Zebs defeated by a dominant GWS

15/04/2024

On Saturday 13^th April at 10:05am, the Sandringham Zebras took on the GWS Giants in Canberra for their first interstate trip of the year.

Photography by Darcy Allen

1^st Quarter:

The game started quickly with the Zebras gaining possession early. The ball proved to be dangerous in the forward line with our pressure being rewarded two free kicks early in the term; Lance Collard kicking our first major with a snap from the boundary line followed by Hugo Hall-Kahan with a goal 40 metres out in front.

The GIANTS responded quickly, kicking four goals in a matter of minutes to take the lead before Collard and Hall-Kahan both kicked their second. Darby Hipwell was impressive with his movement and pressure around the ground.

We took aerial control of the game with 25-12 marks, allowing us to move the ball down the ground through uncontested possessions and were more thoughtful with our inside 50 entries. Capitalising on a messy GIANTS defence, we were able to find space in the forward line throughout the first term.

Sandringham Zebras 4.1 (25)

GWS GIANTS 4.2 (26)

2^nd Quarter:

Ollie Lowe played on to advantage and slotted his first less than a minute into the second. Our forward efficiency proving to be the difference early, with the GIANTS having double the amount of inside 50 entries.

Anthony Seaton worked hard down back, pushing up and being the rebound early when the ball came out of the forward line, before playing deeper and leading in defence when the game shifted away from the Zebs' style of play.

After conceding seven consecutive goals in what was a tough quarter for Sandringham, Ollie Lowe snapped the ball through the goals while being tackled, making him our sole goal scorer in the second term.

Sandringham Zebras 6.4 (40)

GWS GIANTS 11.3 (69)

3^rd Quarter:

The GIANTS kicked the first four majors of the third extending their lead to 52 halfway through the quarter.

Vincent Zagari kicked a brilliant goal, helping to shift the momentum away from the GWS attack. One of the best on ground for the Zebs, Zagari was leading in disposals, had four marks and two clearances, proving to be a force on the field.  

Momentum started to shift slightly back to our favour, allowing us to play our game in attack and resulting in more inside 50 entries.

After an impressive intercept mark from Isaac Keeler who played on down the corridor, Jack Hayes was able to kick his second of the day after defenders were drawn up the field, giving him space to do his thing in the forward line.

Sandringham Zebras 8.6 (54)

GWS GIANTS 15.6 (96)

4^th Quarter

Arie Schoenmaker launched from 50 metres to secure Sandringham’s first goal of the term, with Josh Docking following his lead and kicking his first major minutes later, in a strong start to the final term for the Zebs.

Olli Hotton kicked a beautiful set shot goal from outside 50 followed by Ollie Lowe kicking his third of the day from the next centre clearance.

After a tough fought battle with the GIANTS, we were able to get the game back on our terms and managed to play a strong last quarter of football. Showing dominance in the middle of the ground, we were winning the ball from the centre, allowing us to find territory and set up around the ground.

Despite our final efforts, GWS put on a dominant performance at Manuka Oval as we went down by 46 points.

Sandringham Zebras 12.7 (79)

GWS GIANTS 19.11 (125)

With a scheduled bye in round four, the Zebs are looking to bounce back in two weeks, when we face the Northern Bullants at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on April 27^th at 2:05pm.

Written by Emily Spong- Sandringham FC Media