From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Paul Amy
Full Story Click Here
IN the end, class told, as it invariably does in football.
Brimming with energy and enthusiasm, Sandringham made a bold start to its VFL elimination final against Box Hill at a sun-soaked Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday.
But when the Hawks slipped into a higher gear, the Zebras were left lagging, though their effort was never in doubt.
The visitors kicked the last three goals of the second term to level the scores at half time, then the first four of the third, a show of strength and a match-winning burst. The eventual margin was 30 points.
A glance of the teams in the curtain-raiser underlined the enormity of Sandringham's task.
The Box Hill reserves contained players of the calibre of Jarrad Boumann, Beau Muston, Danny Hughes and Rennie Gilchrist, a flaunting of riches.
The senior side had 16 Hawthorn players, including notables Xavier Ellis, Chance Bateman, Xavier Murphy and Shane Savage.
The Hawks contingent included ruckmen Brock McCauley, Adam Pattison and Max Bailey, presenting Sandy's Michael Sikora with formidable opposition.
Bailey started in the ruck, leaving McCauley and Pattison to line up deep in attack. The talls contributed eight goals between them, providing an attacking edge that Sandy lacked.
Still, the Zebras began well, experienced hands Brett Peake, Adam Cockie, Marcus Marigliani and Hamish Shepheard showing the way. Little Tom Curren's second goal of the second quarter put them 17 points to the good.
But Box Hill responded with the next seven and its sustained pressure set Sandy to making mistakes.
Come the last quarter impressive Saints youngster Daniel Marksworth kicked two quick goals to trim the margin back to 17 points, but Ellis's third was at once a steadier and a spark for the Hawks. Three more followed in good time.
"We got spanked around clearances and they got it in too quickly," Sandy coach Simon McPhee said after the match.
"We weren't able to help each other out. I don't think it was lost there (Box Hill's tall talent), I think it was lost around the contest. We couldn't get our hands on the footy for the first 10 minutes of the third quarter."
This was Sandringham's first finals appearance since 2007 and McPhee called his Zebras "a talented group still learning". He said it was essential the club retain its senior players.
"I don't think we need to bring much in. I think we've challenged good sides on our day. We just haven't been able to do it consistently. It will be hard (retaining players). I know Port Melbourne and Frankston have contact our players already. We need to lock them away as soon as we can."
Sandringham 5.1, 8.2, 10.3, 14.4 (88) lt Box Hill Hawks 3.1, 8.2, 13.5, 18.10 (118). Sandringham goals: Marigliani 3 Markworth 3 Archer 2 Curren 2 Coleman Peake Dowler Shenton. Best: Markworth Dunell Curren Sikora Williams Shenton
Box Hill: McCauley 4 Ellis 3 Bailey 2 Pattison 2 Pratt 2 Andrews 2 Cassidy Frank Savage. Best: Andrews Schneider Savage Hallahan Duryea Bailey
