham coach Simon McPhee wanted more second and third efforts from his players in the second quarter, and wanted all his midfielders to lift as a group. They responded in the second quarter, but poor disposal efficiency hurt them all over the ground, as well as on the scoreboard. It wasn’t until the 17-minute mark when Zebras’ defender James Hallahan registered their first goal of the day. The Seagull’s midfield continued to dominate with Ben Jolley and Jamie McNamara seemingly running freely through the corridor, as well as Andrew Hooper finding plenty of space up forward. The Zebras weren’t able to take advantage of the breeze, kicking 3.8, going into the main break with a 27-point deficit.
Sandringham started strong in the third quarter, with a goal by Daniel Archer and then one on the run by Adam Cockie, who was able to gain space in the third quarter. The Zebras looked like they were gaining some momentum against the breeze, but a goal by Alex Greenwood steadied the Seagull’s ship and they went into the last quarter with a 33-point lead.
Williamstown coach Peter German was happy with the team’s performance, but stressed for them to keep playing the game on their terms, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears as Sandringham came out firing in the last term kicking three goals in the first five minutes of the quarter, until Ben Jolley kicked truly to give the Seagull’s some breathing space.
The contested footy was fierce, and Sandringham’s Myke Cook started seeing more of the ball feeding it into their forward line, but the likes of Williamstown’s James Wall and Stephen Witowski stood firm in defence, and it took a freakish snap by Beau Wilkes to bring the margin down to eight points.
When Tom Ledger capitalised on a Seagull’s error it was one point the difference with 27 minutes gone. It looked to be another nail-biter, but as the heavens opened up, two fantastic goals by Zephaniah Skinner, and one by Tom Hill washed away any chances of a Sandringham win, the final score being Sandringham 11.16.82 defeated by Williamstown 15.11.101.
Last Modified on 23/04/2012 20:19