Sautner Kicks Nine As Zebras Bounce Back To Overrun Box Hill

The Age

Monday April 21, 2008

Carley Jellett

SANDRINGHAM bounced back from a shock home loss the previous weekend to defeat the struggling Box Hill Hawks by 88 points at Box Hill City Oval yesterday.

The Zebras were unstoppable in the first half, kicking 17 goals to Box Hill's three.

Sandringham coach Andy Lovell was delighted to be back on the winners' list, but said he was disappointed his side weakened its intensity in the second half when both sides scored eight goals.

"We had to win to get our season back on track," Lovell said. "The first half was outstanding but we dropped away in the second half. We weren't quite as efficient going forward but we had a really even team performance in the first half and we ran out of legs a bit in the second half.

"Also, full credit to Box Hill, they came out and played a lot better in the second half than they had in the first and they had a real crack. It was difficult for us to maintain that ruthlessness."

Nick Sautner returned to form after a goalless match the previous weekend, kicking nine goals, including his 700th career goal just before half-time. Sautner said his mother had alerted him to the impending milestone before the match, but admitted he was not sure on the field when he hit the 700 mark.

"I wasn't exactly sure when it was," he said. "My mum had told me a couple of weeks ago that it was coming up but I wasn't exactly sure how many I needed. I couldn't do it without my teammates and I'm sure it is an honour that, when I retire, I will be very pleased to have achieved."

Lovell praised his star forward's achievement, but added the whole team contributed to the victory. "It is massive to kick 700 goals in a career and he has been an outstanding player," he said.

"But he was really on the end of some fantastic work further up the field. I thought our defenders played one-on-one really well and our midfield, for the first time since round one, played much more accountable footy."

Box Hill coach Barry Mitchell was disappointed in the big loss, saying the club didn't take the game on when it was there to be won.

"Our first half was terrible," he said. "Our second half was OK, but when the game was up for grabs we were nowhere near it."

A rare highlight for the home crowd was a courageous pack mark from Ben McGlynn, who was one of the Hawks' best.

Ezra Poyas and captain Peter Summers stood out for Sandringham as did Melbourne-listed players Colin Garland, Adem Yze, Shane Valenti and John Meesen.

Michael Newton was reported late in the match for allegedly striking McGlynn.

Meanwhile, North Ballarat remains the only undefeated side after a 29-point win against Werribee.

Two players from the match will face the tribunal after being reported for allegedly striking each other in the final quarter. North Ballarat's Daniel McConnell was reported for allegedly striking Werribee's Scott McMahon, and McMahon will face a similar charge involving McConnell.

Collingwood upset Frankston on its home turf, registering a 17-point victory, 15.10 (100) to 12.11 (83).

Brent MacAffer and Liam Jurrah kicked three goals each for Collingwood.

The downside for the visitors was the report of Shannon Cox. He was charged for alleged rough conduct against Alexander Lee.

The Bendigo Bombers lost at their home ground against Casey Scorpions by 41 points. St Kilda-listed player Jarryd Allen kicked six goals.

© 2008 The Age

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