He spent probably 90 per cent of the game in the ruck and pushed forward occasionally just for a bit of rest. He laid a few tackles and probably broke even against Casey’s ruckman as far as tap-work goes.
It was pretty windy and he just got caught a couple of times misjudging the flight of the ball but this was only a minor thing and on the whole he was good, especially when he sat a kick behind the ball.
Tom Simpkin
He just loves the physicality. When he tackles and hits hard, he really makes it count, and he finished with five tackles. He thrives on that.
He actually mentioned after the game that he was stoked because he had a chase down from behind, and he doesn’t get that many of them. But the determination and attitude was there which was great.
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Terry MileraTerry kicked one goal and was serviceable throughout the day. It’s his cleverness that makes him a handful for defenders and he got most of his possessions in the first half of the game and dropped away a touch in the second half.
He had a good balance between defence and offence and finished with four tackles.
Trent Dennis-Lane
Trent had a really opportunist-type game. He only had eight possessions but kicked three goals and one behind. He had one of those days where the ball was either just ahead or just behind him, but it was pleasing that he was able to make the most of his opportunities because he got himself into good spots.
Tom LeeTDL goals after good work from Tom Lee. Sandy 14-12-96. Casey Scorpions 5-7-37 #pjvfl
— Sandringham FC (@sandyzebs) April 27, 2014
He had 19 disposals for the game and had 11 of them in the last term. So he played really well late in the game mostly as the ruck at that stage.
As a forward he took a few marks and laid a few tackles and really provided a good contest for the smaller players when he was down there, but he didn’t hit the scoreboard.
Maverick Weller
He actually got tagged this week so the opposition did their homework. But despite this, he did really well to have an influence on the game. He worked through it with 18 possessions, 11 tackles and two goals.
The tackling especially was monumental and I don’t make the decisions, but if he does get elevated to the senior list then he deserves it. If not, then I’m sure he will continue to play well for us in the VFL like he has done this year.
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Sam DunellSammy had 18 touches and the best part of his game was his marking, and he was ‘on.’
He took eight marks and is so good above his head for his size. His body work in the contest was also good and he floats across all the time and gets his hands on the footy cleanly. He also kicked two goals and one behind.
Cameron Shenton
Shents had a solid game. He was more attacking from half-back this week even though they put a defensive forward on him. He still ran off a few times and linked up well and was used on the spread.
We like to get the ball in his hands because he will run and really become and attacking player for us. He didn’t make a lot of tackles because he was either spoiling or taking the mark – it’s funny how that happens. Again, he’s just ticking the boxes and didn’t get any goals kicked on him.
Darren Minchington
Darren was lively down forward. He had 17 touches and three tackles which is a solid day for him, plus he also kicked a goal. I’d like to see him kick a few more but he ran through the ball well this week and was a good player for us.
Dylan Roberton
Roberton was really busy for us early and finished with 19 touches. He just dropped off a little bit in the second half but his ability to run and rebound from defence early really got us going.
He took a big step forward on the weekend and it was probably his best game for us this season.
Brodie Murdoch
He had a serviceable game, too. Brodie played his role in the forward line and came in off the back of the square and really made his presence felt. His intensity was really good and he took a couple of very strong mark plus he kicked a goal.
Beau Maister
He presented well up forward with his leading patterns and work-rate. He got to a lot of contests but was often out-numbered.
Beau didn’t hit the scoreboard but provided a physical presence for us.
Arryn Siposs
He didn’t kick straight but Sippo had 15 touches so he is gradually increasing his possession rate and his defensive efforts. He wasn’t outstanding, but he was very good and got himself involved in every facet of the game.
Blake Acres
If you talk about guys who have improved over the last few weeks then look at Blake. He’s gone from injured to development squad to one of the best players for us in the VFL. He had 21 touches, seven marks and kicked a goal – I mean, this is a guy who is playing either half-back or wing and is a teenager.
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His improvement has been the highlight of the group and he’s showing some really good signs as far as decision-making goes from half-back.He’s quite attacking and he had some inside 50 entries that resulted in goals and he really does cover the ground quite well with his speed. There was one there where he just effortlessly ran past a player and made him look slow.
Daniel MarkworthGreat pass Acres to Murdoch who marks and goals. Sandy 7-5-47. Casey Scorpions 1-3-9 #pjvfl
— Sandringham FC (@sandyzebs) April 27, 2014
We’ve been focussing on him really body-lining the ball and trying to become more physical. His attack on the ball has been excellent the past two weeks, and he finished with 16 touches and four tackles.
Now he’s starting to give good defensive efforts and combine this with his usual run and carry. He was quite busy up in the forward-line and has great leg speed.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Jason Holmes
Not through form or anything, But Holmesy had to go back because of the alignment agreement and he did well in the ruck.
He also spent some time forward and didn’t kick a goal but his tackling and tap work were excellent. There was one occasion late in the game where he was used and turned onto his left foot, hit up a teammate and it resulted in a goal. So that was pleasing and he’s showing good signs.
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Spencer WhiteHe was up forward and we moved him up to on the ball and he actually turned the game on two or three occasions. He was instrumental in the Sandringham win and just getting him up the field meant he had to work a bit harder and he was also not going to be waiting for the ball to come to him – he went and got it.