Sandringham Zebras VFL Midseason Review
09/06/2025
The Zebs will look to reset as we enter the second half of 2025
With a first-year senior coach in Brendon Goddard and the youngest side in the competition, it’s been a bumpy start to the season for the Zebs. But after some promising results, including a draw with Gold Coast and some competitive outings with Carlton and Frankston, all signs suggest the Zebras still have a lot left to offer in 2025.
Young Zebras shining
With 45 different players having already donned the Zebra stripes in 2025, it has been a pleasing sign to see some of our most youthful stars step up and shine bright. A former Sandringham Dragon, Ethan Williams has been dynamic off half back, winning the ball with ease to average over 20 disposals per game. An efficient ball user with a laser kick, Williams has operated as a slingshot from defence to help us attack from the back 50.
Jonah Campigli has been lively in our forward line, leading all Zebras with 12 goals this year. A high-pressure forward that can leap for the skies, Campigli booted a season-high five goals to help lead us to our first win of the season against Footscray in round four. Trailing him in the goal kicking race is Billy Richardson with eight. A towering weapon that has shown his ability to play at both ends of the ground, Richardson has been deployed by Goddard as both a tall defender and forward, along with almost everything in between, and he has responded with composure well beyond his years. The trio of Williams, Campigli and Richardson are the only three players to feature in every game for the Zebras this year, and a group to keep an eye on for the rest of 2025.
Saints’ contribution
Our alignment with St. Kilda has seen us have a healthy influx of AFL-listed talent throughout various stages of the season. 21 different Saints have featured for the Zebs this year, with Arie Schoenmaker amongst the most reliable, averaging 25.9 disposals and 5.7 marks per game in defence in seven contests. James Barrat and Liam Henry have suited up in the most games, playing in eight apiece, with Barrat becoming a staple in defence and Henry adapting to a new role in the midfield on his way to 17 disposals a game. Harry Boyd has also taken the number one ruck position, connecting well with our midfielders to average 35.1 hitouts per game, the eighth most in the league.
High pressure, contested game
The Zebras have left it all out on the field this season, bringing a contested, high-pressure brand of football to the competition in 2025. We comfortably sit atop of the league in tackles, with our 73.1 per game making clear the emphasis Goddard has put on the defensive side of the game. This physical style has transitioned into attack as well, as we also lead the competition in contested possession percentage, exemplifying our fearlessness in the contest.
Upcoming fixtures
Our season resumes with a big test next week, as we welcome the second-placed Southport Sharks to RSEA Park on Saturday. We will host three more games at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, including a Channel 7 broadcast game in the final round of the season against Essendon. Meanwhile, we will play under the lights for a third time this season, when we head back to Kinetic Stadium to take on Richmond.
Ladder Position: 19th (1W, 1D, 7L)
Top Goal Scorers: Jonah Campigli (12), Billy Richardson (8), Josh Hutchings (6), Max Heath, Liam Henry (4)
Written by Jake Beddard - Sandringham FC