News

From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

SANDRINGHAM notched its eighth consecutive win with a 65-point belting of a hapless North Ballarat at Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.

In the first quarter the Roosters posed as a team that had come to play and led by 14 points at the first break, but the premiership favourite booted 11 unanswered goals.

Shane Valenti and Ezra Poyas were dominant in the midfield, both with 30 possessions, and Poyas also contributing three goals. Chris Lamb, the reliable linchpin of the Zebra defence, was also very solid.

"We really imposed ourselves on the game physically in the second quarter. Our intensity and pressure went up and we started to hit more targets," Sandringham coach Mark Williams said.

With top spot secured, Williams will be keeping his eye on Williamstown, which looms as its most likely combatant in the first week of the finals.

The Bendigo Bombers jumped into seventh spot by beating the formidable Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields. Not expected to make the finals due to a difficult run home, the Bombers now pose a significant threat.

With 11 goalkickers, the Bombers worked hard and used each other brilliantly to get over the line by seven points in a very tight match.

Coach Matthew Knights was delighted: "Full credit to the players. Their resilience over the past few weeks has been outstanding. When you start the season with a 1-5 record it's a long way home, but I really feel this group is growing stronger and stronger."

Axed Essendon regulars David Hille, Jobe Watson and Damien Peverill all played their part.

"The presence of those boys was certainly significant but it was their attitude that I was impressed with — it was first class," Knights said. "They obviously dealt with being dropped and were ready to come back and play some good footy with Bendigo."

Adam Ramanauskas left the field in the first four minutes with a back injury and Courtney Johns hurt a knee.

Coburg full-forward Jay Schultz booted nine goals as the Tigers disposed of last-placed Tasmania by 63 points.

Coburg will finish third irrespective of next week's results and therefore face the challenge of playing a rampant Geelong in the first week of the finals.

"We've got to play Sandringham next so we will worry about Geelong in a couple of weeks," said coach Andy Collins.

"Today was a great win and Jay was obviously the stand-out for us up forward." Alister Neville continued his impressive season with 27 possessions.

Cellar dwellars Box Hill Hawks (14.4.88) and Frankston (12.16.88) fought out a draw.

Beau Dowler kicked seven goals for the Hawks.