VFL 2025 Sandringham Zebras

[BrutThough]

Was very windy heading towards the right of screen, thus the dominate scoring end. The kicking around the ground was so much better than last week at Moorabbin, despite similar conditions.

Backline
McLennan - Great marking all day, was robbed of a great contested mark in the first quarter and called a ball up. Was right in front of me, and I gave the umpire his flowers for the goal that was kicked after the stoppage.
Shoenmaker - All of a sudden jumping for marks (looking good!) Took a rippa on the wing which was overturned because a teammate gave away a free. Had a few worm burners with a few hitting chests, and a couple others requiring slips catches, but taking the game on!
Barrat - Tough day, but had some great moments.
O'Connell - Doesn't give an inch. Throws himself into contests, and his running is improving. He had some nice spread which helped create space for teammates to lead into, so I think he is picking up the game plan fairly quickly.
Hastie - Has some magic in him. He took a massive hit when going for a tackle, but got back up and kept going. Hit some really nice kicks too.

Midfield
Jones - Classic Jones performance. His running into space is never shown on the broadcast, you can only see in person. I remember the Geelong game at Docklands last year and his running on Saturday reminded me of that. Sometimes goes unrewarded, but he is doing the right things for a recall.
Garcia - Very good game, he is humming and ready to come in.
Boxshall - I'm super excited by him. Loves the body and his quick hands created space a few times.
Boyd - Battled well all day. He has great leadership qualities, and had a few lovely taps.
Dodson - Has had back to back tough matches in the ruck. Crossley then Mason Cox. He just needs that upper body strength to compete, but don't think he will need much time to develop, very skilled and coordinated for a large man.
Carrol - Way better match than last week. Need to get it to him on the outside, that's where he thrives in my eyes. Has some really nice kicks.
Dow - Great to see Paddy back! Was tough in the contest, and will build up before being in contention for a recall. With most of our mids coming back through the VFL now, there will be some good competition for spots. His goal was really nice to see with all the AFL and VFL fellas getting over to him. That was probably the moment the Zebras started to believe.

Forward
Said - Has a really quick side step x-factor. Bobs up for a chase, but windy conditions are usually the bane of a small forward's game.
Collard - Played a bit higher up the ground, and looked really good. Probably prefer him to play that role, rather than forward pocket.
Henry - Starting to play with confidence. They goal when he roved the pack at full speed almost got me out of my shoes, that is the stuff you want to see in the seniors! Played a little on-ball which is most likely a Ross directive given how we tried to use him last year.

The Sandy boys played a lot better this week too, some huge goals that kept them in the game, but definitely want to see a bit more morale from the whole team when they're on the field. During the run of goals in the last quarter the Sandy players were constantly getting around the goal kicker, then the Saints boys started to as the margin got closer and closer. There was a poster or two who mentioned "why would we care if Sandy lose", the reason is because we want to be a club who wins. There are only a certain amount of opportunities one has to win a premiership, I would be trying to win every week for myself, and the fans.

Great write up. Thanks for this.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Was very windy heading towards the right of screen, thus the dominate scoring end. The kicking around the ground was so much better than last week at Moorabbin, despite similar conditions.

Backline
McLennan - Great marking all day, was robbed of a great contested mark in the first quarter and called a ball up. Was right in front of me, and I gave the umpire his flowers for the goal that was kicked after the stoppage.
Shoenmaker - All of a sudden jumping for marks (looking good!) Took a rippa on the wing which was overturned because a teammate gave away a free. Had a few worm burners with a few hitting chests, and a couple others requiring slips catches, but taking the game on!
Barrat - Tough day, but had some great moments.
O'Connell - Doesn't give an inch. Throws himself into contests, and his running is improving. He had some nice spread which helped create space for teammates to lead into, so I think he is picking up the game plan fairly quickly.
Hastie - Has some magic in him. He took a massive hit when going for a tackle, but got back up and kept going. Hit some really nice kicks too.

