The Zebras were beaten at ground level and were second to the ball in the first half, and struggled to find a regular spark up forward. Led well by the returning Craig Ellis in a fine four quarter performance at centre half back, Sandy’s defence supported by Heath Tregear, Robbie Ferraro, Sam Radford and Demons Ryan Ferguson and Nathan Carroll, was kept busy.
Coach Graeme Yeats made a telling move at the main break switching Ryan Ferguson to centre half forward and Damian Lynch back to defence. The Zebra midfield lifted their rating giving greater support to the backs and pumping the ball forward more purposefully and with increased regularity. Ferguson in turn, relishing the move, attacked the ball with surprising vigour. He took eight terrific marks and booted 3 telling goals, 2 from very acute angles. Lachlan Oakley was a good foil, and as the rain pelted down, created more opportunities for the smaller forwards.
Chris Bryan toiled manfully in the difficult conditions, sharing ruck duties with an impressive Nick Smith. This enabled David Gallagher, Barnaby Howarth, David Robbins Mark Haynes and Adam Fisher to gather more of the ball, especially in the clinches. Guy Rigoni battled hard but found it hard to break away and be damaging. Ezra Poyas was industrious, presenting well as a target for defensive clearances, Jared Rivers was dogged and poised, and Cameron Hunter continued to impress on his wing. Unfortunately the Zebras lost the services of Chad Liddell in the first quarter with a serious knee injury and Aaron Rogers with a bruised hip in the second quarter after a fearful collision in a marking contest. His Werribee opponent came off second best, incurring a collarbone or shoulder injury.
With the bye next week, the Zebras sit comfortably with a two game break in 4th spot, and the imminent return of some injured players should give them renewed impetus for a spirited run to the finals in the second half of the season.
Sandringham: 1.5.11 2.13.25 7.15.57 9.16.70
Werribee: 3.5.23 5.7.37 7.11.53 9.12.68
Goals:Ferguson 3, Oakley, Liddell, Hunter, Gallagher, Howarth, Fisher
Reserves
The Zebra reserves emerged victorious in an even tussle in largely rain free conditions. It was a low scoring game full of pressure and defensive concentration, with neither side able to score easily. Most shots early came from snaps under pressure.
Despite being depleted as compared to previous weeks, the Zebras stuck to their task manfully. After finally gaining the ascendancy in the ruck in the last quarter with the returning Luke McNicholas, the Zebras were able to power away with 5 goals to 1. Dale Carson was kept well in check for most of the game, but was always a threat and earned a couple of free kicks as the result of some scragging by his opponent. Luke Mann’s accuracy and Michael Talbot and Matthew Gadsen at ground level offered good support. Jonathan Kane was resolute in defence along with Ari Lewski, Matthew Warnock and Rick Hayward, while Leigh Fletcher, Andrew Treloar and Toby Conroy led a hard working midfield.
As injuries at Sandy begin to take their toll on player depth, Mark Sarau’s team continues to impress with its attitude and commitment. After the bye, they meet the depleted Springvale, and the same qualities will be needed to take advantage of that team’s current predicament, and to gain a top four finals berth.
Sandringham: 1.4.10 3.9.27 6.11.47 11.13.79
Werribee 1.5.11 3.9.27 6.11.47 7.14.56
Goals: Talbot 2, Gadsen 2, Carson 2, Mann 2, Treloar, Turner, Zantuck
