VFL GF 2006

[PhilH]

Three in a row for Sandy (Sportal Web Site)

(APPROX 6,000 TURN UP)


Sandringham has held off a fast-finishing Geelong to win its third consecutive VFL premiership by 18 points at MC Labour Park on Sunday.

On a bitterly cold September day where wind, rain and sun were all significant factors, the Zebras joined Williamstown (1954-56) and Port Melbourne (1980-82) as clubs to have won triple premierships in the post-war era.

The Zebras, who were playing in memory of president Gary Gilchrist who died suddenly in July, led at every change and took advantage of the strong breeze while nullifying the Cats' attacking structure when kicking against it and won 13.13 (91) to 11.7 (73).

While Sandringham held a 34-point advantage at three-quarter time, an onslaught of Geelong goals saw the margin dragged back to four points midway through the final stanza.





The Zebras inched back with two goals from unlikely hero Andy Biddlecombe and held on despite the Cats running out the game with a five-goal-to-two final term.

Geelong forward Nathan Ablett was unable to replicate the four-goal bags he produced in the club's finals wins over Williamstown and North Ballarat, but was crucial in setting up the side's final term revival while Kent Kingsley top-scored in the losing side with three goals.

The Zebras were well served by their AFL-listed players with Phillip Read, Paul Wheatley, Shannon Motlop and Nick Smith all amongst the victors' best players.

GEELONG: 2.2, 4.4, 6.5, 11.7 (73)
SANDRINGHAM: 4.3, 6.4, 11.9, 13.13 (91)
GOALS – Geelong: Kingsley 3, Byrne 2, Ablett 2, McCarthy, Slade, Hunt, Davenport
Sandringham: Sautner 3, Motlop 2, Smith 2, Biddlecombe 2, Liddell, Dunn, Gallagher, Wheatley
BEST – Geelong: Byrne, Prismall, Slade, McCarthy, Callan
Sandringham: Read, Wheatley, Motlop, Smith, Ferguson, Rigoni, Liddell
INJURIES – Geelong: nil
Sandringham: Liddell (face/concussion)
UMPIRES - Mollison, Ryan, Stewart
CROWD - Approximately 6000 at MC Labour Park

[Mr66]

MC Labour Park = Princes Park/Optus Oval

[MightyEagles]

The comp. that's been labelled the best outside the AFL by their boss only gets 6000 turn up. We'll get more turn up here to see real footy as it should be.

[Benchwarmer]

They are far from the best below AFL - that is spin put on by Victoria and assisted by the AFL and mainly due to the fact that they try to say that the TAC Cup is aligned with Football Victoria.

Having seen all three comps regularly over the years the order is SANFL, WAFL and then VFL. The VFL as it is now is a bastardisation of the VFA and making it a mongrel combination of AFL reserves sides with weaker clubs' senior sides. They have little credibility in Victoria and all media focus is on AFL players who are out of form or returning from injury ... not the rising star who walked in from a club in the 'burbs like the other comps.

[Rik E Boy]

Geelong have kicked ten goals in the last quarter against North Ballarat and look set to be the first team to qualify for the 200 VFL Grand Final. Cats only five points up at lemon time. Let's hope it's a sign of things to come!

GO CATTERS!!

regards,

REB