Match Report: VFL Practice Match 3 vs North Melbourne 

17/03/2025

The last of three practice matches has seen the Zebs earn some winning momentum ahead of next week's season opener 

Photography by Anthony Vella

While no points were up for grabs at Arden Street Oval, the Zebs still had hearts racing as they wrapped up their preparations for 2025's VFL season with a close win over North Melbourne.

Despite some heavy rain, the Zebs started on fire, kicking five of the first six goals to open the first quarter, showing we were well-adjusted to the wet footy. With players struggling to keep their feet in the slippery conditions, the Zebs made forward pressure a key component of their performance, with a number of goals in the opening term coming as a result of the duress the Kangaroos' defenders were put under. The contest became more of a back-and-fourth affair as the Roos became acclimated to the conditions. The Zebs were up for the challenge though, taking an eight point lead into the main break. 

The conditions dried up as both teams emerged from the rooms in the second half, and initially the Roos were able to pounce, flipping an eight-point deficit into an eight-point lead ahead of the final quarter. But the Zebs were up for the fight, finishing the game as strongly as they started it with four goals in the final term. Ethan Williams returned us to the front halfway through the quarter, as the contest became more free flowing with the field less saturated. Ultimately, we found ourselves once again trailing heading into the final minutes before Alex Dodson was held in a marking contest, with the umpires picking up on the infringement, allowing him to kick the match winner. The Kangaroos challenged us right up until the final seconds, as they threatened to get a goal back, before Isaac Keeler saved the day with a mark in the goal square to ice the game, as the siren sounded for full time. 

Top Performers 

With just a week to go until the season officially commences, there were several players who put their best foot forward in the final practice match of 2025. Joey Campigli was a pest in the forward line, constantly ramping up the pressure on North's defenders, helping him earn two goals to his name in the first quarter alone. He was determined to showcase what he can brings to the Zebs this year, tackling in all areas of the ground as he relentlessly pursued North's ball users all afternoon. Vice-captain Misilifi Faimalo played a similar role, as his pace was a handful for North's defenders, and a key part in him booting the first goal of the game inside the opening couple of minutes.

Jack Carroll was a ball magnet in midfield, and important in pivotal moments, standing up tall to deliver a crucial goal in the final quarter from the 50-metre arc to trim North's lead to two. His Saints teammate Lance Collard kickstarted our come from behind effort in the fourth quarter, kicking our first goal of the last quarter to bring his tally for the day to two. 

Captain Blake Watson also led from example, constantly emerging from centre bounces with the footy, and hitting up teammates on their chest all day to create a potent attack going forward. 

North Melbourne:         3.2       6.2       10.3       12.6       (78)

Sandringham Zebras:   5.0       7.4        8.7        12.8       (80)        

Join us this Sunday as we begin our 2025 season at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval against Geelong at 2:05pm! 

Written by Jake Beddard - Sandringham FC Media