VFLW Match Report: Round 8 vs Carlton

16/06/2025

A dominant four quarter performance puts us back on the winners list!

Photography by Jake Phillips 

A consistent four quarter performance helped us kick away late, giving us the four points over the blues. 

First Quarter: 

Coming into this matchup we knew we would need a strong performance to get the four points. We started off strong showing our relentless tackle pressure and ability to get numbers to the contest. Despite not getting any scores on the board early, it was a dominant start. Alexandra Hynes provided us with a strong run from our defensive 50 giving us first look at the ball to start the game. Our defence held firm as Carlton started to gain control, but the Blues still managed to kick the first of the game. We continued to work hard, and it showed, as our ability to have numbers at the back of the contest and feed handballs back was imminent. This resulted in an opportunity, which saw Arianna Clarke kick our first goal of the game. For the rest of the quarter our defence held strong not allowing Carlton to score despite their constant inside 50s.

QT:

Sandringham: 1.0  (6)

Carlton:  1.0  (6)

Second Quarter: 

After a tight first quarter we started to showcase our class in the second term, taking control of the game. A big shepherd from Jordan Membrey allowed Makhaela Bluhm to get some space and run into an open goal, kicking the first goal for the quarter and giving us a one goal lead. From then on it was a tight contest and our ability to deny them from exiting our forward half saw us once again hit the scoreboard, as Sophie Locke took a strong mark followed by a great kick for goal. Our backline held down the fort for the final minutes of the quarter as the Blues tried to cut the margin. We finished off the half with a classy end to end transition which saw Arianna Clarke launch a shot from 50, only marginally missing for a minor score. 

HT:

Sandringham:  3.2  (20)

Carlton:  1.0  (6)

Third Quarter: 

As the second half kicked off we managed to control the football early, this resulted in multiple marks inside 50 and shots on goal. We were strong around the ball making it a very contested quarter of footy. Lots of repeat stoppages saw the scoring for the game come to a halt. The first major of the quarter came from Carlton as they kicked a goal at the 12 minute mark. We quickly responded as Jordan Membrey laid a strong forward 50 tackle resulting in her getting a free kick and executing with a beautiful kick for goal. This extended our lead to 15 points, showing that our pressure around the contest was paying off. The rest of the quarter we managed to slow down the play and create stoppages to run down the clock. 

3QT:

Sandringham:  4.4  (28)

Carlton:  2.2  (14)

Fourth Quarter: 

We knew going into the last quarter it would be a hard fight all the way to the final siren. We went hard at the footy and continued to be first to the ball. We managed to keep the ball in our forward 50 for close to the entire quarter, locking the ball in and shutting down Carlton's offence. This was evident as we had four scoring shots to Carlton's zero. Sophie Locke was dominant having two of those scoring shots, one of them being a classy set shot. Chloe Saultry extended the lead to 29 points as she kicked an on the run goal putting an exclamation point on what was a classy and dominant team win. 

Our ability to transition the ball from our backline through run and carry was vital to our strong performance. Alongside our transition, our contested work around stoppages and in backline aerial contests nullified Carlton's ability to score. A consistent four quarter performance allowed us to claim the four points as we look to climb back up the ladder.

Full Time: 

Sandringham Zebras:      1.0   3.2   4.4   6.7   (43)

Carlton Blues:                    1.0   1.0   2.2   2.3   (15)

Goalkickers: Sophie Locke 2, Makhaela Bluhm, Arianna Clarke, Chloe Saultry, Jordan Membrey

Best Players: Deanna Jolliffe, Sophie Locke, Yasmeen Janschek, Imogen Evans, Natasha Entwistle, Chloe Saultry

Visit the VFL website for full stats. 

The Zebs will take on the Western Bulldogs at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday 21st June at 1:05pm. 

Written by Aaron Melis- Sandringham FC Media