Match Report: Practice Match 1 v Essendon
26/02/2024
Thriller in Moorabbin. The Sandringham Zebras outlast a resilient Bombers outfit to win a seesawing contest by 5 points.
Sandringham completed the first of three pre-season-hit-outs on Friday at RSEA Park, showcasing a number of exciting talents that are sure to leave the Zebra faithful excited for the upcoming 2024 season.
1st Quarter:
From the outset, it was clear this would be a gusty affair, with a strong southerly breeze coming across the ground. We capitalised on this early, responding after conceding the first by kicking the next four.
Small forward Lance Collard proved to be a constant menace up front for defenders, utilising his lightning pace to pick the ball up cleanly from outside 50, run in and slot the goal.
Down-back Arie Schoenmaker and Isaac Keeler established their defensive presence, commanding the backline, orchestrating offensive attacks, and making several critical marking interceptions.
Our dominance from the centre continued well into the later stages of the quarter, pinning the ball squarely within Essendon’s defensive 50. This pressure would ultimately give way to a brilliant crumb and snap for goal by Tarkyn O’Leary, followed minutes later with a goal by Oliver Lowe.
Our hunger for the ball, combined with our clinical display in front of goal gave us a 19-point advantage over Essendon heading into the second quarter.
2nd Quarter:
The second quarter saw us put firmly on the back foot, as Essendon came firing out of the blocks seeking to make the most out of the now advantageous wind.
While Tom Campbell maintained ascendency from the ruck, the ball however remained fixed in our defensive 50, resulting in successive goals for the Bombers who began to reel back the lead.
Unheralded pressure acts from Logan Young and Angus Hastie ensured the Bombers’ attempts to move the ball freely down the wing were kept to a minimum.
Angus McLennan continued to frustrate opposition forwards with his craft, providing two goal-saving intercept marks. However, Essendon’s persistence would be rewarded with a seven-point lead at halftime.
The scores being Sandringham 5.3 (33) to Essendon 6.4 (40).
3rd Quarter:
Requiring a strong quarter with the breeze, our defensive structure would prove to be the catalyst for counterattacks. Matthew Allison cemented this trend through the coming across and taking of a terrific intercept mark that would spark a defensive 50 transition down the wing, and ultimately a set shot for goal by Anthony Caminiti to draw the scores level.
Our intense heat around the ball and dominance from clearances ensured the ball remained pinned in Essendon’s half. This doggedness in attack was epitomised by Vincent Zagari, whose tackle pressure resulted in a turnover, exposing Essendon down the corridor to yet another Sandringham forward 50 entry that would be converted by Hugo Hall-Kahan.
Following a series of missed chances, in the final minute of the quarter Lance Collard laid a brilliant rundown tackle just outside 50. However, with a brief scuffle and lack of discipline from Essendon, this quickly turned into a 50m penalty and set shot directly in front of goal after the siren, that would give us an 18-point lead at three quarter time.
4th Quarter:
Momentum quickly shifted from the previous quarter as Essendon took full advantage of the conditions. Dominating the territory battle, our defensive unit was put under immense strain following repeat inside 50’s.
However, our ferocity around the ball never wavered, as contested bulls Blake Watson and Bayleigh Welsh turned what would be scoring opportunities into smothers, stoppages, and turnovers.
Coupled with the defensive leadership of Schoenmaker, who would pluck a last-minute Leo Barry-esque mark down back, we were able to hang on for a hard-fought win over Essendon by a score of 9.10 (64) to 9.5 (59).
While not a flawless performance, with Essendon getting significant run-ons in the second and fourth quarters, our defensive system and ability to win the 50/50 balls are encouraging indicators towards what promises to be an intriguing season.
We return to action this Sunday against North Melbourne at RSEA Park before heading to Deakin Uni, Waurn Ponds on Saturday 16 March for our final pre-season hit out before Round 1.
Note: this Sunday’s game is unfortunately closed to the public as it is a curtain raiser to the AFL game.
Written by Digby Verlander – Sandringham FC Media