Practice Match V Port Melbourne
Seniors
Sandringham: 11.9.75
Port Melbourne: 17.16.118
Goals: Cahill 2, Stanley, Boland, Ferguson, Eddy, Lourey, Cathcart, Winmar, Meehan, Gallagher 1
Best: Eddy, Ferguson, Gallagher, Dawson, Andreoli, Irving
Reserves
Sandringham: 14.5.89
Port Melbourne: 16.14.100
Goals: Boland 4, Siposs 4, Barnes 3, McBain, Rist , Michalaides 1
Best: Andrews, Michalaides, Curren, Stapleton, Boland, Siposs
Reserves Match Report by Coach Mick Ablett
Well after our second loss of the pre-season against what turned out to be a very strong Port Melbourne line-up containing 4 ex-AFL players, we continue to show a number of positive signs and continued improvement. Although not getting the result we were after, the brand of football that the boys displayed certainly will give the Zebra faithful something to look forward to.
The loss of our ruckman (Tom McMahon) through injury early in the game and our Full-Forward (Matthew Boland) due to a late Senior call-up left a hole in the big men ranks, however the continued improvement of our younger talls (Jesse Plostins, Tim Quick and Warrick Stone) highlighted the depth coming through. In a game that replicated the previous week, the boys were still under the bed spread for the first 15-20 minutes of the game and allowed Port to get out to an early 7 goal lead and in a competition as good as what the VFL is it’s always going to be tough to get back from there. However, in a sign of maturity and dedication to the Game Plan the boys again worked their way back into the game.
The forward pressure/zone, work rate and numbers around the contest was second to none. A number of times Port were forced to go backwards and wide due to the relentless pressure we applied. The togetherness and support for each other was clearly evident throughout the game and sent a very clear message to the competition that this Sandringham group won’t be taking a backward step in 2011.
Better players for the day included two up and coming St Kilda stars Arryn Sippos and Tom Curran. Sippos kicked 4 goals in a very lively display at Centre Half Forward, the last of which he calmly slotted on his non-preferred from 45m out raising a number of eyebrows around Trevor Barker Oval. Tom Curran showed his class through the midfield, winning more than his fair share of contested football, whilst also showing his ability to deliver the footy lace out going forward. Chris Michalides backed up last weeks good form with another impressive performance on the Wing, showing plenty of courage and a work ethic that has seen him develop in to an important player within the group. Ricky Newton continues to show why his pace will prove a major headache for opposition sides, slicing his way through various opponents and breaking the game open. Matthew Boland was impressive in his first game for the pre-season kicking 4 majors before being taken off half way through the 3rd due to a late Senior call-up, whilst Andrew Fleming in his first hit-out won back plenty of football down back in a display of courage that would make Glenn Archer proud.
We move on to Frankston this week for the final hit-out before the real stuff starts in a game which we expect to see the boys finally piece together a full four quarter performance.
Last Modified on 21/03/2011 13:47
