Tigers catch their Zebra prey

20/08/2017

Senior Squad Report
By Tom Anderson

A win from this game keeps Sandringham's slim finals chances alive which meant that Sandringham were full of energy and enthusiasm before the game began.

The game started with Richmond being on top, playing the game in their half but Sandringham did well to repel each entry. Their reward came shortly after this with Jack Lonie kicking the first of the game. It didn't take long before Richmond were able to answer. Again from multiple forward entries. Richmond were able to kick the next goal of the game before Corey Rich kicked his first of the day to get the margin back to 2 points. Unfortunately Sandringham's good work early came unstuck in the last 10 minutes of the quarter with Richmond kicking the next 3 goals to take a 21 point margin into the first break. 

On a better note, Tom Hickey came off at the 20 minute mark of the quarter with what looked like a serious shoulder injury before he came back on late in the quarter. 

Richmond were able to hit the scoreboard early in the second quarter with a goal in the opening minutes followed by another 3 goals in quick succession. With the margin being 43 points at this stage, Sandringham were looking for a spark. Josh Fox was able to kick the next goal, his first senior goal. Richmond were able to answer quickly in what was a trend of the game, kicking the next 3 goals. To Sandringham's credit, they were able to kick the next 4 out of 5 goals before the major break to keep the margin at an attainable 46 points. 

After the main break, Sandringham came out firing and were able to kick the first two goals of the half through Corey Rich and Jack Lonie to cut the margin back to 34 points. In a sign of a good side, Richmond were able to respond quickly through making the most of Sandringham's turnovers by kicking the next 3 goals to get the margin back out to 48 points. Josh Battle was able to kick the last goal of the quarter to get the margin back to 42 points at the final break. 

To start the last quarter Josh Fox continued his impressive senior debut with his second goal for the game to cut the margin back to 36 points. Just like the previous 3 quarters Richmond answered quickly with them kicking the next 7 out of 8 goals with Sandringham's only goal coming through Corey Rich who was impressive up forward all day. The 83 point margin was cut back in the final 5 minutes of the quarter with Max Hayes and Hamish Brayshaw kicking his second goal after the siren for the final margin to be 70 points. 

Richmond's run and carry proved too good for Sandringham throughout the whole game. Corey Rich and Josh Fox were good up forward with 3 and 2 goals respectively whilst Jack Lonie, Elliot Le Grice, Kade Answerth and Nick O'Kearney were at their usual best. 

Next weeks game is the final game of the season with Sandringham taking the road trip up to North Ballarat for a 1pm game. 
 
Goal Kickers: Corey Rich 3, Hamish Brayshaw 2, Josh Fox 2, Jack Lonie 2, Ed Phillips, Max Hayes, Rowan Marshall
 
Best Players: Jack Lonie, Bailey Rice, Kade Answerth, Daniel McKenzie, Corey Rich, Josh Fox
 
Disposals: Jack Lonie 33, Nick O'Kearney 30, Kade Answerth 23.