Zebras' Captain and Coach Q&A
15/04/2021
Ahead of their Round 1 matchup with Richmond Friday 16 April, Zebras captain Daniel Coffield and Coach Jake Batchelor answered a Q&A about football and the season ahead.
Read their thoughts below:
Coming off 2020, what does it feel like for each of you to be back playing and coaching footy again respectively?
Daniel Coffield : (It) makes me feel really appreciative and obviously excited to be able to get back to playing meaningful football again. I think the year off has really given both myself and a lot of guys a chance to really appreciate what we had, being able to play football and be around your mates all week, before 2020 took it away from us.
Jake Batchelor: 2020 was a year where there was minimal consistency and connection in our lives and that’s what footy brings. It’s an escape for a lot of people and getting back to Sandringham for the upcoming season is something we are all excited about.
How do you feel about the new VFL competition structure for 2021?
DC: It’s exciting I think, it gives a lot of guys who have never had the experience of travelling to play football a chance to get out of Melbourne and experience what that's like. It gives us a chance to break out of the normal routine which is something new and I know a lot of guys are looking forward to that.
JB: We are really excited and humbled to be a part of the premier second tier competition in Australia. 22 teams over a 19 week home-and-away season is a great chance for all of us to showcase to the football world what was missed out on last year. There will be a lot of hungry teams and players looking to prove themselves. We are one of them.
How do you feel about the team’s form throughout the practice matches and going into the season?
DC: Our pre-season form has been indifferent/inconsistent. We probably had one very poor week against Werribee and a couple of games early where we were good in patches. However, we were able to amend things our final practice match which hopefully has set a good starting block and a lot of confidence for our guys going into Round 1 Friday.
JB: Whilst trying to find our best mix of players, we have played some good football throughout our four practice matches. Not great but we have built a solid base to work from. One of the positives is that we are not searching for our strengths or our areas of improvement. We have a clear understanding of what will make us a good team and what we need to continue to improve. Our players are keen to improve their performances to allow our team to thrive.
And in what areas would you each like to see improvement throughout the season from a coaching and playing perspective?
DC: I think we are quite a quiet group in general and, I know from previous experience, communication and real-time feedback is a big part of being a successful football club. So, I'm sure as guys get more comfortable playing with each other that's something that will come — also just our application over 4 quarters.
JB: Due to the types of players we have brought in, we feel we are going to be an exciting team to watch. Finding the balance of going quick with the ball and controlling the play when needed is always going to challenge a young team. Playing at TBBO, we know we are going to have to be a good contest team and we are continually striving for improvement there.
Who are some of the players that have really impressed you and who should fans look out for?
DC: Goy Lok - Does everything right to make sure he gets the best out of himself and is a really explosive and powerful midfielder.
Fin Bayne - has probably been one of our most consistent players over the pre-season and has cemented himself as one of our most important midfielders.
Anthony Seaton and Jackson Hille have been really impressive down back — both look strong and have competed really well often being undersized.
JB: I don't like putting pressure on players too early on in the season, however we have got some good young talent in Goy Lok, Fin Bayne, Oscar Lewis and Tyson Milne. The more games of senior football we can get into these guys, the better we will become as a team.
How important is it to have fans back at the games for the 2021 season?
DC: Super important, everyone loves playing in front of a crowd and all the extra energy that gives you, especially when the team is on a roll.
JB: We saw last year that footy can survive with fans — but it won’t thrive.. Although our Round 1 match is away against Richmond, we can’t wait to play in front of people as this is something we have missed out on for 12 months (as have all VFL supporters).
What can we expect from the Sandringham Zebras for 2021?
DC: You'll see a young hungry team that's always looking to continuously improve . Expect us to play a tough brand of footy that's required down at Trevor Barker Oval. Considering the conditions it usually serves up (wind/rain), and with the access to the talent we will be getting from St Kilda and the strength/depth of their list at the moment, I think finals at the very minimum is our aim.
JB: The fans will see a young connected team who are excited to get back out there. We will make mistakes and lose games. but we will play our way, find ways to improve and will always remind ourselves how lucky we are to be playing competitive football again.
Written by Will Michael - Sandringham Football Club Media