The Golden Era: The Zebs cement themselves in history

24/09/2024

Sandringham Football Club: The Modern Era (1990 - Present)

The 1990s and 2000s were transformative decades for the Sandringham Football Club, marked by significant success, premiership victories that solidified their place in the VFL's upper echelons. The Zebras navigated through structural changes, fostered key alignments with AFL clubs, and managed to cultivate both local talent and AFL-listed players to achieve sustained success.

1990s: Laying the Foundations for Success

The early 1990s saw the Zebras take critical steps toward reestablishing themselves as a force in the VFL. The club underwent strategic changes, which included embracing new coaching philosophies, particularly under Trevor Barker. Barker coached the Zebras for 58 games for 44 wins and two premiership victories. Barker passed mid-1996 and immortalised as the title of the St Kilda Best and Fairest medal winner. The following year, former premiership player Andrew Collins took to the helm and led the Zebras to its third premiership of the decade.

The foundations for Sandringham were laid for a strong future. The Zebras remained competitive, regularly featuring in finals campaigns. Importantly, this era saw the club establish deep connections with local talent pools, nurturing players through the underage programs and integrating them into the senior ranks. With the turn of the century in sight, Sandy was set up for success.

2000: Taste of Glory

In a change of structure for the league, the Zebras aligned with the Melbourne Football Club, allowing for the sharing of resources and success. This took the team directly to the minor premiership, finishing the season with 16 wins and just three losses.

The finals series brought about triumph for the Zebras, with Norm Goss Medallist Richard Maloney steering the club to its first premiership of the millennium. The Zebras faced off against North Ballarat in a thrilling Grand Final, which saw them claim victory by 31-points, 15.18 (108) to 11.11 (77). Key players during this campaign included Nick Sautner, who won his second consecutive Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal as he kicked 60 goals for the season. The depth within the program was evident, as the Sandringham reserves also won their premiership against Port Melbourne.

This premiership success set the tone for what was to be an extraordinary period of dominance for the club in the early 2000s.

2004: The Start of a Golden Run

By 2004, the Zebras were ready to assert their dominance once more. It was a season with a mix of both individual brilliance and strong team success. Adam Fisher won the VFL’s best young player and also finished second in the JJ. Liston Medal count. Nick Sautner produced yet another magnificent season to claim his sixth consecutive VFL goal kicking trophy.

Under the guidance of Mark Williams, who took over as coach, Sandringham captured their second premiership of the decade. The 2004 Grand Final saw the Zebras defeat the Port Melbourne Borough in a tight and physical contest, 9.13 (67) to 9.9 (63). Sandringham led by 17 points at the 26-minute mark of the final quarter. The story of the game was the two quick goals by Port Melbourne closed the margin to five points late in the fourth, and a final shot from fifty metres out with only a few seconds remaining was on target but fell just short and was rushed for a behind, resulting in a Zebras victory. Guy Rigoni securing the Norm Goss Medal for his best on ground performance.

2005: Back-to-Back Brilliance

The following year saw the Zebras assert their superiority once again, securing back-to-back premierships in 2005, a rare and impressive feat. This time, they triumphed over Werribee in a wayward affair, 11.17 (83) to 11.8 (74). Sandringham’s potent forward line, led by the ever-reliable Nick Sautner and rising star Peter Summers, was on full display, yet it was the sharing of the goal scoring capabilities for the Zebs which got them across the line.

Coach Mark Williams instilled a culture of discipline and a commitment to attacking football, which paid off in spades. Williams' ability to balance the contributions of local players with Melbourne-listed AFL talent was critical to this continued success.

2006: A Historic Three-Peat

The pinnacle of Sandringham's dominance in the 2000s came with the 2006 premiership, completing a historic three-peat, an achievement not seen in the VFL since the powerhouse Port Melbourne teams of the 1980s. The Zebras once again proved too strong for their opponents, this time defeating Geelong by 18 points, 13.13 (91) to 11.7 (73). In what was a see-sawing contest, Sandringham’s composure and experience came to the fore, with Phillip Read taking home the Norm Goss Medal.

Nick Sautner, who was the league’s leading goal-scorer multiple times throughout the 2000s, continued to shine, while AFL-listed players provided invaluable support to the core Sandringham group. The ability to integrate AFL-listed players with the club’s homegrown talent was a hallmark of the Zebras' success during this period.

This three-peat further cemented Sandringham’s place as the dominant force of the VFL in the mid-2000s, showcasing their ability to balance talent development with sustained team success.

2010s: Navigating Change and Realignment

The Sandringham-Melbourne alignment came to an end after the 2008 season, which marked the beginning of a transitional period for the Zebras. In 2009, the club entered a new alignment with the St Kilda Football Club, a relationship that continues to this day. The challenge during this period was to maintain competitiveness while managing the rotation of AFL-listed players and developing new talent.

While Sandringham didn’t reach the same premiership heights as in the previous decade, the club continued to be a regular finalist throughout the 2010s. The alignment with St Kilda provided a steady flow of AFL talent, while the Zebras remained committed to nurturing local players.

In late 2019, the opportunity arose with St Kilda for Sandringham to co-manage a VFLW team, since the introduction of a St Kilda AFL Women’s side in 2020. From then, the Southern Saints have been an integral part of the club.

2020s: Tradition Meets Innovation

The onset of the 2020s saw Sandringham continuing to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the VFL. Like all clubs, the Zebras were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cancellation of the 2020 season. However, the club emerged with renewed focus in 2021, continuing to prioritize player development and community engagement, yet once again the league was halted by the pandemic.

Coming off the back of the pandemic impacted years, Sandringham's VFLW side - the Southern Saints - gathered under the mentorship of Dale Robinson to excel in the finals series. The Saints, after finishing fifth in the home and away, went on an impressive run towards the grand final, yet finished just short of the ultimate prize.

The partnership with St Kilda has remained strong, allowing the Zebras access to talented AFL-listed players while maintaining their focus on local player pathways. Celebrating the club’s 95th anniversary in 2024, Sandringham has invested heavily in reconnecting its proud history with its modern identity. The 95th Anniversary campaign focuses on bringing together past legends and current players, further strengthening the bond between the club and its passionate supporters.

From 1990 to the present, the Sandringham Zebras have enjoyed periods of extraordinary success, particularly through their dominance in the early 2000s. Through challenges such as alignment changes and league restructuring, the Zebras have consistently found ways to remain competitive and adapt. As the club continues to evolve, its rich tradition, combined with modern approaches to football development, ensures Sandringham's place as a cornerstone of Victorian football.

Written by Tom McQuillan - Sandringham FC Media