The Sandringham Zebras to watch in the VFL
Sandringham coach Jake Batchelor says his side has the list to climb the VFL ladder. He names and profiles seven Zebras to watch in 2023.
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Sandringham Zebras coach Jake Batchelor says it’s a good thing his side kicks off the season against grand finalists Southport in Queensland on Saturday.
He believes an interstate trip will forge a bond among his players.
“It will be good to get away and connect again,” he said.
“We’ve had a camp and we’ve spent 15, 16 weeks together but there’s probably nothing better than travelling as a team for a night and then playing a game of footy together. The club and the boys are looking forward to it.”
Sandringham is again aligned with St Kilda this season.
But Batchelor says the Sandy side this week will have fewer Saints than normal.
“We’ll have them but we will be limited because the Saints have a few injuries,” he said.
“Our VFL list is really healthy and strong.’’
Sandringham finished 12th last year but Batchelor is backing his side to climb the ladder in 2023.
“I think we will definitely improve from last year,” he said.
“Our list is different, with the players we’ve brought in I think it suits the game we want to play this year.”
Sandy’s recruits include:
*Noah Gown (Williamstown)
*Cam Dickie (Dingley)
*Tyrell Lafitunai (St Kilda City)
*Jordan Segar (Old Brighton)
*Mason Hawkins (Box Hill Hawks)
*Sam Latreille (Dandenong Stingrays)
Batchelor comments on seven players to watch in 2023:
Tom Blamires and Jordan Segar
They both missed our list from last year, they both got down to the final five…so they went back to Old Brighton and both played really good football and they’ve come back bigger and stronger and smarter. Those two have got some good exposure in pre-season, they’re bodies have held up and they’ve done a mountain of work. We really like them, we love them as people as well and they’re going to contribute for us really well this year. Both wing/half forwards who can just run all day for us and that’s going to be crucial.
Noah Gown
We got him as a key forward from Williamstown. He was on Essendon’s list for two years. We played against him in the last round of the year and he kicked four goals against us and looked really good. His brother Will is on the list as well. He’s a good key forward, he’s a little bit undersized but he can run, he can jump and he’s just ultra aggressive and always brings the ball to ground so Noah Gown is going to be someone we’re going to put a lot of focus on this year and there’s going to be a lot of ball go through him. He’s a big presence up forward and we like what he brings.
Dan Frampton
He’s coming back for his third year with us now. He’s a medium tall from Red Hill. So smart, he just reads the play so well, he knows when he can defend, he knows when he can drop off and help a teammate. He’s a footballer. Really, really happy to have him again for the year.
Will Dunne
From Bonbeach, with back and hip injuries over the last couple of years he hadn’t actually put together a big body of work but he’s relished everything we’ve throw him so far this pre-season. He’s got a good mix of lock down small back but he can also run and carry and he’s got an elite kick and a really good decision maker. He’s going to be someone we will look to progress relatively quickly because he’s got the scope.
Darby Hipwell
He is someone we expect to take his game to the next level. We played him as a half forward last year and admittedly that probably wasn’t to his benefit — it was good for the team — but we haven’t been able to see the best of Darby yet. He’s got elite hands as an inside mid and he’s got a really good balance of toughness and he can also run really well and get ahead of the game really well. He’s one we’re expecting big things from and we will support him through that.
Jake Lohmann
Came to us from Maryborough. His brother Kai plays for Brisbane and Jake plays in a very similar way, he’s a bit taller and can play around the midfield and high half forward and he’s just a great leader, really powerful and aggressive and I just smile when I think about the way he plays the game. He plays the right way. And he brings other players along with him.
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