VFL Match Report: Round 3 vs Brisbane

04/04/2026

Our first away game for 2026 at Brighton Homes Arena in Brisbane saw the Zebras hold on to a thrilling seven-point win against the Lions. On his Sandringham debut, Bode Stevens showed some promising signs in the midfield with 13 disposals. The terrific (15.8) 98 to (13.13) 91 win highlighted excellent momentum, grit and resilience from the whole team on Good Friday.

It was a tough opening with the play in the backline as Brisbane kicked two. However, this created opportunities for Ben Stephenson’s defensive pressure to really shine. We rebounded with a clean play from Darcy Chirgwin’s contested win to Stevens as he set Noah Yze up on the 50m for our first. The Zebs caught the Lions off guard by changing angles as Andreas Stefanakis handed it to Kyle Cooper, hitting Willis Reidy as he slotted his first of three for the day. Stefanakis kicked two to level out the scores heading into the second term.

We maintained our momentum with Nathan Philactides’ precise kick to Liam Purcell, helping him hit the scoreboard. Despite the wet conditions, we stayed composed as Reidy and Jess Gedi put us in front by 18. Gedi’s contested wins and Daniel Pinter’s clearances gained significant distance on the ball which were crucial in these tough weather conditions.

Reidy seamlessly dribbled it through the goals, showcasing his ability to think and execute on his feet (literally)! Cooper kicked a massive career first, shortly followed by Jack Ferraro from the same spot just inside the arc. Ferraro went back-to-back, rounding out the first half as we led by 38 heading into the main break.

The third term was reasonably quieter for us as Brisbane attempted to climb back. This did not stop Reidy as his agility to impressively evade the Lions assisted Stephenson as he kicked his career first VFL goal. After a burst of Brisbane goals, Yze broke their run with the support of Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott and Josh Hutchings in a textbook uncontested forward entry. We led by 14 as we headed into the final term.

With a big final quarter ahead, Purcell grasped this opportunity as he once again kicked us off to start the term. Desperate to crawl back, the Lions kicked a couple with a competitively contested ball. Kirkwood-Scott’s defensive pressure to chase and smother did not go unnoticed as the Lions’ momentum dropped. Brodie Atkins came in hot with a much-needed tackle and topped it off with a goal on the siren!

Ferraro reflected on the win as a “great moment for the squad”, especially on an away trip. He claimed that the team’s structure to “get in the right spots” and “fighting late” were both crucial elements for the win in Brisbane.

Cooper was outstanding in his second VFL game as he collected 23 disposals, laid four tackles and kicked a major. Pinter was again very consistent with 29 hit-outs and five tackles. Ethan Williams and Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott got around the ball with 22 and 21 disposals respectively, along with Williams having laid four tackles and Kirkwood-Scott’s seven marks.

We now have a well deserved bye and look towards our next home game at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval when we face North Melbourne on Saturday 18 April at 2:05pm.

Scores

Sandringham: 4.2, 11.5, 13.5, 15.8 (98)

Brisbane: 4.2, 5.3, 10.9, 13.13 (91)

Disposals: Cooper 25, Williams 23, Chirgwin 23, Kirkwood-Scott 22, Philactides 19.

Goals: Reidy 3, Ferraro 2, Purcell 2, Stefanakis 2, Yze 2, Atkins, Cooper, Gedi, Stephenson.