A promising first-up performance from Jonathon Marsh as well as Billy Longer’s successful return to footy headlined the news out of Round 1 of the VFL.
The Zebras were outclassed by a sleeker Footscray outfit under the lights of VU Whitten Oval on Friday, but there were several Saints to put their hand up for senior selection.
Longer amassed 47 hit-outs in his return from a hamstring injury, as the Zebras fell 43 points short against the Dogs.
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The sight of Jonathon Marsh bursting away from defence was another promising sign as the rookie selection showed his potential for senior football in 2019.
His presence was a significant positive for the Zebras who are short on key-position depth, given the injuries to Jake Carlisle, Paddy McCartin, Dylan Roberton and Oscar Clavarino.
Fellow rookie Doulton Langlands was another shining light, gathering 16 disposals and laying six tackles, while fellow mids Ben Long and Ed Phillips finished with 17 disposals and five tackles apiece.
Veteran David Armitage added valuable experience through the centre, ending his evening with 20 disposals and 10 tackles.
New recruit Nick Hind booted two goals from half-back to continue his quest for an AFL call-up.
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In what is fast becoming a trademark of his game, Hind showed his flair through the middle, evading a pack of Dogs and launching from outside 50m to put the Zebras on the board in the final quarter.
Another mature-age recruit in Robbie Young also put his hand up for senior selection, with his speed and pressure making him a constant threat up forward.
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“As a unit we were under siege a fair bit,” coach Aaron Hamill told saints.com.au post-match.
“[Footscray] were able to get their run-and-gun game going, and it’s disappointing to get beaten at what we normally do pretty well,” he said.
“They were able to generate more opportunities from their system and we weren’t able to get our game going,” Hamill said.
Sandringham will face Box Hill at 11:40am on Sunday, April 14 at Marvel Stadium as a curtain raiser to St Kilda’s clash with Hawthorn.
FOOTSCRAY 4.3 7.7 11.11 16.12 (108)
SANDRINGHAM 2.0 4.4 5.6 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Footscray: Gardner (4), Smith (4), Sweet (2), Dale, Hayes, Lynch, Scott, Webb, Williams
Sandringham: Fox (2), Seccull (2), Hind, Long, Phillips, Tahana, Young
BEST
Footscray: Gardner, Smith, Lipinski, Webb, Sweet, Williams
Sandringham: Longer, Langlands, Fox, Armitage, Hind, Seccull, Long
