2nd VFL ELIMINATION FINAL
PORT MELBOURNE vs SANDRINGHAM
Where: North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
When: Sunday, 4 September
Time: 2:40pm
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.
Development League:
Port Melbourne vs Williamstown, 11:30pm.
Form guide:
Sandringham come into September with a disappointing 1-6 win-loss record, following last round’s 20-point loss to Werribee at Chirnside Park. It’s been a lack of consistency and lack of conversion that has hurt the Zebras in the second half of the season, but finals footy is a new season in many ways that gives them an opportunity. Sunday’s clash with Port Melbourne is a do or die elimination final, so expect nothing less than a spirited effort from Paul Hudson’s men.
Conversely, Port Melbourne aren’t coming into September in winning form either after losing to Geelong (35 points) in the last round of the season. In the two weeks leading up to round 21, the Borough got found out by Collingwood (16 points) before a comprehensive win over Frankston (46 points). Suffice it to say, it’s an inconsistent Port Melbourne in the opening week of September but a very dangerous opponent at home and at their best.
Last time they met:
Sandringham 9.6 (60) def. by Port Melbourne 11.15 (81) at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Round 15 2016.
Goals: Lonie 2, Answerth, Cook, Le Grice, Lee, Fisscher, Haidon, Coughlan.
Best: Lee, White, Simpkin, Answerth, Lonie, Murdoch, Templeton.
Selected teams:
PORT MELBOURNE
B:8 D Van Unen 21 L Cook 7 S Crocker
HB:15 L Osborne 31 B Mihocek 27 D Mascitti
C:5 S Lange 10 T Pinwill 29 C Cain
HF:9 B Hogan 23 H Sandilands 35 G Dickson
F:2 K Haretuku 6 J Lisle 20 S Dwyer
R:36 L Waddell 11 M Golby 4 T O’Sullivan
Int:38 J McKenzie 17 A Urban 40 S Clarke
60 D Iaccorino 22 M Arnot 1 M Rivett
12 J Tynan 3 L Tynan
23RD PLAYER: 57 T Hobbs
SANDRINGHAM
(St Kilda-listed players highlighted)
B:13 J Noone 35 T Lee 20 E Le Grice
HB: 75 B Rice 69 L Delaney 11 M Wilkins
C: 63 N O’Kearney 66 J Sinclair 39 C Shenton
HF:15 D Weickhardt 47 J Fisscher 9 M Cook
F: 34 E Templeton 1 T Simpkin 8 T Dennis-Lane
R: 74 B Longer 43 T Curren 68 J Saunders
Int:18 C Banfield 21 T Laumets 71 L Pierce
36 B Payne 3 L Verma 14 T Grace
16 M Hayes 52 J Haidon
23RD PLAYER:2 K Answerth
Key match ups:
Port Melbourne are a very strong contested football side and love the tough contests, especially at home.
Captain Toby Pinwill is the midfield general and hard to stop, so expect the Zebras to rotate the likes of Tom Curren, Myke Cook and even throw Kade Answerth (23rd man) at him. If the Zebras deny him space, he won’t be able to get easy possession.
The big man battles are intriguing with Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce likely to battle Khan Haretuku in the ruck, while Luke Delaney and Tom Lee will look to shut down two of Port’s go to men in attack.
Delaney is the ideal matchup for former Brisbane Lion and Hawthorn listee Jordan Lisle, while Lee can manage the agile and athletic tall in Hugh Sandilands.
Ex-AFL listees Mitch Golby (Brisbane Lions), Sam Dwyer (Collingwood), Leigh Osborne (Gold Coast Suns) and Sam Crocker (St Kilda) provide the Borough with plenty of run and carry, the gut running the Zebras must not only match but restrict their opponents in.
The likes of Nick O’Kearney, Eli Templeton, Josh Saunders and Jack Sinclair is the Sandringham equivalent, who all need to fire on the big stage on Sunday.
Players to watch:
Sandringham – Jack Sinclair
The St Kilda-listed Sinclair is a future star and oozes class, being named consistently in the best players at VFL level more often than not in 2016. He again was one of Sandringham’s best last round – gathering 21 disposals, laying seven tackles and kicking two goals. Along with other bonefide midfielders in the Zebras’ engine room, Sinclair will be a vital ball winner against the battle hardened Port Melbourne.
Port Melbourne – Toby Pinwill
The inspiring Pinwill is the Borough’s heart and soul, evident through the way he plays with such aggression. Gathered 24 disposals and laid nine tackles in Port’s loss to Geelong last weekend. The captain of the Borough will again be a vital cog in a strong contested elimination final.
Conditions:
The weather is forecast to sunny and some cloud cover, reaching a top of 15 degrees.
