This was considered a danger game because the Dolphins always play well against their bayside rivals and their home is not a happy hunting ground for Sandy. However, playing in perfect conditions, the Zebras were off to a flyer with young forward Michael Newton in scintillating early form. His three goals in the first term were superb. He presented well, marked well and was always in position to take control of the football. At the other end of the ground Chris Lamb was in fine form. He was switched to full back early after the Frankston full forward kicked a few goals and he controlled the defence for much of the day in a superb defensive display.
Although the Zebras took a 20-point lead into quarter time, the Dolphins struck back with the first three goals of the second term to narrow the deficit to just two points. Sandy, with Chad Liddell showing strong leadership steadied to kick the next two, including Newton’s fourth, to go into the main break 16 points ahead. A measure of Liddell’s inspiration was the fact that he recorded an impressive 13 one per centers for the game.
Sandringham lost big ruckman Jamar to a hamstring injury but Demon rookie Shane Neaves underlined his steady improvement and gave his midfielders led by Peter Summers (33 possessions) an armchair ride. He was strongly assisted by stalwarts Ezra Poyas (also 33) and David Gallagher (23), The Zebras were able to edge forward in the third quarter as Nick Sautner came into the game and thanks to the experience of Daniel Ward, Clint Bizzell (28 disposals) and Ben Holland (24), the visitors held firm to hold a handy 26 point lead at the final change.
The Dolphins showed that they were not going to go down in any way other than fighting and the big home crowd lifted with them as they and kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to get within 14 points. Former Frankston player Ryan Ferguson turned the tide with a goal and that was followed by the sealer from Summers and the Zebras were on their way to a 24-point win.
Zebra coach mark Williams was happy with the outcome and praised the opposition.
"We had to work hard. They pushed us all the way," he said after the match.
By way of contrast to what is happening in the elite competition, the umpires contributed to a good game allowing it to flow and having little impact on the outcome of the contest.
With two strong key position players in Sautner and Newton both on fire up forward, the prospects for the Zebras’ rivals are daunting at this stage of the season.
Sandringham: 6.3.39 - 8.6.54 - 12.8.80 - 14.8.92
Frankston: 3.1.19 - 6.2.38 - 8.6.54 - 10.8.68
GoalsSandringham: Newton 5 Sautner 3 Ferguson 2 Gallagher Hughes Summers Valenti
Frankston: Morris 4 Murray 3 Berry 2 Marigliani
Best
Sandringham: Lamb Holland Ward Newton Bizzell Neaves
Frankston: Morris Rebeschini Conroy Pollard Magner Kennedy
Reserve mugged
It was all too much for the Zebra reserves as they faced a Coburg side which was able to include up to a dozen listed Richmond players when the Tigers had a bye in the seniors. With Kent Kingsley, Greg Tivendale and Andy Krakouer dominating, the Tigers ran away in the first quarter, but to their credit the young Zebras never gave in. Such was their persistence that they were only outscored by a single point in the final term.
Tom Paterakis was outstanding with 24 possessions and, on that performance is not far away from senior selction. Livewire little man Tomi Johnston was in everything and showed the benefiot of his early senior games. Daniel Collyer, Ewen McKenzie and Guy Martyn were all impressive at times and Rennie Gilchrist worked hard with twelve one per centers.
On the debit side, it was disappointing to see Tom Mentiplay injured again and James Frawley was taken to hospital after suffering concussion early in the game.
Sandringham: 1.2.8 - 2.3.15 - 3.3.21 - 6.6.42Frankston: 9.2.56 - 16.9.105 - 24.14.158 - 27.18.180
GoalsSandringham: Curcio Gilchrist Gileno T Johnston Mentiplay Paterakis
Coburg Tigers: Kingsley 8 Riewoldt 4 Krakouer Lynch Rayson 3 Edwards Pattison 2 Farrelly Liddle
BestSandringham: Paterakis Collyer McGettigan McKenzie Gilchrist Martyn
Coburg Tigers: Krakouer Kingsley Rayson Riewoldt Polo
