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Eight straight wins for the Zebras

By Robbo August 20, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

SANDRINGHAM notched its eighth consecutive win with a 65-point belting of a hapless North Ballarat at Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.

In the first quarter the Roosters posed as a team that had come to play and led by 14 points at the first break, but the premiership favourite booted 11 unanswered goals.

Shane Valenti and Ezra Poyas were dominant in the midfield, both with 30 possessions, and Poyas also contributing three goals. Chris Lamb, the reliable linchpin of the Zebra defence, was also very solid.

"We really imposed ourselves on the game physically in the second quarter. Our intensity and pressure went up and we started to hit more targets," Sandringham coach Mark Williams said.

With top spot secured, Williams will be keeping his eye on Williamstown, which looms as its most likely combatant in the first week of the finals.

Schulz boots a bag in Devils' demise - Hurt by poor disposal and decision-m

By Robbo August 20, 2007
From Launceston Examiner
Reported by Alex Fair

TASMANIA'S disastrous VFL season continued yesterday, as the Devils went down to Richmond-aligned Coburg in the curtain-raiser at Aurora Stadium.

Tigers forward Jay Schulz had a day out kicking nine goals in the 24.10 (154) to 14.7 (91) victory.

The Richmond centre half-forward was beating the Devils off his own boot for the majority of the first half when he raced to six goals.

Another embarrassing loss was on the cards when the Devils trailed by 88 points at the final change, but they bucked the trend of final quarter fade-outs by kicking 6.3 to 2.2.

Apart from that final quarter, Daryn Cresswell's men were never able to impose themselves on the match.

They were hurt by poor disposal and decision-making in the attacking half early on while the Tigers were able to pinpoint their forwards with ease.

Coburg's pressure and attack on the ball proved too much for the young team to handle.

Finals-bound -- Bendigo Bombers secure top-eight berth with gutsy win

By Robbo August 20, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers have guaranteed themselves a spot in the VFL finals after surviving a late scare from the Casey Scorpions yesterday.

The Bombers won 16.10 (106) to 15.9 (99) at Casey Fields, and with one round left in the home and away season now sit in seventh position on the ladder with 32 premiership points.

It's the first time the Bombers have found themselves sitting in the top-eight since way back in round five.

The Bombers will host joint flag-favourite Geelong in their final game this Sunday, but regardless of the outcome, they can't be dislodged from the top eight and can finish as high as sixth.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Bombers, who after six rounds sat in 11th position on the ladder with a 1-5 record.

"I'm really proud of the players because when you are 1-5 to start the year, it's a long way back from there," Bombers coach Matthew Knights said.

"To be 7-4 since that period, and the four games we have lost have been by minimal margins (16, 10, 15 and 33 points), we have been rewarded for our consistency by having a large percentage (109.10), which has been important in this tight season.

DOLPHINS DRAW GAME BUT FINALS HOPES GONE

By Robbo August 19, 2007
From Frankston FC Website
Reported by Michael Robinson

A Justin Berry goal with 15 seconds remaining have secured a draw for Frankston against Box Hill at Frankston Park today. Frankston's finals hope were gone not long after the final siren when the news came through that the Bendigo Bombers beat the Casey Scorpions at Cranbourne.

It was an even first quarter wth both teams trading goals, the Dolphins going into the first break leading by 4 points.

The Dolphins started he 2nd quarter well with Chris Oliver kicking 3 goals. A late come back from the Hawks combined with some poor kicking at goal reduced the lead to 6 points at half time.

The 3rd quarter was also very even but once again Frankston's inaccuracy meant the game remained close at the last change with the Dolphins leading by 9 points. Ricky Morris was carried off the ground injured late in the quarter which was a big blow for the Dolphins.

Box Hill came out firing kicking the first 3 goals of the final quarter to lead by 9 points before a Trent Shinners goal got Frankston within 2 points with about 7 minutes to go. Hawks Danny Jacobs who had been kept quiet all day all of a sudden kicked a goal with just over 2 minutes left to give the Hawks a 6 point lead. Box Hill were trying to bottle it up but Frankston had one last chance and Justin Berry got the ball and ran into kick the goal with 15 seconds remaining to level the scores. No one could get the centre clearance away and then the siren sounded and the game ended in a draw.

Claws for concern

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From Herald Sun
Reported by Geoff Poulter

PREMIERSHIP favourite Geelong might not be able to field its best side in the VFL grand final if its AFL counterpart is eliminated on preliminary-final weekend.

To protect the integrity of the competition, the VFL does not allow players unqualified for VFL finals to play in its Sunday grand final should the Cats be eliminated from the AFL the previous day.

If Geelong's AFL team wins there will be no restriction on VFL team selection.

But should it lose, then the VFL team will be restricted to 12 AFL-listed players, who would have to be finals qualified (at least seven VFL games and no more than 12 AFL games this season).

"This rule has been in place since 2004, It is not a Geelong-specific rule, it is a competition rule," VFL general manager Martin Stillman said.

Geelong coach Leigh Tudor is anxious not to get ahead of himself but is merely pointing out what could become a difficult selection process.

Buckley's chance with Seagulls

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From The Age
Reported by Chris Walker

COLLINGWOOD and Williamstown supporters will look upon today's match between the Seagulls and Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval with a sense of anticipation and nervousness. Nathan Buckley once again will test his battle-weary hamstrings for Williamstown in a last-ditch effort to play finals with the Magpies.

In his first match in more than 11 months, Buckley's return in the blue and yellow jumper could not have come at a more opportune time.

Williamstown has dropped five of its past six games and is sitting in fifth spot. It will be hoping Buckley will provide the impetus it needs to defeat the eighth-placed Borough and muscle its way back into the four.

"It's going to be fantastic to have him. I don't think it will be a distraction at all," Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said. "I have watched the way he has handled himself this week and he is the ultimate professional.

"As captain and leader of the club, he has the entire club at heart — which includes Williamstown. You need to have a strong VFL side and Bucks would know that. I think he is just excited about having a game of footy."

Bombers continue charge for finals

By Robbo August 18, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser

METRICON Bendigo Bombers coach Matthew Knights believes the next two games will be an ideal dress rehearsal for his side, should it be successful in snaring a berth in the VFL finals.

The Bombers have two games left in the home and away season, against the Casey Scorpions and Geelong, and are guaranteed a return to the finals if they win both games.

But it won't be easy, starting with the Scorpions at Casey Fields tomorrow.

The Scorpions have won six of their past seven games, and included in that run of good form was a 16-point victory over the Bombers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in round 11.

Geelong has been one of the most consistent sides all season.

The Cats sit second on the ladder with a 12-4 record, and along with Sandringham, are joint flag-favourites at $2.50.

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