Sandringham has survived a late second half surge from Essendon to run out seven point victors at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday.
St Kilda pair Darren Minchington (28 disposals, four goals) and Nick O’Kearney (31 disposals, nine marks) were both highly influential on the Zebras’ home turf in a game where the home side got off to a great start.
In an opening half where the Zebras restricted the visiting Bombers to just one major and impressed with their direct play to place six goals of their own on the board, new coach Lindsay Gilbee could be forgiven to think this coaching caper was easy.
Easy was far from it. If it wasn’t for an Essendon comeback that stunned the home crowd in the final two quarters.
A five goal to the Zebras’ three in the third stanza got the visitors back in the game before another four in the final term got the Bombers within ten points on multiple occasions.
To Sandringham’s credit and the relief of the new coach at Beach Rd, the Zebras were able to hold on when it mattered for a narrow win in their season opener.
Who stood out?
With 17 St Kilda listed players in Sandringham colours, the AFL flavour was on show and none more than Darren Minchington who stole best afield honours with his four goals and seven tackles.
Nick O’Kearney was instrumental across half-back with his 31 disposal effort in arguably the best game he’s produced at VFL level.
With the late withdrawal of skipper Tom Curren, it was up to the likes of Koby Stevens (28 disposals, seven tackles) and Jack Sinclair (25 disposals, ten tackles, one goal) to lead the way in the middle and that’s exactly what they did.
Paddy McCartin played like a man pushing for AFL selection with his two goal and nine mark performance, while AFL rookie Rowan Marshall impressed with two goals from limited disposal numbers.
Play of the day
No surprise that the play of the day goes to four goal specialist Darren Minchington and his ability to remain composed under pressure in the second quarter of the Zebras’ win over the Bombers.
An Essendon defensive error to switch across the fullback line that missed its target by centimetres, only for the man known as ‘Meatball’ to gather the loose ball, use some nimble footwork and snap a clever goal in-between two opponents highlighting his importance throughout the afternoon.
This was early in the second term where the Zebras’ fifth goal put them 26-points up, with alarm bells ringing for opposition coach Mark Corrigan.
Spending time in the centre square before sprinting forward on numerous occasions, Minchington’s 28 disposals were hard earnt and his seven tackles highlight his pressure acts across the four quarters.
