Zebs Outclassed by Magpies
25/03/2024
Following an electric start to the season, the Zebs were unable to capitalise on their opportunities, going down to a well-rounded Collingwood outfit by 28 points.
Photography: Jake Marriner
Marking the club’s 95th year in the competition, the Zebs came out with a steely determination at RSEA Park, kicking the first five goals to open the VFL season with a bang.
AFL-listed player Arie Schoenmaker proved to be the best of the Zebs accumulating 34 disposals and 13 marks, alongside newly promoted Co-Captain Darby Hipwell who had 18 disposals to go along with his 7 tackles.
AFL-listed veteran Tom Campbell showcased his craft from the middle (22 disposals, 36 hit-outs, and 7 clearances), providing our midfielders with first access to the footy.
Anthony Caminiti was the exclusive dual goal scorer for the Zebs kicking 2 majors.
1st Quarter:
We came out of the blocks firing, winning the first centre clearance of the game to find a high-flying Caminiti in the forward 50 pocket, calmly snapping our first major with little over a minute played.
Our early dominance from the middle continued, forcing repeat inside 50’s that allowed debutant Hugo Hall-Kahan to showcase his versatility with an instinctive crumbing goal, his first for the club.
A mere 30 seconds later a well-rehearsed piece of play would find an eagerly waiting Dan Butler just on the 50m arc, picking the ball up cleanly, running in and drilling the goal from the forward pocket.
Sustained tackling pressure from contested bulls Hugo Garcia and Logan Young, who combined for 24 tackles, ensured the ball remained locked in.
Terrific intercepting marking from Angus McLennan would continue to frustrate Collingwood, resulting in a lack of discipline free kick to Garcia to kick Sandy’s fourth, before Caminiti would showcase his forward craft with a clinical mark and conversion for Sandy’s fifth.
Collingwood fought back late kicking two goals to cut the deficit, however, Sandringham would take a 20-point lead into quarter time.
2nd Quarter:
The second quarter saw us put firmly on the back foot, as Collingwood responded early by kicking three goals in eight minutes.
Showing tremendous desperation for the footy, Misilifi Faimalo continued his hunger around the contest, turning what would be scoring opportunities for the opposition into smothers, stoppages, and turnovers.
We grew into the quarter, however, were unable to make the most of the territory battle as Collingwood levelled the scores in the thirteenth minute.
The Zeb’s best piece of play came late, Butler executing a clinical holding the ball tackle on the centre wing, which after a near specky by Lance Collard would be selflessly centred by Hall-Kahan to set up a shot for goal.
Ultimately, Sandringham would do well to limit the damage, with Collingwood taking a hard-earned 15-point lead into halftime.
3rd Quarter:
Reminiscent of the first quarter, we won the ball immediately out of the middle, with Olli Hotton sending the ball deep into our forward 50. A trend that would continue, as we applied immense pressure looking to even the scores.
Angus Hastie would supply our first major for the term, dazzling Zebs fans with a brilliant crumb and weave which left opposition defenders behind as he ran into an open goal.
Showing outstanding resilience after being winded in the second quarter, Max Heath elevated his game with the match on the line. Plucking several contested intercept marks and slotting a delightful goal from 30m after a clumsy high free kick.
Unheralded pressure acts from Vincent Zagari and Logan Young, ensured the clamps remained on Collingwood’s attempts to transition the footy.
However, this quarter for Sandringham would be remembered as the one that got away, kicking ten scores for the reward of only two majors, with Collingwood maintaining a 15-point lead.
4th Quarter:
The fourth quarter began apprehensively, with neither side able to break free from centre-circle congestion.
Remaining patient, we would continue to chip the ball around well, shifting Collingwood from one side to the other until an opening in their defensive structure could be found.
Hastie would be the one to execute the precision kick needed, finding an on-the-run Tarkyn O’Leary down the wing, who in turn would lace out a simple uncontested mark for Tom Campbell to set up another shot at goal.
Maintaining territory dominance as we did for most of the match, Tom Blamires plucked an inspirational running back with the flight mark that ensured yet another repeat inside 50. A statistics category won on the day 52 to 48.
Luca Macnab continued to take on aggressive kicks down the corridor, however, Sandringham would be unable to connect effectively enough with the forward line, ultimately going down by 28 points to a classy Collingwood outfit.
Final Score: Sandringham Zebras 7.13 (55) defeated by Collingwood Magpies 12. 11 (83)
Goals: A. Caminiti (2), D. Butler, H. Garcia, H. Hugo Hall-Kahan, A. Hastie, M. Heath
Written by Digby Verlander - Sandringham FC Media