Sandringham's well-earned 10-point victory over Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval has put the Zebras in equal top position on the ladder as the VFL competition moves into Season 2004's home stretch. The visitors dominated for three quarters and led by 45 points at the final break before overcoming a spirited comeback from the Borough which finished strongly with six final quarter goals.
Conditions for the game at North Port were perfect after a week of cold winds, rain and generally awful weather. The old Port Melbourne ground sits on the outskirts of a great metropolis and provided a great backdrop for a game that was truly fascinating on a number of different levels. The result was a game of a high standard with both teams showing great intensity and skills.
First and foremost this was a clash between the leading teams representing two of the strongest clubs in the VFL competition - clubs that have established a great rivalry over many years. Port Melbourne and Sandringham are generally accepted as being of the highest stature among their peers and each was desperate to establish a measure of superiority over the other in anticipation of the almost inevitable further encounters in September.
Both sides had a large complement of AFL listed players including some big names in football with most of those names fighting desperately for promotion to teams holding strong positions in the AFL finals race. On the Port Melbourne side Corey McKernan was desperate to regain his place with the Kangaroos as were the experienced Shane Clayton, promising young ruckman David Hale and rover Shane Harvey. Sandringham had a huge contingent of Melbourne listed players battling for at least two places in the Demon team that have become vacant due to the injuries to Scott Thompson and Paul Wheatley.
The battle between AFL listed players wasn't the only fascinating aspect of the match. Last week Borough coach Gerard Fitzgerald was at the helm of an VFL representative side that beat the WAFL and a few Zebras were keen to prove his decision to go into a State game without any Sandringham players was not so clever. Full forward and VFL leading goalkicker Nick Sautner proved his point with five goals including the match sealer a minute or so before the end. Utility Sean O'Keefe was equally devastating as he picked up numerous possessions in a near best on ground display. Adam Fisher, who went to WA but missed out on a game, skipper Chad Liddell and Andy Mills also reminded Fitzgerald that there is plenty of talent around the traps at Sandy.
The game opened at a cracking pace and Fisher was happy to take a free kick and a soft 50-metre penalty to notch the first goal. An arm wrestle ensued for the remainder of the first half of the opening term before the Zebs cracked the game open in five devastating minutes. With Daniel Ward, Travis Johnstone and Daniel Bell sweeping the ball out of defence and O'Keefe and Guy Rigoni prominent in the midfield, the ball was being pumped forward regularly. A beautiful pass to Sautner for a goal broke the impasse and then the strength and fantastic work rate of Simon Godfrey came to the fore. Godders kicked three goals in a remarkable five-minute patch and by quarter time, Port was in trouble.
The Zebras kept up the pressure in the second quarter and it was Godfrey again who added a couple more goals to make it five on the board by half time. Sandringham was winning the physical clashes with a number of Port players feeling the effects of some fierce tackling and bone crushing bumps. The defence was running the ball forward with fluid movements and was well led by skipper Liddell (who did a great job matching up on the taller Chad Jones), ABC man-of-the-match Ward in slashing form with 19 kicks and 6 handballs and Peter Walsh who was not far behind him with 21 effective touches. The only cloud on the horizon for Sandy was the fact that talented youngster Colin Sylvia was limping as the team went into the rooms at half time.
Sandringham continued to dominate after the main break maintaining great spirit and playing as a tight unit. The Zebras were winning at the stoppages and Johnstone was putting on a display of sublime skills with 19 classy disposals for the game while Godfrey continued to be the tower of strength getting his hands on the ball 27 times. If not for some poor kicking for goal in the third term (4.8 to 3.0) the Borough would have been truly buried by the end of the quarter.
But Port Melbourne is renowned for its fighting spirit and this game proved to be no exception as it fought back strongly with the first five goals of the final quarter to get to within 10 points at the 24 minute mark. Sandringham's team balance had been upset when ruckman Mark Jamar went off with soreness in his hamstring and defender Chris Lamb suffered a bad corked thigh but the Zebras were not to be denied and a deft handball from Luke Williams to Sautner for his fifth goal wrapped up the game at the 27-minute mark. A late goal to Port was simply too late to prevent Sandringham from scoring a satisfying and well deserved win enabling it to grab second place on the table, just behind their rivals on percentage.
Sandringham 6.2.38 9.5.59 13.13.91 14.13.97
Port Melbourne 1.4.10 4.4.28 7.4.46 13.9.87
Goals Godfrey Sautner 5 Armstrong Fisher Mills Rigoni
Best: Ward O'Keefe Walsh Mills Johnstone Godfrey Sautner Liddell
In the early game, Port Melbourne reserves jumped Sandringham and led all day to regain top spot on the VFL ladder. The Zebras fought back strongly but were never able to bridge the gap. Ruckman Aaron Bishop and midfielder Robbie Ferraro pressed their claims for reinclusion into the senior team while Demon big man kicked three goals up forward returning from a long lay off due to a knee injury. Ryan Ferguson continued to impress on his comeback from injury. Leigh Fletcher and Kenton Hall worked hard all day for the Zebras and were among their team's best players. Sandy has dropped to third place on the ladder in a tight competition behind Port and the Northern Bullants - all three are on 8 wins.
Sandringham 2.0.12 7.2.44 10.6.66 13.9.87
Port Melbourne 5.5.35 10.6.66 15.8.98 19.8.122
Goals D Jolly Treloar 3 D Carson Ritterman 2 Johnson Johnston Mentiplay
Best Ferguson Bishop Hall Fletcher Ferraro Mann
SANDRINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB ANNUAL GALA DINNER AUCTION
The Annual Sandringham Football Club Dinner Auction will be held at 7pm on Saturday 24th July at the Dingley International.
$50 per head includes 3 course meal & entertainment. Drinks at bar prices.
Make your own tables.
There will be many great items to be bought for a bargain. If you would like to donate an item to be auctioned please contact the club on 9598 8629.
Last Modified on 18/02/2008 11:02