AN eight-goal third quarter from Sandringham sunk Werribee in the Victorian Football League on Saturday, the Tigers going down by 64 points.
St Kilda’s Terry Milera starred for the Zebras, booting six goals in a best-on-ground performance as Werribee’s legs slowed in the second half. Milera was one of 17 St Kilda-listed players for Sandringham. Werribee had just seven North Melbourne players.
Until the third quarter it was an even game. Sandringham led by four points at quarter-time and trailed by six at the half.
But in the third the Zebras emerged from the rooms playing the best football they have this season. Their lighting-quick ball movement left the Tigers shellshocked and delivered their first win for the season. The Zebras drew with Port Melbourne a week earlier.
Sandringham’s eight goals turned a six-point deficit into a 32-point lead at the final break, and the Zebras continued to heap on the pain in the final quarter with seven goals to two. They finished with 24 goals for only the third time in the past three years.
Addam Maric and Ben Warren both kicked three for Werribee, taking the latter’s season total to 18. Kangaroos ruckman Daniel Currie was again influential.
Werribee coach Scott West was still analysing the match footage on Monday but said his players let the game escape.
“It was tight for about two-and-a-half quarters. Then Sandy took the game by the scruff of the neck and went on with it,” he said.
“It was really disappointing because we had competed really well up to that point and then let it go.”
West said the difference was all in Sandringham’s legs in the second half.
“On reflection they had a lot of speed through the midfield and at the end of the day a lot more run.
“When you have a lot of full-time players that helps. We’ve got some talent on our list, but when you’re not in a full-time environment it can be difficult to maintain intensity for a full game. As a coach that’s something I need to deal with, making sure the players have got run in their legs in the back end of a game.”
Werribee travels to Simonds Stadium to play Geelong this Saturday at 11am.
VFL SCORES
Seniors
Werribee 15.10 (100) lt Sandringham 24.20 (164)
Werribee – goals: A. Maric, B. Warren 3, B. Iles, B. Brown, R. Castello 2, J. Gysberts, J. Davis, T. McGenniss. Best: D. Currie, B. Warren, J. Gysberts, T. McGenniss, J. Moore, S. Sherlock.
Reserves
Werribee 14.16 (100) d Sandringham 7.13 (55)
Werribee – goals: A. Piva, C. Tudor, A. Brown 2, M. Ross, S. Zumbo, B. Speight, J. Bolton, A. Eade, J. Armistead, J. Graham, J. Keras. Best: J. Keras, J. Graham, J. Bolton, T. Ruggles, H. Wales.
