NORTH BALLARAT vs SANDRINGHAM
Where: Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat
When: Saturday, 6th August
Time: 1pm
Coverage: Follow VFL reporter Justin Cooper on Twitter: @justinr_cooper for scores and tune in to saints.com.au post-game for a full match report.
Form guide:
Sandringham lost their third consecutive game against the top-of-the-table Williamstown at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, falling out of the top-four. Those three losses have come against teams in the top-five positions on the ladder, with slow starts being the major concern for Paul Hudson and his coaching staff.
Conversely, North Ballarat pushed Port Melbourne last Sunday but ultimately fell by 13-points at Frankston Oval (relocated due to the unavailability of North Port Oval). The Roosters have only won two games in 2016 and sit on the bottom of the VFL ladder in 15th position with a percentage of 58.2%.
Last time they met:
Sandringham 11.15 (81) def. North Ballarat 8.6 (54) at Eureka Stadium, Round 8 2015.
Goals: Membrey 2, Saad 2, Jones, Murdoch, Minchington, Le Grice, Neiwand, Pierce, Templeton.
Best: Minchington, Brown, Wright, Jones, Gilbert.
Key match ups:
After three successive losses, expect Sandringham to bounce back against the VFL’s worst performed side of 2016. The Zebras boast several St Kilda-listed players, which’ll be a bonus against a Roosters line up that has struggled in recent times to compete against the seasoned AFL bodies.
Elliot Le Grice notches his 50th VFL game for the Zebras and will once again be a key component in a reliable back six also featuring Tom Lee at full back. Lee has been used forward in recent weeks, noticeably last round against Williamstown where he kicked three last quarter goals.
Nick Rippon is a Rooster to look out for, the 2015 Liston Trophy winner provides plenty of dash across the ground and knows how to kick a goal. A number of Zebras are in line to go toe to toe with him, Eli Templeton may find himself in a run-with role off a wing or Cam Shenton may be used if the Zebras are confident of kicking a winning score without him inside 50.
The rucks are always an intriguing discussion when Sandringham have played this year, Paul Hudson often going with the trio of Billy Longer, Lewis Pierce and Jason Holmes. The three have a huge opportunity to assert themselves on the contest at Eureka Stadium, but are likely to face Roosters’ premiership star Orren Stephenson in the centre square.
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Players to watch:
Sandringham – Tom Lee
The ever-reliable Lee has been a mainstay in Paul Hudson’s tenure at Trevor Barker Oval, often charged with the opposition’s best key forward and has had great success in shutting them down. Has transformed himself from a key forward from Perth into a key defender who can now go forward. Lee has kicked six goals for the Zebras in nine games this season, averaging 20 disposals and seven marks per game. Don’t be surprised if he’s swung forward against the Roosters.
North Ballarat – Orren Stephenson
The man known to the Roosters as the “Big O” will play a key factor in the clash against the Zebras. Stephenson is averaging 12 disposals and 33 hit outs per game in 2016 and has just come off a dominant display against Port Melbourne – 2 goals, 18 disposals, nine marks, 31 hitouts. The ex-Cat and Tiger is a playing-assistant coach at Eureka Stadium this season and his experience will be invaluable against a strong Sandringham outfit.
Conditions: The weather is forecast to be cloudy, reaching a top of just 12 degrees.
St Kilda players in the squad:
Tom Lee, Jimmy Webster, Cam Shenton, Eli Templeton, Lewis Pierce, Darren Minchington, Jack Lonie, Paddy McCartin, Jason Holmes, Jack Sinclair, Tom Curren, Nathan Freeman, Billy Longer, Josh Saunders, Luke Delaney, Nick Coughlan, Brodie Murdoch, Bailey Rice.
Notable opposition players:
Nick Rippon, Andrew Hooper, Orren Stephenson, Andrew Boseley, Lachie George.
Development League:
Bye.
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