COBURG LIONS vs SANDRINGHAM
Where: Piranha Park, Coburg
When: Saturday, 9 July
Time: 2pm
Last week:
Sandringham is in top form having won their past four games on the back of last weekend’s 60-point demolition of Frankston at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. Prior to that, the Zebras accounted for the Northern Blues at Preston by 40-points, Essendon (Round 10 by 28-points), Geelong (Round 9 by two-points) and Werribee (Round 7 by 37-points).
The Zebras sit third on the VFL ladder at 8-2, with the opportunity to put pressure on the top-two and potentially leapfrog Williamstown depending on their result against Box Hill on Sunday.
Conversely, Coburg have won their last two games against Footscray and Werribee to sit just outside of the eight on percentage. The Lions are in twelth position but could jump as high as seventh or sixth with Coburg one of four teams on five wins in one of the VFL’s most even seasons in recent times.
Players to watch:
Sandringham – Jack Sinclair
The talented St Kilda midfielder continues to produce big numbers at VFL level, giving the best possible indication that AFL level is where he belongs. Always looking a class above his opponents in the lower level, Sinclair gathered 27 disposals and kicked two goals in the win over Frankston last week and will again be vital if the Zebras are to beat Coburg away from home.
Coburg Lions – Ahmed Saad
The former Saint and Zebras’ regular faces his former teammates on Saturday, on the back of a six-goal haul in the Lions’ win over Footscray last week. Saad has excelled in Lions’ colours this year and will be out to prove a point at home against Sandringham, where Coburg have formed a stronghold at Piranha Park.
Conditions:
The weather is forecast to be overcast, reaching a top of 14 degrees.
St Kilda players in the squad:
Cam Shenton, Shane Savage, Tom Lee, Nathan Wright, Brandon White, Blake Acres, Jack Billings, Jack Lonie, Dan McKenzie, Jason Holmes, Jack Sinclair, Lewis Pierce, Eli Templeton, Brenton Payne, Nick O’Kearney, Josh Saunders, Nick Coughlan, Billy Longer, Bailey Rice.
Notable opposition players:
Ahmed Saad, Liam Hunt, Tom Goodwin, Mark Orr, Daniel Younan, Zak Wunhym.
