2011 VFL Seniors
Sandringham 2.3 6.5 11.7 15.8 (98)
Port Melbourne 2.5 8.7 11.10 17.12 (114)
GOALS:
Sandringham: Peake 3 Lynch 2 Gamble 2 Siposs 2 Heyne 2 Cripps Lourey Magner Irving
Port Melbourne: Valenti 2 Keely 2 Edwards 2 Rose 2 Bentick McMahon Deluca Galea Dillon Baird Dwyer Fanning Lynch
BEST:
Sandringham: Simpkin Magner CrippsArcher Eddy Ferguson
Port Melbourne: Dillon Sandilands Johnston Pleming Dalton Baird
2011 VFL Reserves
Sandringham 0.2 4.3 7.4 9.8 (62)
Port Melbourne 6.4 8.6 11.14 14.18 (102)
GOALS:
Sandringham: Jetta 4 Rist 2 Michaliades Crocker Newton
Port Melbourne: Burstin 5 Mullins 3 Allan 2 Purcell Woods Pitt Scipione
BEST:
Sandringham: Michaliades De Blecourt Jetta Orr Plostins Waller
Port Melbourne: Martin Woods Burstin Free Sengstock Muling
Seniors Match Report - By Serge D'Angelo
On a beautiful day for football in near perfect conditions the Zebras went into this game fully aware that this game would require every player to make a strong contribution for the entire 4 quarters,
This was a test for us, as we knew the opposition had also won its previous 2 games and were playing well
The score line is testament to the pressure of this game with both teams able to score goals quickly if given space. We had 9 different goal kickers for the day.
We started well in general play and had the ball in the fwd 50 many times through some excellent passages of play however we did not use the opportunities to add the scoreboard pressure we would have liked.
In the middle of the ground our on ballers were creating the turnovers with some excellent tackling. James Magner’s ability to win the contested ball was once again prominent as he; Chris Irving, Rob Eddy, Ricky Ferraro and Dean Polo (in his first outing for the season) won possession and drove the ball forward.
Tom Simpkins who has been in good form made football life very hard for Port and the dashing runs created from Jamie Cripps and Jackson Ferguson kept the scores close as both sides went the first break 3 points apart.
Port started to break lines in the 2nd term kicking 6 goals, however, the resolve of the Zebras could not be questioned as we fought back with some fine play in which we also posted 4 goals.
The long break had us 14 points down. The realization we had the ability to win this game was evident in the third term as we pulled back Ports lead to just 3 points with 5 very good goals, Cripps’ running goal was terrific but more importantly the Zebras intensified its defensive attitude all over the ground.
Our rebound from defence began to cause Port problems with Jackson Ferguson, James Hallanhan, Rob Eddy and Tom Simpkins creating attacking moves resulting in goals.
Ryan Gamble, Brett Peake, Mick Lourey, Tom Lynch, Arryn Siposs and Nick Heyne began to combine together and made better use of the chances created from some very hard work in our back half and midfield.
A combined tally of 10 goals was kicked in the final term in a great advertsisement for VFL football. The increased work rate around the midfield and 2 late goals was not enough to bridge the gap. As we could only manage 4 goals to Ports 6.
Daniel Archer who had battled against taller rucks all day, James Magner, Peake, Chris Irving’s, determination to get the ball forward in this term gave us every chance to take the lead. The cumulative impact of simple errors throughout the game reflected on the scoreboard and although we fought the game out very well we will no doubt continue to improve on those small disciplines pointed out by senior coach Brett Lovett.
Reserves Match Report - By Mick Ablett
Well another slow start has cost us the opportunity to get a victory over quality opposition. When you allow a team at this level a 40 point lead at quarter time (which in turn happened to be the final margin) it’s going to just about take a miracle to get the right result. The most disappointing thing for the group is the fact that they are more than capable of matching it with any team in the competition and that has been proven time and time again when we actually decide to play football on out terms. To the boys credit they didn’t throw in the towel after a disappointing start and showed the type of character that we have come to expect from this developing group of players by fighting back to get within 21 points at one stage.
The better performers for the day were pocket dynamo Chris Michalides who continues to impress week in week out with his ability to compete, his work rate and his courage making him very difficult to leave out of the Seniors. Rodney Jetta has also continued to develop nicely, this week getting reward for his efforts by booting 4 majors. Chris Waller in his second game for the year worked tirelessly down back repelling a number of attacks and gathering 21possessions along the way whilst young Sandy Dragon recruit Jesse Plostins has also put his hand up for Senior selection shutting down a quality opponent in defence when moved from attack after quarter time. James Orr played at Full Back on an opponent that kicked 6 goals the week prior and restricted his influence to just the solitary goal in a fine display of aggressive spoiling and competitiveness down back. Nathan Deblecourt (21 possessions) also did a fine defensive job down back on a very dangerous opponent whilst also setting up a number of attacks himself in a display of very good decision making with regards to coming off his opponent.
So we go in to the bye 1-2 and although disappointed not to have won more games early on there have been some fantastic signs with regards to the development of this young list of players. We have identified a number of areas for improvement that I have no doubt will hold us in good stead as the season progresses. The need for a win after the break becomes imperative to keep our season rolling along and I am confident after the weeks break to freshen up the boys will be hungry to do just that. We will certainly be working on our starts and what we can do to turn that around in the coming weeks as we just can’t afford to be behind the 8 ball from the word go. This is a very capable group whom we will continue to encourage believe in their own and their team mates ability. Go Zebs!
Last Modified on 19/04/2011 15:55
