VFL Match Report: Round 14 v Williamstown

30/06/2025

Photography by Ollie Tory

A last quarter charge was almost enough to secure a win, but plenty of good things to build on in the back half of the year.

Heading to DSV Stadium on a crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon, our Zebs were fired up to make a statement and keep their charge alive for the back half of the season. Coming up against the in-form Seagulls, who were riding a hot five-game winning streak, the we knew we'd need to bring our very best. Five changes headlined our team selection, but this clash was about more than just fresh faces - it was a test of spirit.

With Hugo Garcia called up by the Saints, Arie Schoenmaker (19 disposals, three goals) stepped into a permanent midfield role and relished every second on-ball, attending countless centre bounces and adding class and creativity with his silky left foot. Schoenmaker adds to the continuing list of developing midfielders, with Paddy Dow (21 disposals, seven clearances) making it through his second game back from injury unscathed, while Hugh Boxshall (27 disposals, 10 clearances) and Zak Jones (32 disposals, one goal) continued to dominate. 

A lightning-fast clearance out of the middle gave Alex Dodson (19 disposals, four goals) the dream start, clunking a towering mark in the square to open our account inside the first minute. Early on, it was a tense arm wrestle as both sides sized each other up. The Seagulls controlled plenty of the ball in the opening term, but desperate defensive acts from Liam Purcell (10 disposals, two tackles) and Angus McLennan (15 disposals, two tackles) turned them back time and time again. Angus Hastie (23) found plenty of the ball early and slotted our second after some fierce forward pressure, before Dodson stamped his authority again - pulling down a big mark in the square and drilling his second right on the siren to keep the Zebs in touch.

The second quarter turned into a grind, with Williamstown gaining the upper hand around the ball and pinning us deep in defence. We dug deep, none more so than inclusion Jez Rigoni  (16 disposals, eight marks), who floated back to take a gutsy intercept mark that launched our best chain of the term, giving us a chance to push forward. Dodson - proving near-unstoppable in the air - kicked his third for the day, his contested marking a clear standout. From there, it was a battle of defences as both backlines held firm and the midfield contest became a fierce tug-of-war. We headed into the long break 28 points down, but the belief in the rooms said it all - this contest was far from over.

Needing a spark in the third, Boxshall lit the fuse. A bone-rattling tackle just outside the forward 50 earned him a free kick - he set up Patrick Said (10 disposals, four tackles), who calmly split the big sticks from 30 metres out. Schoenmaker added his name to the scoreboard, earning a 50-metre penalty that brought him to 15 metres out after cutting off a clearing Seagulls kick. The margin back to 16 points - and the Zebs were rolling. Zak Jones added another, courageously backing into traffic to mark and goal from the square. Resting forward, Max Heath made his presence felt, pulling down a big grab from a long Lachlan Voss ball to slot our fourth of the term. Despite conceding two late goals, we hit the huddle 26 points down but full of fire - our best footy was matching the league’s hottest side.

Much like the third, the final quarter demanded an early blow, and Heath (37 hitouts, two goals) delivered. Rucking solo without Harry Boyd, he unleashed a booming goal from just inside 50 three minutes in to bring the crowd to life. Boxshall pounced for another, swooping on a loose ball after a Lance Collard shot to finish from the top of the square. With the margin back to just 14 points, the belief was roaring. Down back, McLennan and Hastie stood tall, refusing to give an inch while our ball movement grew braver by the minute.

Schoenmaker kicked his second for the day - again off the back of a 50-metre penalty - dragging us within a single kick. Dodson, already on fire, slotted his fourth on the run to answer a Seagulls reply and keep hope alive. But in a fierce 10-minute surge, Williamstown wrestled back control with three quick goals to steady the ship. Late goals to Latreille and Schoenmaker narrowed the final margin to 11 points, closing out a gutsy contest that showed exactly what this group is made of.

Dodson fires with four majors

Drafted as a ruckman to the Saints last season, Alex Dodson has spent more time inside forward-50 with Max Heath and Harry Boyd sharing the rucking duties. Taking a massive mark in the first 60 seconds and kicking the opening goal of the game, Dodson was invincible in the air, finishing with five marks, four of them contested, across the day in his best game for the club. His presence was felt in the forward 50, and we look forward to his continued development after a great performance. 

Schoenmaker’s treble of goals highlights midfield move

After applying his trade deep in defence in previous seasons, it was a new role for the classy left footer who was thrown into the midfield for the day. He more than held his own, his ball-use by foot providing a point of difference when moving from clearance, and finished with six inside fifties. Being higher up the field, Schoenmaker also enjoyed being able to hit the scoreboard, kicking a career high three goals. There was plenty to like about the move and will be interesting to see if the success of this game has secured the young defender a permanent move into the engine room.

Rigoni’s return marked by courage and crucial intercept

After being in and out of the team throughout the year, Jez Rigoni enjoyed his best game of the season against the Seagulls, collecting 16 touches and eight marks. The best of which came in the second quarter with a big intercept mark, in a bright showing from the young star.

Sandringham Zebras:     3.2  4.6  8.10  14.14    98

Williamstown:                  5.1  9.4  13.6  17.7     109

Best: Jones, Boxshall, Hastie, Dodson, Dow, Collard

Goal kickers: Dodson (4), Schoenmaker (3), Heath (2), Said, Hastie, Boxshall, Latreille, Jones

Visit the VFL website for full stats. 

The Zebs will take on the Box Hill Hawks next Sunday 6th July at Box Hill City Oval in a double header with our VFLW side. VFLW kicks off at 11:35am, followed by VFL at 2:05pm!

Written by Matt Girolami - Sandringham FC Media