Sandringham has started its season in fine fashion, kicking six goals to one in the last quarter to claim a 20-point win against Frankston in the season opener.
Jack Billings was the star of the final term, stepping up with four goals, as the Zebras won 17.5 (107) to 11.21 (87), as Nick Cianter reports.
Billings, St Kilda’s 2013 No.3 draft pick, kicked five crucial goals for the Zebras in the second half and Sandringham assistant coach Brendan Allen was pleased with his performance.
“He (Billings) was the one who finished the work,” said Allen.
“We’ve been into Jack about winning his own footy and he did that and got the rewards on the scoreboard.”
Breezy conditions wreaked havoc at Frankston Oval with Frankston kicking 21 behinds for the afternoon. The Dolphins had the wind behind them in the first quarter and kept attacking the Zebras’ defence. Experienced ruckman Russell Gabriel (13 disposals, 6 marks) was matched up against new American recruit Jason Holmes (4 disposals, 4 tackles), which allowed the Dolphins to win centre clearances.
The Dolphins put the scoreboard pressure on early, leading by 16 points at quarter time.
After the quarter time break, Sandringham kicked four straight goals to lead by nine points halfway through the term. Adam Cockie (18 disposals, 8 tackles) was ruthless in the midfield while new recruits Piers Flanagan (12 disposals, 5 marks) and James Munro (15 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles) began to impact the game with their run.
The Zebras kicked six goals to four in the second quarter, with three of the visitors goals from Tom Lee (11 disposals, 5 marks, 4 goals).
Sandringham’s runners ran the ball out of defence as the Dolphins kept attacking vigorously, but the Zebras led by 18 points at half time.
Frankston emerged after the main break with the intensity that they showed in the first quarter and kicked three quick goals. Khan Haretuku (9 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals) caused problems for Josh Bruce (23 disposals, 9 marks) but the Dolphins could not make it count on the scoreboard.
They kicked four goals, six behinds to the Zebras’ one goal in the third term, and had numerous inside 50 entries. Shannon Taylor (14 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal) was single handedly bringing the Dolphins back into the game but they could not keep up the scoreboard pressure.
Billings kicked a late goal for Sandringham to stem the tide, as Frankston led by five points at the last break.
The lead proved not enough, as Sandringham stormed home with the breeze to claim their first win of the season.
Sandringham stand-in coach Paul Hudson’s match-ups proved vital in the contest, pinpointing key Dolphins to reduce the impact of.
Maverick Weller (18 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal) kept ball magnet Leigh Kitchin (10 disposals, 6 tackles) quiet, Cameron Shenton (24 disposals, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal) played a defensive role on Ziggy Alwan (11 disposals, 1 behind) and Frankston forward Michael Lourey (4 disposals) was well-held by Tom Simpkin (10 disposals, 5 marks).
“He (Weller) did the job on Kitchin and kept him to four disposals in the first half.
“In the last quarter when we needed to win the game, we released him and I think he had four or five clearances and drove the ball on numerous occasions,” said Allen.
“We executed at times and I think it was a game of two halves and we are lucky at the end that a bit of polish showed through.
“It is a long season and we are going to build to get better week by week.“
Sandringham will play reigning premiers Box Hill Hawks away on Sunday at 2pm, while Frankston will travel to Visy Park to face the Northern Blues at 2pm.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 07/04/2014 17:02