Zebras fall at last hurdle

08/08/2022

The Zebras have unfortunately gone down in a tight tussle down the highway against the Cats.

Photography: Mark Woods

In an enthralling and roller coaster contest, we got pipped at the last hurdle, going down by two points.

Mitch Riordan continued his solid season in the midfield, finishing the game with 19 disposals and four clearances. Oli Lowe continued his strong end to the season, kicking two goals from just nine disposals.

Cody Henness also continued to work hard in the midfield and build on his recent run of good form, acquiring 14 disposals plus a game-high eight tackles.

Amongst the Saints players Tom Campbell had one of his best games of the season, finishing with 28 disposals, 33 hitouts, eight marks, five clearances, six inside 50s plus two goals. Jack Bytel was also solid in midfield, getting 28 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and a goal.

Beautiful conditions greeted both sides yesterday afternoon, with Captain Anthony Seaton winning yet another toss and electing to kick towards the southern end of the ground.

It was us on top early in the contest, with Nick Hodgson setting up a running Matthew Allison to kick the first goal of the game from near the goal line four minutes in.

Two minutes later it was Hodgson on the receiving end of a Campbell inside 50 set up, slotting the set shot from the boundary. However the Cats immediately responded with the next two goals in the following five and a half minutes to even things up.

As we slowly started to get back on top with possessions, Dean Kent was on the receiving end of a turnover and converted a 50 metre chance for our third of the quarter.

After an even few minutes we got out on the transition, with Jack Bytel on the receiving end, calmly slotting our fourth of the opening term on the run. Two minutes into time on the Cats again responded to cut the margin.

It took us two minutes to respond, with Ryan Byrnes kicking the ball to the top of the goal square before it bounced at right angles to get the lead back into double digits.

Geelong responded with the next two in the next four minutes to cut the margin to two before Campbell converted a tight set shot at the 30 minute mark for our sixth goal. After 34 minutes the siren sounded as we headed into the first break up by seven points.

At the start of the second it was a lightning quick start for us, with Sam Dunell snapping truly inside the first twenty seconds for the first of the term.

Two minutes later Campbell came in from the side and took another one of his many marks, converting the set shot from 20 metres out for our second of the term. The Cats then kicked the next one four minutes after our second.

It became an arm wrestle following that goal, with us slightly on top of it. However it was Geelong kicking the next goal to make it a single digit ball game once more.

Just over a minute later though Lowe was on the end of a Bytel set up, thumping the ball into the goal for his first of the afternoon and our third of the term.

As they pushed hard to end the term, our defence stood tall before the beginning of time-on saw them kick the next two goals to cut the margin once more 25 minutes into the term.

We continued to work hard defensively in the final six minutes of the term, with a behind on the siren giving them a one-point advantage heading into the main break.

To begin the second half it was us on top and looking to take back the lead.

It wasn’t until the seven minute mark where Carey was on the end of a Dunell set up and kicked the first of the term from the top of the goal square. However it took three minutes for them to respond with their first goal of the term.

The next 10 minutes saw a much fiercer and hotter contest, with neither side able to get on top and only a couple of chances being created in front of the big sticks. Geelong kicked the next goal right at the beginning of time on to take back the lead.

We then started to gain some territory and create pressure in our forward half before Byrnes set up Lowe who also slotted a goal on the run to give us back the lead at the 25 minute mark.

Geelong then kicked the final goal of the term at the 27 minute mark, with the siren sounding at the 29 minute mark as we headed into the final break down by just three points.

This time it was the Cats with the quick start in the fourth, kicking the first goal of the term inside the first 40 seconds.

We pushed hard and gained more territory for the seven minutes following that early goal. However as they got back on top they kicked the next 10 minutes in to push their lead out to double digits for the first time.

Momentum then shifted back our way, with Blake Watson converting a set shot chance from near the top of the goal square to make it a single digit game 14 minutes in.

We continued to dominate before Tyson Milne set up Max Heath inside 50. He converted the set shot from 45 metres out to make it a one point ball game.

The beginning of time on saw us being the dominant side as we looked to take the lead late before they started to get on top in the final few minutes of the contest.

As the siren sounded over GMHBA Stadium it unfortunately signalled our eighth defeat of the season.

Final Score: Sandringham 13.10.88 defeated by Geelong 14.6.90

Goals: T. Campbell (2), O. Lowe (2), M. Allison, R. Byrnes, J. Bytel, C. Carey, S. Dunell, M. Heath, N. Hodgson, D. Kent, B. Watson

Best: T. Campbell, J. Bytel, D. Hipwell, S. Beilby, D. Kent, M. Allison

Written by Joshua Ward - Sandringham FC Media