VFL Match Report: Round 9 vs Gold Coast 

26/05/2025

Late heroics from Jack Carroll saw us split the points with the Suns at RSEA Park.

Photography by Jake Phillips 

A neck-and-neck contest all day saw us run home with three goals to earn two points.

A seesawing opening quarter set the tone for the type of game we were in store for. After Gold Coast kicked the opening major of the contest, we responded soon after with a scramble in the goal square that saw Alex Dodson stand tallest to get the ball to his boot and force it through the big sticks. We doubled up shortly after to claim the lead, after Billy Richardson earned a free kick in the forward line, which he calmly went back and made the most of. The Suns returned to the front though and kept us off the scoreboard for the remainder of the quarter, as we were nine points back at the first change. 

We started to build some momentum in the second term, kickstarted by Ned Maginness who kicked a brilliant goal around the corner from nearly 50 metres out. Jack Carroll foreshadowed his heroics later in the day, launching from just inside the arc off a set shot, before Richardson secured his second and third goals of the day in quick succession, helping us take a three-point lead into the main break. 

The third quarter was a more tightly contested, low-scoring affair, with both sides only managing a goal each in the quarter. Hugo Garcia slotted a brilliant running goal early in the period, playing on from a mark to drive one through the sticks from 50 out. The fourth quarter was much more free flowing, with both teams registering three majors each. After we started the term ahead by one, we quickly fell into a hole, with the Suns kicking the first three and leading by 19 at the 25-minute mark. Dan Butler injected some hope back into the contest though, kicking a goal from a set shot before, only moments later, setting Max Heath up similarly who then converted, cutting the deficit to seven. We continued to apply the pressure on the Suns defence, enabling Heath to nearly make it two goals in as many minutes, but he uncharacteristically sprayed one from close range. He importantly earned us a point though to put us down by just six, a handy point which set the stage for Jack Carroll to step up after the siren and launch a bomb from beyond 50 to tie the scores at 72 apiece. 

Top Performers 

Jack Carroll rescued us two points after the siren, but he left his impact on the outing from start to finish, finishing the game with 28 disposals and two goals. He was unafraid to get his hands dirty, coming away with six clearances while also getting busy defensively, applying eight tackles. 

Hugo Garcia similarly found a lot of the footy, winning the ball 27 times, while coming away with nine clearances and six inside-50's. In addition, he worked hard to win the footy back, laying 10 tackles - an equal game-high. He shared those honours with Dan Butler, who also laid 10 tackles, while helping to lead us back in the fourth quarter, kicking the goal that kickstarted the comeback. 

Our defence stood tall as well, with Angus McLennan taking six marks down back and using the ball at 100% efficiency. Ethan Williams had another fine performance from half back, winning the ball 21 times and coming away with six clearances. Billy Richardson found himself in defence at times, but the utility also pushed up the field and kicked an equal game-high three goals, which helped us build momentum throughout the first half.

Sandringham Zebras:              2.0        7.2       8.4       11.6         (72)

Gold Coast Suns:                       3.3        6.5       7.9       10.12       (72)        

Goal Scorers: Billy Richardson (3), Jack Carroll (2), Ned Maginness, Max Heath, Hugo Garcia, Alex Dodson, Jonah Campigli, Dan Butler (1)

Visit the VFL website for full stats. 

The Zebs will be back under the lights next week as we head to Kinetic Stadium to take on Frankston at 7:10pm on Saturday night!

Written by Jake Beddard - Sandringham FC Media