Midfield
Jones - Classic Jones performance. His running into space is never shown on the broadcast, you can only see in person. I remember the Geelong game at Docklands last year and his running on Saturday reminded me of that. Sometimes goes unrewarded, but he is doing the right things for a recall.
Garcia - Very good game, he is humming and ready to come in.
Boxshall - I'm super excited by him. Loves the body and his quick hands created space a few times.
Boyd - Battled well all day. He has great leadership qualities, and had a few lovely taps.
Dodson - Has had back to back tough matches in the ruck. Crossley then Mason Cox. He just needs that upper body strength to compete, but don't think he will need much time to develop, very skilled and coordinated for a large man.
Carrol - Way better match than last week. Need to get it to him on the outside, that's where he thrives in my eyes. Has some really nice kicks.
Dow - Great to see Paddy back! Was tough in the contest, and will build up before being in contention for a recall. With most of our mids coming back through the VFL now, there will be some good competition for spots. His goal was really nice to see with all the AFL and VFL fellas getting over to him. That was probably the moment the Zebras started to believe.

Forward
Said - Has a really quick side step x-factor. Bobs up for a chase, but windy conditions are usually the bane of a small forward's game.
Collard - Played a bit higher up the ground, and looked really good. Probably prefer him to play that role, rather than forward pocket.
Henry - Starting to play with confidence. They goal when he roved the pack at full speed almost got me out of my shoes, that is the stuff you want to see in the seniors! Played a little on-ball which is most likely a Ross directive given how we tried to use him last year.

The Sandy boys played a lot better this week too, some huge goals that kept them in the game, but definitely want to see a bit more morale from the whole team when they're on the field. During the run of goals in the last quarter the Sandy players were constantly getting around the goal kicker, then the Saints boys started to as the margin got closer and closer. There was a poster or two who mentioned "why would we care if Sandy lose", the reason is because we want to be a club who wins. There are only a certain amount of opportunities one has to win a premiership, I would be trying to win every week for myself, and the fans.

Great write up joog.
Especially interested in some improvement of Ari. Hopefully it’s finally starting to click.
Hastie and Boxhead on the improve too can only be a good thing.

 

[Mystifly]

Great write up joog.
Especially interested in some improvement of Ari. Hopefully it’s finally starting to click.
Hastie and Boxhead on the improve too can only be a good thing.

I feel like Hastie is almost the forgotten man. Still building strength, and probably a victim of being too versatile.
I reckon Ari is starting to understand his role and is playing with confidence!

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Have to admit, I googled joog.

 

[gringo2011]

Haha but interesting the last 10 years or so how many shots we've taken at getting a young key back:

Tauru 193cm
Barrat 194cm
Schoenmaker 194cm
Van Es 197cm
Adams 197cm
Highmore 193cm
Howard 199cm
Marsh 193cm
Wilkie 191cm
Clavarino 196cm
Austin 195cm
Joyce 194cm
Battle 192cm
Coughlan 195cm
Goddard 196cm

That's a lot of misses!

A lot of them we didn’t wait for.

 

[Mowman]

Haha but interesting the last 10 years or so how many shots we've taken at getting a young key back:

Tauru 193cm
Barrat 194cm
Schoenmaker 194cm
Van Es 197cm
Adams 197cm
Highmore 193cm
Howard 199cm
Marsh 193cm
Wilkie 191cm
Clavarino 196cm
Austin 195cm
Joyce 194cm
Battle 192cm
Coughlan 195cm
Goddard 196cm

That's a lot of misses!

We finally got one and let him go

 

[Mystifly]

The past two matches have each been extremely windy. I just looked at this week's match, and it is at Williamstown LOL. So at least they have had good practise in recent weeks!

 

[bergholt]

A lot of them we didn’t wait for.

Yeah will be interesting if Adams gets a shot at Gold Coast

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Have to admit, I googled joog.

Haha really? What did it say?

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Haha really? What did it say?

joog
joog
1. slang To have sexual intercourse (with someone).

