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Leaders display their credentials

By Robbo April 30, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Sean Cusick

LAST year's grand finalists, Sandringham and Geelong, have asserted themselves as the VFL's dominant clubs after convincing wins yesterday.

Sandringham struggled to shake a determined Casey Scorpions outfit and led by only 27 points at the final break, before a nine-goal final quarter delivered them a 79-point win and kept them a game clear on top of the table.

With spearhead Nick Sautner enjoying an absorbing duel with St Kilda's James Gwilt, Melbourne youngster Michael Newton played his finest senior game to date, booting six goals.

Newton showed goal smarts and looked strong on a fast lead.

Taken with pick 43 in the 2004 draft, 2007 shapes up as a defining season. At 20, he is yet to make his Demons debut and last season played half the season in the Sandringham reserves after struggling to consolidate a place in the seniors.

Hard days ahead for soft Devils

By Robbo April 30, 2007
From The Mercury
Reported by James Bresnehan

IN a scathing assessment of the Tasmanian Devils, coach Daryn Cresswell has described his players as too pampered and not fit enough after their 52-point VFL mauling by Frankston in Launceston on Saturday night.

The stand-alone Dolphins gave Tasmania a lesson in pride in their jumper and commitment to their teammates.

Cresswell said the Devils should follow working-class Frankston's formula as they prepare to meet Box Hill at Bellerive on Saturday.

"Pampered, that's an understatement with our boys, pampered," Cresswell said. "They've got the best facilities going round and we could learn something from Frankston."

The Tasmanians were warned about Frankston's fight.

Cats give Roosters a lesson on the field

By Robbo April 30, 2007
From Ballarat Courier

GEELONG gave North Ballarat an old fashioned football lesson in the VFL in Geelong yesterday.
There is no other way to describe the 60-point bath which the Cats gave the Selkirk Roosters.

North Ballarat stayed in touch until late in the third quarter, thanks to three goals in the term to Eddie Sansbury.

However, it was nothing more than false hope.

North Ballarat did not kick another goal, while Geelong cut loose with the next eight to romp in 18.17 (125) to 9.11 (65).

The Roosters were simply outclassed.

Geelong superior pace and ability open up the game undid North Ballarat, which was fortunate to stay in contention as long as it did.

In the same way they ended the match, the Cats dominated the opening quarter.

The difference was inaccuracy in front of goal.

Geelong, which went in without Brad Ottens, had the chance to put North Ballarat away, but 3.7 kept North Ballarat in it.

Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald predicted Geelong would be tough to overcome, but he was extremely disappointed with the way North Ballarat fell away.

Skipworth blow

By Robbo April 30, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

THE season could be over for star Metricon Bendigo Bombers recruit Hayden Skipworth after he seriously injured his left knee in Saturday's VFL loss to Port Melbourne.

In what was a dirty day for the Bombers, Skipworth ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee early in the first quarter of Bendigo's 15.14 (104) to 9.10 (64) loss to Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval.

The injury to the 24-year-old occurred when he landed awkwardly after being involved in a marking contest.

Skipworth was operated on last night, and the Bombers will learn more on the extent of the injury to the classy midfielder today.

"I spent an hour with Hayden last night and he is really shattered and distraught about the whole situation," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said yesterday.

"When one of your key players and leaders goes down it certainly takes the sting out of the group a bit.

"You would say with a ruptured patella tendon it's at least going to be a 12 to 16-week injury, but it could be up to six months.

"It looks highly doubtful he will play again this year."

Skipworth joined the Bombers during the pre-season after playing 44 AFL games with the Adelaide Crows.

Dolphins swamp the Devils

By Robbo April 29, 2007
From Sunday Examiner
Reported by Phil Edwards

THE Tassie Devils must have felt like the Anzacs under fire on the beaches of Gallipoli as they succumbed to superior enemy fire- power in their Anzac Day commemoration match against Frankston at Aurora Stadium yesterday.

The Devils were never in the hunt for the Alec Campbell Cup as a fitter, stronger and more skilful Dolphins outfit gave the home side a football lesson which left Devils coach Daryn Cresswell seething after the game - Tasmania meekly surrendering 15.12 (102) to 7.8 (50).

Frankston led at every change extending their nine-point quarter time lead to 21 points at half-time, 34 at three-quarter time before finally forcing Tasmania to capitulate by 52 points, in a disappointing display.

The Devils showed plenty of endeavour and a willingness to run and carry the ball but were plagued by skill errors, fumbles and costly turn-overs.

They also struggled to kick goals all night with full-forward Adam Derbyshire held goalless and Brodie Moles the only multiple goal-kicker with two.

The non-aligned Dolphins on the other hand were more systematic in their movement of the ball.

They rebounded skilfully from a rock-solid defence and were far more accurate in disposal by foot and hand going forward.

Small forward Justin Berry was a stand-out booting five goals for the Dolphins in best-on-ground performance as he continually found space, winning the Frank McDonald medal for Frankston's best.

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