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Good article on the Zebs in Demonland -
ZEBRAS PUT TASSIE OFF THE MAP
by Barry from Beach Road
Sandringham is through to its first VFL grand final in four years after demolishing the Tassie Devils by 38 points at TEAC Oval on Sunday. The Zebras will meet rivals Port Melbourne in a much anticipated encounter after the Borough had an equally emphatic Preliminary Final victory against Box Hill Hawks.
The weather and ground conditions were more akin to those of a Tasmanian midwinter than a Melbourne spring but Sandringham managed to conquer both the elements and the visitors from the Apple Isle who played with great determination early to hold down a four goal lead at one stage in the second quarter.
Sandy had the better of the early going with a Peter Walsh snap hitting the post before a lovely tap from Mark Jamar to Steven Armstrong saw the Zebras snag the first goal of the day. From there however, the going got tough as the Devils pushed hard and used their strength to unsettle Sandringham. By quarter time, Tassie held a well deserved three goal lead and, when it scored the opening goal of the second term, there was some nervous frowns on the faces of the Zebra fans in the Norm Goss Stand.
However, you can never write off a Sandringham team. The Zebras worked their way back into the game thanks to their strong defence which tightened up considerably after conceding those first five goals. They were also getting first use of the ball thanks to some dominant ruckwork from Mark Jamar who also got the revival going by plucking the ball out of a pack and threading through a much needed goal. David Gallagher was in sparkling form with three second quarter goals from the midfield and suddenly it was Sandy that was on top. Two late goals gave it a 12 point lead and the team walked confidently into the rooms at half time having kicked six unanswered goals to turn the tide.
After the main break, Jamar continued to have a major impact in the ruck where he had a big height advantage over his Tassie counterparts. He was well backed up by former South Australian Aaron Bishop. As a result, the midfielders led by Gallagher (who was easily best on ground with 25 touches to go with those three goals), Sean O'Keeffe, Guy Rigoni and Colin Sylvia were given an armchair ride. They were simply too slick and too talented and had plenty of back up with Steven Armstrong, Toby Conroy and Adam Fisher all chiming in to provide plenty of cheek and run.
When the ball went into defence, Tassie faced an impenetrable wall of backmen led by Ryan Ferguson (who took on and beat Trent Bartlett), Chris Lamb and Nathan Carroll while at ground level Luke Williams, Chad Liddell, Daniel Bell and later Walsh kept things nice and tight. By the final break, the Zebras held a 20-point lead and they ground the Taswegians into the mud keeping them goalless in the last to win easily by 12.10.82 to 6.8.44.
The Sandringham forward line did it hard in the conditions. Leading goalkicker Nick Sautner managed three goals but was reasonably well held while Nick Smith was quiet at centre half forward on a day made for backmen. They should fare better next week at Optus Oval where ground conditions should be much better thanks to the removal of the cricket pitch a few years ago.
The Grand Final against Port Melbourne promises to be a classic. The teams last met in the big one in 1977 when the Borough recorded a big victory at the Junction Oval. Ironically, one of the young Zebras that day was a pony tailed Peter Giles who went on to top the club goalkicking in the following season and then crossed over to Melbourne where he played 124 games to 1987. The indications are that a few more will follow that pathway in years to come. Hopefully, they will take a VFL premiership medal with them into their careers at the top level.
Zebra coach Mark Williams was full of praise for his team's performance and was particularly pleased at the way the Demon listed players are blending in well with the VFL group which has stood up and acquitted itself well at the business end of the season. Much of the credit must go to the hard work of skipper Chad Liddell who led the team by example with great strength and courage after a slow start.
THE DEMON DOZEN
At selection, there were 15 Melbourne listed players named in the side but due to the VFL's eligibility rules, that number had to be culled by three. Two of the players left out were members of the previous week's losing Elimination Final side - Troy Broadbridge and Brock McLean. Coach Mark Williams decided to leave the former out in fairness to those who had represented the team more recently in its run up to the finals (Broady was qualified by dint of a number of early season appearances for the team) while McLean missed through a slight groin problem. Paul Newman was the unlucky 13th man to miss out on selection.
Steven Armstrong - played well all day and kicked the Zebras first for the game. He really came into his own however, after taking a heavy knock that seemed to inspire him to play some hard hitting, fierce football. If he can take that sort of attitude into 2005, he will be a big improver.
Daniel Bell - again showed that he is a future talent by putting Tassie goalsneak Ian Callinan out of the game while playing some creative, running football himself. As I've said many times before, Belly will be a regular with the Demons next year and for many years to come.
Nathan Carroll - took on former Tiger cult hero Plapp at half back and wore him down as the game went on. Looked the goods with his run out of defence and formed part of a very strong defence.
Ryan Ferguson - after conceding a couple of early goals to Trent Bartlett, Fergs fought his way back to curb the dangerous Tassie forward. His form at full back was sensational and he displayed all of the courage and brilliance that he promised in his first year before injury grounded him. A bit more bulk and a full pre season could well see him back as a regular face in the Demon defence.
Adam Fisher - the conditions suited Fisher and he was always in there working hard to get the ball. Perhaps not as prolific as he has been in past games but he kicked some nice goals and showed why he is a worthy winner of the Fothergill-Round Medal for most promising young talent in the VFL. Fisher was also runner up in this year's J.J. Liston Trophy behind North Ballarat's Julian Field and was one of three Zebra representatives in the VFL team of the year along with David Gallagher and Nick Sautner.
Mark Jamar - far too strong in the ruck winning countless hit outs and tapping the ball down well to his on ballers as well as kicking a crucial goal. Should kick on next year to become a regular back up ruckman to Jeff White.
Chris Lamb - very solid as usual in defence where he gave very little away and his tight defensive play was a major factor in the strangulation of the Tassie forwards after quarter time.
Guy Rigoni - one of a big field of onballers rotated through the midfield, Riggers was good especially with his accurate long kicking into the forward line. Will be an important player in the grand final.
Nick Smith - a quiet day at the office although he was coming good at the end. Will need to contribute for four quarters next week in the all-important centre half forward position.
Colin Sylvia - was well suited by the conditions and was a hard competitor all day gaining a lot of the disputed balls and showing out with his fierce tackling. Another player who I'd like to see next year with some rest and then a full pre season behind him.
Peter Walsh - a solid running game and was particularly important when Luke Williams went off injured.
Luke Williams - injured his ankle midway through the game but not before accumulating a number of possessions. Needs to clean up his disposal if he wants to advance beyond this level.
Sandringham 1.2.8 7.4.46 9.7.61 12.10.82
Tasmania 4.2.26 5.4.34 6.5.41 6.8.44
Goals Gallagher Sautner 3 Fisher 2 Armstrong, Gadsden Jamar N Smith
Best Gallagher Ferguson C Liddell Carroll Lamb Jamar Walsh Sylvia
[For those looking for a further omen, the game will be played on the 40th anniversary of Melbourne's last premiership victory]