He's always bragging about how many women he's jooged.

2. slang To stab (someone or an animal) with a knife or some other sharp, pointed implement.

I heard he got jooged in the neck with a pencil for giving evidence in court.

 

[BrutThough]

I hope we continue to see Collard up the field this week. Build his confidence up so he can get back in the seniors before the end of the season.

He's such a talented and skilled player who makes things happnen. If we can get him up from 5 disposals at senior level to 12, he's going to be a very damaging player.

 

[Ads734]

I hope we continue to see Collard up the field this week. Build his confidence up so he can get back in the seniors before the end of the season.

He's such a talented and skilled player who makes things happnen. If we can get him up from 5 disposals at senior level to 12, he's going to be a very damaging player.

I said it last week but I’d even let him take some kick ins. Just get the ball in his hands

 

[gringo2011]

Yeah will be interesting if Adams gets a shot at Gold Coast

Van Es playing VFL too. Might be worth another go if he goes okay.

 

[gringo2011]

Actually Clav still playing SANFL.

 

[Mowman]

Van Es playing VFL too. Might be worth another go if he goes okay.

Another that had multiple ops at our club

 

[pebblesofsand]

Yeah will be interesting if Adams gets a shot at Gold Coast

Played the last two games in the VFL - doing OK but you'd think he'd struggle to get an AFL game this year.

Only on a 6 month contract so he'd need to be impressing the list manager with his games at VFL level.

Very young when he was drafted by us - I hope he makes it.

 

[akaifu]

Another that had multiple ops at our club

Played every game this season

Can't be a coincidence

 

[gringo2011]

Played every game this season

Can't be a coincidence

Nathan Freeman was out at Frankston playing in the kind of cold that froze your hamstrings solid and had no issues too. A lot seemed to get over injury once they got away. Even Billings all of a sudden just turned to shit but he was't a walking injury anymore.

 

[crasha301]

Nathan Freeman was out at Frankston playing in the kind of cold that froze your hamstrings solid and had no issues too. A lot seemed to get over injury once they got away. Even Billings all of a sudden just turned to shit but he was't a walking injury anymore.

I believe the restrictions on rotations has a lot to do with this. Dane Swan recently said that if he had to play today he wouldn't be half the player he was.

Because of the rules the AFL have turned players into athletes first and footballers second.

Players bodies can't keep up with the demand of having to run 15kms + a game with one break on the bench per quarter.

Drop the restrictions and watch players like Clark become A graders.

 

[jumperfan]

Maybe we should be looking at trading Nas to Brisbane for their medical staff. Would be more beneficial than getting Bergman and a junk first.

 

[thekizzler]

Fmd, pretty solid effort to come back. Plenty of positives.

Barrett was pantsed very badly today. His opponent clear BOG. Had 6 kicked against him. He is too small to play key position.

He is 194cm and still 18, you peanut lol.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

He is 194cm and still 18, you peanut lol.

His opponent was 19 and is the same height... taken pick #50 in the same draft.

Whos the real peanut?

 

[thekizzler]

His opponent was 19 and is the same height... taken pick #50 in the same draft.

Whos the real peanut?

Well well well. Hi Steeley boy.

My comment was in response to saintbill saying, "He is too small to play key position."

And my comment meant that Barrat has plenty of physical development ahead and is also a height bigger than Wilkie, Battle etc. So making a call on him being too small for key position is a bit peanuty when the kid is only 18.

Barrat's ability to play KPD in the future is irrelevant to his performance in game 11 at 18 years old at VFL level.

But thanks for playing with me. And making a fool of yourself as standard

 

[g_TRAIN]

His opponent was 19 and is the same height... taken pick #50 in the same draft.

Whos the real peanut?

How exactly is 194cm too small?

I get he might not be a big body yet but at 18 there is room for growth still.

 

[saintbill]

He is 194cm and still 18, you peanut lol.

So is the kid that kicked 6 on him dummy

West was also take at pick 50 last year. Barrett lost every single one on one they had.