By Roy Ward
KNOWING that it will face some desperate sides over the next four weeks, Sandown isn’t looking too far ahead.
The Cobras have a difficult four-match stretch – three away games against borderline finals sides and a massive home game against Doveton Eagles.
The Cobras started their stretch with a focused 44-point win over Dandenong at Greaves Reserve on Saturday.
After a close-run opening term, the Cobras broke away to a three-goal lead midway through the second term behind the smart play of their forward line, led by returned full forward Clint Sheedy.
The Redlegs got within two goals early in the final term, but despite some skillful and committed play they would get no closer as the visitors pulled away in the final 10 minutes. Sheedy took his personal tally to 10 goals amid cries of “Sheeeeeday” from Cobras supporters.
Sheedy returned to the club at the start of the season and has managed 28 goals from eight games leading into the Redlegs match.
As cold winds and slight rain appeared throughout the day, Sheedy still managed to take several clean pack marks and scored most of his goals from within 20 metres including a snap from deep in the forward pocket and a soccer goal midway through the third term.
Cobras coach Mick Rossborough said his full forward had shown the way on a day when the Cobras were consistently tested.
“To kick 10 of our 16 goals says a lot about his performance,” he said. “He has had a few fives and sixes but that was his first bag since coming back.”
The Cobras were jubilant to have won with a good margin but Rossborough has urged his players to maintain their focus in similar circumstances over the next few matches.
“We have a tough draw and we will face sides that are in fifth or sixth position and will be desperate for a win. So we have to match those sides’ desperation and make sure we don’t look too far ahead.”
Rossborough also praised the Redlegs and said the margin of the game was not an indication of their abilities.
“They have some good players and are pretty skillful. The scoreboard says what it says but they are a better side and were right with us for much of the day, which makes our second half so pleasing.
“We weren’t winning the contested footy in the first half, but I was happy with our efforts after half time.”
Redlegs coach Daniel Atkin said his side had put in an improved effort but he would start looking to add more young players to the side.
“Our endeavour was 100 per cent better this game,” he said. “We got close in the fourth quarter and were in it for much of the day. They just got away at the end.”
Atkin said the Redlegs needed to keep pushing themselves at training and were heartened by the form of several young players in the reserves.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Follow the Greater Dandenong Weekly on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
