Match Report: Round 3 vs GWS 

07/04/2025

Our lone interstate trip for the year will see us return home empty-handed after a tough loss to GWS

Photography by Darcy Allen

The Zebs will not leave Victoria for the remainder of 2025 after our trip to Sydney turned into one we will look to put behind us quickly.

The Zebs were awake and ready to go despite the early morning start, with the ball living in our forward 50 within the opening minutes. However, we were unable to make our opportunities count on the scoreboard, and GWS soon started to take control, with their first goal coming at the eight minute mark. We were competitive at centre bounce, with Liam Henry showing his ability as an inside player, bursting out of the square several times to earn us some forward entries. The connection was slightly off with our forwards though, and we'd have to wait until the 25 minute mark to register our first score, as Andrew Mathieson intercepted the ball at midfield, and then got on the end of a handball to launch from beyond 50, with the shot just going across the face. 

Down 29 at the beginning of the second, the Zebs again looked threatening early, as in the opening minute Liam Purcell juggled the ball in front of goal to get a clean shot, but his snap pulled too far to the right and only earned us a behind. We did begin to settle and looked to make some impact on the scoreboard. A 50-metre penalty would assist in this, as Samuel Latreille was brought within goal kicking range, an opportunity he would calmly slot for our first major of the morning. Billy Richardson put a second goal on the cards a few minutes later as he would play Josh Hutchings into space in our forward 50, but Hutchings' shot at goal was cruelly rushed on the goal line. That would be our last score for the half, as GWS began to pull further away, putting us into a 9-71 hole at the main break. 

Once again we emerged from the break on the front foot, winning the first six minutes of the quarter 14-6. Our forward pressure nearly paid immediate dividends, as Patrick Said picked off a pass to line up for goal, with his shot being slightly off line. However, it only took a matter of seconds to find the middle of the big sticks, as Richardson deflected a pass in the forward pocket, with Joey Campigli arriving on the scene to pick up the loose footy and deliver it back to Richardson, who kicked truly on his left foot. Some more forward pressure would see Ethan Williams push up from half back to pick off a GWS kick-in, giving him a chance to showcase his left foot by kicking his first goal in zebra stripes against his former side from beyond 50. The magnets had been moved around at halftime, with Arie Schoenmaker moving from the backline to attend centre bounces, his added size making a noticeable difference inside and helping us gain more territory early in the quarter. We'd start to go through a dry spell on the scoreboard though as GWS recaptured their form from the first half. Williams would again help us claw one back though late in the term, setting the ball up inside our forward 50 for Henry to pounce on and earn himself a goal. 

Unfortunately we were unable to start strongly again in the final quarter, as GWS continued to build their lead. We continued fighting though, and were able to find some goals against the run of play. Midway through the quarter, Elwood Peckett drilled the ball onto the chest of Sam Buck, who went back and snapped from a tight angle for our fifth goal of the day. A few minutes later, Jet Peckett would replicate his brother, sending the ball inside forward 50, allowing Hutchings to get underneath and take a strong mark. Hutchings wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste, as his shot this time would clear the line with ease, registering our sixth and final goal of the day in a 108-point defeat to the Giants.

Top Performers 

Despite the result, there were still some superb individual performances at Blacktown International Sportspark. Ethan Williams showed he was more than comfortable in his surroundings, after 11 games with the Giants last year. He was destructive off half back, winning the ball 29 times and operating at an impressive 79.3 per cent disposal efficiency. His goal early in the third quarter was a highlight, as he slotted his first of hopefully many majors in Sandringham colours.

Williams was not the only one facing his former side though, with Andrew Mathieson also paying his old home a visit. Mathieson spent 2023 with the Giants, and showed them what they were missing, regularly attending centre bounce to rack up 19 disposals, six of which resulted in forward 50 entries. 

While not conventionally known as midfielders, ​​​​​​​Liam Henry and Arie Schoenmaker did not seem one bit out of place in the guts. Henry attended nearly every centre bounce and constantly emerged with the footy, tallying 24 disposals, seven clearances and four inside-50's. His goal at the end of the third quarter was the cherry on top for another strong outing for Henry. Schoenmaker meanwhile spent the first half in defence, before being moved inside at halftime and offering a big presence at centre bounce. His 29 disposals and eight marks were both an equal team-high. 

Dan Butler brought the fight from start to finish, laying a game-high 14 tackles, including five inside our forward 50. He ran through the midfield and forward line at times, keeping busy to earn 19 disposals and nine contested possessions. 

GWS Giants:                      4.6       10.11       15.16       22.19       (151)

Sandringham Zebras:    0.1        1.3             4.6           6.7           (43)        

The Zebras will have next week off before we look to bounce back in an Easter Sunday clash against the Footscray Bulldogs at Mission Whitten Oval!

Written by Jake Beddard - Sandringham FC Media