Final Player Signings for 2019

17/03/2019

The Sandringham Zebras have finalised their list for the 2019 season, just weeks before Round 1. With Nick Stamatis, Durras Seccull, Ryan O’Meara and Blair Atkins filling the final four positions on the Sandringham list.

Stamitis has spent the last two years at TAC Cup level with the Sandringham Dragons, he has proven his ability to stand tall in big moments and is handy in front of goals. He’s willing to work hard to prove himself to the Zebras coaches, and he’s eager to continue to learn and to grow on the field.

“It’s a dream come true to sign at the Zebras. It was a tough pre-season, I pushed myself every training session to get better and learn off the more experienced boys, which was awesome,” he said.

“The goal is definitely to put the jersey on in 2019. Every week I’ll be putting my name up for contention to try and break into the side. The boys have been great, the culture is buzzing and everyone is just so keen for the season which is very exciting and I can’t wait.”

Ryan O’Meara is another Sandringham Dragon who has advanced from the TAC Cup to the VFL Zebras. He played 8 matches for the Dragons and has worked really hard all pre-season to prove himself to Sandringham’s coaches, and will continue working hard all throughout the year.

“I am very excited about being signed by the Zebras, and I’m keen for the year ahead. My expectation of the team, is to put ourselves in best position possible to play the best footy we can. For me personally, the expectation is to play my role and contributing where I can to the team,” he said.

“This Is a great group of boys, and I am looking forward and keen for the season ahead with them.”

Durras Seccull joins the Zebras from VAFA Premier B club Old Haileybury. He’s a good shot on goal, and has a bit of senior experience under his belt despite his relatively young age. He is also the younger brother of fan favourite, Brede.

“I’m super excited and grateful to have finally put pen to paper. I’m really looking forward to a strong and promising 2019 both individually and as a team. Personally, I would love to play as many games as I can and be about of something great,” Seccull said.

“As a team, I think our main expectation is to grow each week and better ourselves as the season goes along and with that we’ll start to win games.”

The experience of Blair Atkins is another great addition to the side, and the magnitude of being signed to a VFL club isn’t something that is lost on him. He is willing to continue to work hard and hopes to be pull on Zebras colours this year.

“I'm super excited for the year ahead. Being asked to come down to the pre-season was a surprise itself so I'm stoked to have made the final list”, he said.

“I'm just keen to try and play as much footy at this level as possible. As a group, we've been working really hard to get ourselves ready for the year ahead. We've done everything right so far and we are in a really good place coming into the season.”

To kick of the season, the Zebras will take on the Footscray Bulldogs at Victoria University Whitten Oval in a Friday night clash on April 5.