Sandringham full forward and multiple Frosty Miller Medallist Nick Sautner kicked 11 of his team's 16 goals to instigate its nine-point victory at Frankston Oval on Sunday. He was the one constant in the game marking everything that came his way and kicking with deadly accuracy. Even when the supply of the ball to the forward line became limited after half time, Sautner was still kicking them and his two in the third term and a solitary major in the last were his team's only goals scored after the main break.
It was one of those matches that can be best described as "a game of two halves" with the Zebras dominant until the main break and the Dolphins then reigning supreme but falling short of snatching what would have been a great come from behind victory.
Sandringham came out of the blocks superbly. With Mark Jamar back in the ruck and the on ballers dominant, the Zebras swarmed around the ball and moved forward in waves to score seven goals (four to Sautner) in the opening 15 minutes. The ball rarely went forward for the Dolphins and the situation was embarrassing for the home side when Sautner took his tally of goals to five to give Sandy a 47-point lead against a goalless Frankston at quarter time.
The second quarter saw a more even tussle between but the Zebras remained strong at the stoppages and managed to extend the margin to 53 points at the half way mark. By that time Sautner, who booted 170 goals for Frankston in his stint there during 2001-2, had kicked eight goals straight.
At this stage it was still a real team effort and there were very few Zebras who could be said not to be contributing. The midfield was outstanding with Phil Read, Steven Armstrong, Brock McLean, David Gallagher and Sean O'Keefe causing havoc around the ground while Chris Lamb, Luke Williams, Daniel Bell and Rod Crowe were strong down back.
But if the first half of football was exciting for Sandringham supporters, the second was dismal and disappointing. The Zebras simply stopped running and the Dolphins came to life playing inspirational football. They worked hard in the clinches and rebounded effectively. Suddenly, it was Frankston that was doing the all the scoring while the Sandy team was at a standstill. But for the efforts of Sautner (who else?), Jamar who marked everything in sight and Steven Armstrong who attacked the ball with great ferocity, the result might have even been different with the Dolphins surging into attack even as the final siren sounded.
Sandringham has the bye this week and coach Mark Williams will no doubt use the break to drum into his troops that they must learn not to switch off in the middle of a game even when holding a big lead.
Sandringham 8.2.50 13.4.82 15.5.95 16.7.103
Frankston 0.3.3 4.5.29 9.8.62 14.10.94
Goals Sautner 11 Armstrong McLean O'Keefe Read Rigoni
Best Sautner Read Armstrong O'Keefe Lamb Williams
The Zebra reserves had an early scare against the winless Dolphins who were not even expected to be competitive after a string of poor performances. The Dolphins were on their game this week however, taking a 3 point lead at the first break. But for Sandringham's accurate kicking for goal, they could have held the lead at half time and even made a game of it in the end. The Zebras would have expected better than a 28 point win over a team with Frankston's record this year.
Andy Biddlecombe was Sandy's best and appreciated having a full game after being dropped from the senior side. Dale Carson was strong in front of goal while Jason Ritterman showed plenty of pace for the Zebras.
The Zebras are now in third place and, with the top two sides North Ballarat and Port Melbourne facing each other next week, Sandringham has an opportunity to move up the ladder with a win over Williamstown this Saturday at Burbank Oval, Williamstown starting at 1.45. The last time these sides met was in a semi final when the Seagulls slaughtered the Zebras so Sandy will have lots of incentive to do well.
Sandringham 3.0.18 7.1.43 12.2.74 16.4.100
Frankston 3.3.21 5.7.37 7.9.52 10.12.72
Goals Carson 4 Campbell 3 Ferraro Mentiplay 2 Fletcher Gadsden Lewski Mann Paterakis
Best Biddlecombe Carson Ott Fletcher Ferguson Lewski Ritterman
SANDRINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB - 75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER
The Sandringham Football Club 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner will be held on Friday 28 May at "The International of Brighton". The night will incorporate the announcement of the inaugural inductees into the Sandringham Football Club "Hall of Fame" and the unveiling of the Team of the Century Portrait. All are welcome - For bookings please phone 9598-8629.
Last Modified on 18/02/2008 10:05